[McNairMail] re: getting a job

[rodneyprice at sbcglobal.net]

G'Day, McNair!

I was very interested to read your email of last week.  So glad to hear that Wes and Judy had the opportunity to help you sort things out, materially and otherwise.

You used a term in the email that I'm going to use (due credit given to you, of course).  You described the "fog of overwhelm" and that is where I am at the moment.  I am the only pastor at a church that over 300 people would call their church with no foreseeable possibility of additional staff.  I have a wife and four daughters that all want more attention from me.  The maintenence of a house, yard and three cars is mostly my responsibility.  I'm getting depressed and overwhelmed just writing all this.  The fog of overwhelm is my life right now.

Add to that the frustration of years of not seeing anywhere near the kind of positive response from the church as I did at the two other churches where I've served.  This last fall they stupidly took an area of ministry away from me which I enjoy immensely and in which I excel and which man people appreciated.  They reiterated their displeasure with my performance in areas in which I do not excel and told me to focus on that with no offer to help.  Playing to one's strength is not a concept they are familiar with, nor do they want to learn it.  Rather than developing god-given gifts to their full potential, they are focussed on traditional roles.  They can now focus on my backside as I head out the door.  It's time to look elsewhere.  

After I made the decision to begin figuring out what to do instead of this ministry, I began to sleep much better.  My overall energy level is better.  I don't even hate going to the office as much as I did now that I am looking to leave.  Which brings me to the reason for writing you.

In my search, I came across a church in your general area that is without a pastor and may need some help filling the pulpit on occasion.  I don't know anybody at the church nor have I been there.  Just saw the ad for senior pastor and thought you might find an opportunity to get some bills paid while they are between pastors.

Hope Ev. Free
2701 Noriega St.
San Francisco, CA

www.hopeefc.com

New subject:  it is amazing to me that 15 publishers have turned down your brainstorming book.  My first thought when I read that was, "Damn, I wish I had a publishing company so I could get that book!"  Then the thought occurred to me, "Maybe this is an act of God; preventing the book from being accepted until it was refined more than it had been or until the right publisher was contacted."  I am confident God is refining and focussing you through all of this.

One of the resources that is helping me is a book entitled 48 Days to the Work You Love.  It's written by Dan Miller, president of The Business Source, specializing in creative thinking for personal and business background development, according to the back cover.  He's in Franklin, TN so maybe Ken knows him.  Some of what you describe in your job search sounds like what he recommends.  It has confirmed why I am feeling like my life sucks.  My life does suck and it's mostly on me for the choices I've made.  I am making new choices and this book is helping me ask the right questions.  Along with church opportunities I am looking at colleges for teaching and campus pastor openings.  My 15 year old wants me to be her youth pastor.  At least that's what she says and since she didn't immediately follow that up with any requests it might be the truth.

I was very interested to read that you missed being part of a team that works on projects from beginning to end, seeing the development of the project and the people on the team.  I can see that in you.  I'm glad you are looking for opportunities that fit some of your passions that did not have a consistent outlet.  I'm in the same process but not as far along as you are.

What is an A,B,B,B,C list?  Sounds like something that might help me.  I often feel like I'm running from project to project and neglecting important things that need to be done.  Some greater focus and priority sounds like what I need.

I'm praying for you, the rent money, the books, the job search and life changes.  Have a great day.

Looking forward to seeing what happens,

Rodney Price
Canton, Ohio (for now)

P.S.  I just had another thought.  (That's three thoughts before 9 am.  It's going to be a good day!)  The guy who wrote 48 Days to the Work You Love also has a non-traditional web publishing business and a non-traditional distribution business for hard copy books.  It might be worth taking a look at what he can offer you.  His web site is www.48days.com 
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