Tough option need some help...

[Daniel_T]

Ok so heres the story.

I have been leading worship at a smaller church on staff for roughly 2 years now. No suprise we are struggling financially and we are now on a what comes in for offering is all we have. We are out of savings and there is no other expenses we can cut. We have been around for 7 or so years and do not have a building we just meet in a gym.
I really do like this church but from month to month my job is on the line based on the offering and I worry that when summer comes and we see our usual drop in attendance that I will be gone.

There is a large church in town that had a rough spot a few years ago but has just recently exploded with more members due to a new pastor and they are hiring for a worship leader now and they are the only church in a 400 mile radius doing so. The rest of my family actually goes to this church its just at the time i was looking for a worship leader job they weren't hiring.

The pay really isn't important as all I care about is having enough food on the table. But it is almost 5 times what I make now and would finally enable both me and my wife to go through college. It hurts to think of leaving my church family but I'm worried this opportunity will pass by and then I'll be laid off.

Spent a lot of time in prayer.
My wife supports either decision.

What would you do? and do you need more info.

[webebo]

I don't envy your priority balance you are attempting here. And I do believe it is about priorities. I hesistate to tell you to do anything, because I don't know the whole situation and I am not God. But this is what came to mind as I read...

Are you ready for the step of faith it will take to stay at your current location? What I mean by that is this, is God telling you to stay or to leave? If he is telling you to stay, I would stay and watch the Lord work through your faith. If he is telling you to leave and take advantage of the opportunity, then go. You do have to provide responsibly for the family God gave you, but you would be doing them an injustice to not lean on God in this time.

I would also go to your current pastor and ask for his advice. He knows and sees the situation you are in and could be valuable in your decision. He should be willing to advise you correctly and without becoming bitter over the fact you are even thinking about leaving. You are trying to do the right thing, period.

I would also ask some close respected mentors or people that have already spoken into your life. I think God will use all of this to let you know.

Hope I helped a little bit and didn't get to confusing. I will be praying for you.

[milepost13]

God, family, ministry. Those must be your priorities. If staying with this church is either a detriment to your relationship with God or your family (or both), then you need to leave. Going to another church should be the second part of that decision, IMO.

Nate

[Smitty]

Nate strikes again! Well said, my friend!

Smitty

[Daniel_T]

Nate strikes again! Well said, my friend!

Smitty

Very true Nate. I feel like the loss of work would be bad for my family as far as making ends meet but I'm not sure how God is leading me. I feel like I would be serving him regardless of which place I served I just don't know if this is an opportunity God is giving me or if it is a temptation to test my faith.

[louca]

Daniel, I can't add much to what has been stated. I do think that as we ask God what we should do, I think sometimes he leaves the option up to us. That is, if you do not sense that God is leading you particularly in either direction, maybe he feels both are fine and is just wanting you to decide. Just something to consider.

Lou

[goodnewsrev]

I agree with milepost13 that your priorities should be God, family, ministry. As you seek God He will guide your choice and open the door for your to provide for your family.

[worshiptheKing]

I agree with Nate as well.

Let me add this. I was in a simlar situation, looking for a more full time ministry opportunity. I had already left a part time position for other reasons. I interviewed/auditioned for a huge church. Had everything i thought I wanted in a worship pastor's position. I went, I saw, I realized, that was not where God wanted me.

Go through the process, continue to seek God's will and He will provide an answer.

I withdrew from consideration and eventually accepted an unpaid worship pastor's position, but I know it is where God wants me.

[fmckinnon]

I agree. Nothing wrong with looking. God's peace will be absent if this move isn't for you. And after all, it's not like they've offered you the job - you're just looking into it right now, correct?

[Daniel_T]

I agree. Nothing wrong with looking. God's peace will be absent if this move isn't for you. And after all, it's not like they've offered you the job - you're just looking into it right now, correct?

Not officially. But I know a few of the members on the search commity (Friends of family) and they have asked why I haven't applied yet. So I know there is definate interest from them.

[Don_Z]

Here is another option that you may think about. Your current church seems to be somewhat fluid. They may consider working around your schedule a bit so you can take the WL leader position at this other church then come to them and volunteer to help them for a later service. They in fact would come out ahead and you would be serving God by helping your family and both scenarios. Pastors sometimes have to split between two churches when there is not enough funding to go around to support them at one. Maybe this is worth pursuing.

[Sambekzx]

Here is another option that you may think about. Your current church seems to be somewhat fluid. They may consider working around your schedule a bit so you can take the WL leader position at this other church then come to them and volunteer to help them for a later service. They in fact would come out ahead and you would be serving God by helping your family and both scenarios. Pastors sometimes have to split between two churches when there is not enough funding to go around to support them at one. Maybe this is worth pursuing.

This is a great insight. I doubt any pastor would force your family to starve for the sake of your time availability. I would bring this up with the pastor first thing.