How do you know if your season is up at a ministry? What are the signs and symptoms?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Erica M. Wilson on December 31, 2008 at 3:44am

Here are some signs/symptoms
1. You no longer feel you have anything to give
2. It feels like a job you don't want to do or go to
3. When you cringe at the sight or the name of peole in the ministry
4. When you want to stay home instead to working in the ministry
5. When it no longer excites you to be a part of God's Kingdom

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rachel Williams on December 31, 2008 at 1:28pm

By reading what your symptons are regarding "when it is time to leave a ministry," I believe what you are saying implies burn out. A person who has arrived at this point needs to reevaluate where they are. Your relationship with the Lord seems to be in jeopardy. When you are working for the Lord, He will tell you when it is time to leave and it will be on a high note instead of a low point. I have a friend that moved from here when everything was going great for her and her spouse. The Lord sent them to another area to minister the gospel and everyone including me was upset, but I understand they had to do what the Lord said to do. I keep in touch with her.

If you are not excited about the things of God, you need to seek the Lord for guidance and look at yourself. It sounds as though it is you. Were you hurt in the ministry? Did someone say something out of the way that was offensive to you? Do you feel like you don't fit in?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mary McClendon on January 1, 2009 at 8:33pm

Wow! I have never heard the phrase my time\season is up at church? I have heard that when things do not go according to "our plans" that maybe it is not your time\season. I will relate to this question on "my own PERSONAL level." First we must be true to ourselves in servicing CHRIST. A lot of time we get so wrapped up in "playing church" and when we get to a low point in our lives we want to give up i. e letting someone dictate to us what we should or should not do. I had this happen to me a while back. I did not give up BUT I got PRAYED up. I also found my weakest moment is my strongest because that is when you can really get personal with Christ on a real PURE level. We are all familiar with the saying living a CHRISTIAN life is not easy, BUT we can see "those" who do not live a christian life have EVERYTHING going for them. My thoughts on that is live your life to the fullest on EARTH my reward is waiting for me in HEAVEN. Secondly, if we are studying and prayful we have a wonderful GUIDELINE (the Bible) that gives us the answer to any and all questions. Thirdly, if it is ever a point in time where we are not EXCITED about entering and continually want to endure the GRACE of GOD we need to do some soul searching. God does not fail us, we fail HIM. My final thought on this is to make sure you are praying without ceasing, for me, this is the only way I can overcome adversity. Remember we are GODs children and at times when we get out of hand we have to be chastised (Deut 8:5, Proverbs 3:11,12) If I have enlightened the dialogue, I would only say to continue to be true in your faith and pray continously.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dr. Mary Mockinbird Martin on January 3, 2009 at 4:11am

Good early morning Toi! It is @ 3:30am. I wole up and came directly to the computer. I was directed to your question. "How do U know if your season is up at a Ministry?" I think it was meant for me to respond.

Toi, I started my ministry on radio in 1979, it was called "Spiritual Inspirations," I taught the Word of God, and played some music. Let me pause here to note that my Spiritual Gifts are, Singing (since age 2), Teaching(since age 15), and Preaching; I accepted my call in1995, I was, after attending College, Seminaries, Bible College, was Certified to teach, licensed, Ordained,, and later studied and received my Doctorated in Divinity.

In 1985 I was hired at a local Radio Station as an on Air Personality, my Radio Misinstry continued, The name canged to, M,A.R.Y's (My Arms Round Youth)Outreach Ministry. I was able to minister at a higher level,thru Music, and the Word. I was my passion. In 2008 our station as a Gospel Station, was closed down. After that I felt that maybe my time was up, being a Seasoned Saint, I knew that trying to compete in the World of Announcer was over.

During and since Radio, I have, and still do, teach an Outreach Sunday School Class, and I am now trying to get the Christian Board of Education to allow me to teach at the local level in the Institutes. I was certified years ago.

Since Radio, I now fill that maybe my effectiveness, and usefulness is about over.Like in the Bibical days, once you became a seasoned citizen, the younger generation does not see U as useful. Even though U have a great deal of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding from God, there are those who see U as useless.

Currently I have a Radio Ministry on AM 1600 on Sunday Evenings, but due to a lack of response, I think maybe it is time I give it up. I am at a place now where I am beginning to think "My season is up as a public figure," I am here to lend my expertise to anyone who ask of me, or need me.

Keep me in your prayers & thoughts.
Dr. Mary Mockinbird Martin

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rachel Williams on January 5, 2009 at 2:55pm

Dr. Martin,

Even though you may feel that your time is up on the readio, what has God said about it? I know that someone was reached when they heard you on the air. I hear you when you say that YOU "feel that your usefulennes and effectiveness is about over", but there is no retirement in the kingdom of God. The bible states that he calls the young because they are strong and the older because they know the way. Your usefullness is not up until you have completed your assignment and God calls you home to be with Him. Begin to fast and seek God for new direction in the ministry that He has given unto you. Don't give up because it is not the time to throw in the towel.

God bless and keep you in His divine favor.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dr. Mary Mockinbird Martin on January 11, 2009 at 6:14pm

Rachel, good advice. A new direction is what I may nedd to look into.
Thank U

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Apostle Champagne on February 16, 2009 at 12:25pm

raise the Lord Mother of Zion!!
I am reminded of a story, where a man was called into ministry and felt that he wouldn't make a difference. So he didn't want to preach. One day while walking through the park he heard the voice of the Lord saying Preach,Preach. He responded i don't have no one to preach too. A roach was crawling on the ground and the Lord said preach to the roach, alittle reluctant he said roach THE LORD LOVES YOU AND TODAY IF YOU HEAR MY VICE HARDEN NOT YOUR HEART OPEN UP I WILL COME IN UNTO YOU afterward he looked up on the bridge crossing the river and saw a man about to jump, but because he heard the message he changed his mind. You'll never know how many souls you've reached or who even heard you. On man planteth, One man waters and God gives the increase. The race is not given to swift or to the strong, but unto he that endureth.
HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT
Apostle Champagne

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robert A. Ellis on January 5, 2009 at 12:21pm

You are just brunt out with the situation. I felt that way about the choir and I had a situation in my life that helped with that feeling. I found myself not really caring about singing, being on time and giving my best. God did not give us talents to waste them, so I found another job in the ministry and I love it and do it very well if not better than when I was in the choir. You just know when it is time to let go. It's just more difficult when it comes to the will of God for you. You feel like if I quit I am letting God down. If you do nothing and let it go by the wayside then yes, you have let Him down. But find something else you love and make it work for you and enhance the kingdom.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dr. Mary Mockinbird Martin on January 11, 2009 at 6:13pm

Thank U my brother!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Toi on January 5, 2009 at 1:39pm

First I would like to say HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I would like to thank each and every one of you for your, transparency, opinions and insight on this topic. Each one of you all brought something different to the table. This is truly awesome. so far I have learned :
1) God will let you know (hear from Him)
2) distinguish "burn out" from from "time up"
3) follow the guidelines(The Word of God)
4) I must follow the vision of the house (where 2 visions are there is division) if i can't it might be time to go.
5) if you have any signs/symptoms as E. Wilson stated (it might be time to go)
I hope this has helped someone who may have felt like any of the things mentioned in this discussion.

I also would like to especially thank Dr. Mockingbird for your awesome testimony because that truly blessed me and surely some others here on bygodinspired. and I would like to encourage you and tell you "it aint over till God says its over" You truly have been a solider on the battlefield for the the Lord and also you have walked this christian Journey doing what thus said the Lord. I believe that each marching order you got you carried it out until the assignment was finished and completed. As you completed one assignment you were given another set of marching orders. God moved you from one assignment to the next so well done thy good and faithful servant. Please do not think that you are not useful, you are very useful and full of wisdom and knowledge . I have learned from you just from reading your post. May God bless each and everyone of you.

If there are more out there i welcome you to this discussion.
Peace and blessings,
Toi

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mary McClendon on January 5, 2009 at 1:47pm

Amen! Toi have a wonderful day!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Toi on January 7, 2009 at 10:15am

you too!

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page