A Church for Everyone...Except for Me

As many of you know, I'm beginning the part-time/full-time job search for when we leave support in May. My tension here is trying to find a job that pays enough for our one-income family to live on (that is, eat and pay rent), while not having to work an excessive amount of hours in order to somehow stay full-time in seminary.

While I've not been at it too long (I don't need a job until June), the prospects have been less than encouraging, both in terms of pay and opportunity. Honestly, I just don't know how people live on minimum wage (or a little above), but I guess I'm on my way to finding out soon enough.

So, for kicks (and just to test the waters a bit), I applied for the role of "student ministries director" at a church (which will remain unnamed) here in town. While not my preference for reasons of possibly having to leave Memorial or to stop teaching at Wildwood (neither of which I want to do, and have communicated as much with my pastor and headmaster so they're aware of my intentions), I figured it didn't hurt to inquire.

What was the position? Overseeing the junior high, high school, and college ministries (approximately 200 students), something I've had ten years of similar experience doing at Eagle Lake, and written about (at least with regard to twenty-somethings) in TwentySomeone. While I tried not to think too arrogantly about it, I thought I might be a good candidate.

Earlier this week, I received a letter from the senior pastor of the church in response to the inquiry email/resume I sent him. At the top of the stationery was the church's slogan: "...a church for everyone!" Here's what it said:

"Thank you for taking the time to inquire about our Student Ministries Pastor position. It is obvious after considering your resume that you are passionate about making a difference in others' lives. That is exciting!

It does seem, however, after carefully reviewing what appear to be your strengths, gifts, and ministry history, and evaluating these areas in light of what we're seeking for this position, that we would not be a right 'fit' for each other. Thank you, though, for taking the time to prayerfully consider our staff position."

Of course, this was the pastor's prerogative and I'm sure he had his reasons (though I doubt very much they had to do with my "strengths, gifts, and ministry history" - I'm guessing denominational concerns were more the reason, and that's fine). However, I did have to laugh at the irony of getting a rejection letter with the slogan "...a church for everyone!" at the top. It may be "a church for everyone," but it's apparently not for me.

Random ministry lesson #4,329: Give thought to the myriad of purposes the church stationery will serve before settling on some slogan too cheesy, happy, and shiny. (Actually - stationery or other - don't settle on a cheesy, happy, shiny slogan at all.)