Making Decisions About Your Future (Local)
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Teaching Outline
Intro
Intro
STORY? Getting lost in Buffalo after the concert
Without turn by turn directions, I struggled to reach my destination.
As your time at RSM winds down, we want to guide you so that you reach your destination.
At RSM, our goal is not just to send you into 8 months of ministry, but to send you out into a lifetime of ministry.
Year 3 is a bridge into FT ministry, and you’re nearly halfway across the bridge.
But now--
It’s time to lift your eyes to the other side and start walking across the second half of the bridge so that you reach your destination.
It’s time to start preparing for what’s next.
Before you know it, you’ll be serving God in ministry all on your own.
You’ve been in training, but the time is coming soon for you to leave the nest and step out into life and ministry on your own.
Through this transition, RSM will encourage you and guide you, but this is your decision.
It’s your life and your choice.
--
I know some of you guys have been pondering this already.
Others of you might feel like you just got started—why are we talking about this already? I just want to focus on my ministry right now.
But the time is coming soon for you to leave RSM and step into ministry on your own.
—
Has anyone considered raising support for their next step?
The truth is, if you are raising support for your next step, you have to make plans earlier than the residents who aren’t raising support.
It takes longer because you may have to raise additional support for a few months.
It takes longer because you may have to get documentation together for your visa if you’re going overseas.
It takes longer because you have to process all the logistics of moving to another country permanently.
Because the transition takes longer, it’s critical to start thinking about it now.
One of the pitfalls that you want to avoid is coming back home without a clear plan.
--
If you want to have a smooth transition, you need to have a plan in place ahead of time.
So you need to start exploring your options now, getting things in place for after graduation.
This is especially important for those of you who are on support.
If you are planning to stay on support, it’s very financially significant that you maintain your financial support base throughout your transition.
If you finish Year 3 without a plan for your next step, supporters will drop off your team in May because your ministry is done. Then if you get a plan together for your next step after 2-3 months, you will probably only get around 50% of them to start supporting you again. And it will take lots of calls and meetings to get back even to that 50%.
Those numbers aren’t guesses. We have literally seen this in residents who come home without a plan for their next step.
So if you can have a clear plan in place, you can communicate that to your supporters and maintain those donors throughout your transition.
After you come home, you will have about 4 weeks to wind down the school year. During that time and after graduation, you could have more support meetings and launch back out to the mission field this summer without skipping a beat.
If you’re planning to get a ministry job at a church or nonprofit, there is a little less time pressure, but you need to know that the hiring process for churches tends to move more slowly than the business world.
Ministry is so personal that the hiring process is also personal. A church wants to get to know you and make sure that you’re a good fit on a personal level as well as a professional level.
They want to have at least a small idea of your character, too. And it just takes time to check your references and get to know you. Sometimes there has to be an elder meeting too, depending on how that church is structured.
So your transition is going to take a little time.
Ideal Ministry Launch Timeline
Ideal Ministry Launch Timeline
Handout
This is the ideal timeline. It won’t look exactly like this for all of you, but in a perfect world, following this rough timeline will help you launch effectively into your ministry.
TALK THROUGH HANDOUT
If you’re an RSM staff resident who is going on an expedition, you may need to do some of the preparatory work before the expedition leaves.
Each one’s timeline will look slightly different
Our goal is for all of you to have a next step in place for soon after graduation.
Not every single student will be in vocational ministry right away, but some of you will be.
I would encourage all residents to pursue a ministry role of some sort unless it is very clear that you need to do something else for your next step.
That’s why you did Year 3, right?
What we want to help you avoid is to graduate with no sense of what to do next.
We don’t want you to flounder, just getting whatever job you can, and never start in ministry.
Tips for processing next steps:
Tips for processing next steps:
If you want to be in vocational ministry ASAP, be willing to move somewhere else for a position. Your options will be very limited in Kalamazoo.
However, it might not be worth a move for a part-time position.
Don’t base your decision based on who you want to be around, but on what God is asking you to do.
With prayer, narrow down your options to a specific category or two. Too many options will cause you to be too passive about the process.
In some cases, you might need a temporary next step instead of a long-term one.
Exploring your options:
Exploring your options:
If you have a specific location where you want to do ministry, could you develop some contacts in that place?
What churches or ministries do I need to learn more about? (website, Zoom call?)
Search job hunting websites like churchstaffing.com, indeed.com, radiant.church/jobs, etc.
Talk to me, one on one, Toby, P. Sonny?
Ask key supporters and leaders to pray for/with you
Ask the Lord for a Scripture
Talk to spiritual leaders about your next step (1 on 1 leader)
Be open to non-ideal opportunities, but try to narrow your focus somewhat so that there’s not endless possibilities.
Tips for ministry job hunting:
Tips for ministry job hunting:
Get your resume ready and have someone with experience look it over. You may need different versions for different roles.
The Job Skills class will help you prepare your resume and get ready for job interviews.
Identify the types of roles that you would want to take at a church.
Identify where you would be willing to move and what locations are too far away.
Be willing to work your way up within a church or a ministry. Don’t despise the day of small beginnings.
Support staff in a larger church
Pastor in a small church
Part time role
Student pastors, children’s pastors, worship pastors, and administrators are the most common needs for churches.
Larger churches have more staff and may have more specific roles like outreach director, music director, middle school pastor, groups pastor, etc.
Administrators are usually hired from within the congregation. Pastors or directors are more likely to be outside hires.
If possible, get a job with a Radiant network church. But there may not be open positions that fit your ministry vision, or there may not be something close enough geographically for you.
If you are seriously considering a church in another city or state, being on site can be really helpful for the decision making process.
When you review a job listing, check their statement of faith and identify their denomination/network.
Do you agree with their statement of faith?
Are their any non-essentials that could create tension or even conflict?
Let friends in ministry know that you’re searching for a job. Many ministry jobs come through existing connections.
If they contact you back for an interview, take the interview if there’s any chance at all that you’d consider it. An interview does not equate to accepting a position.
Ask about their staff culture.
Don’t ask about pay until they bring it up. Many churches will post a salary range, but it’s dependent upon training and experience.
——
How do you guys feel about seeing this all laid out in this timeline?
On a scale of 1-10, how much certainty do you have about what to do for your next step right now?
You guys are going to be processing some significant decisions in the next several months.
You might be thinking “This feels overwhelming. I have to decide what I want to do with my life in the next few months, and I don’t even feel settled in my residency yet. This is too much pressure!”
And that is ok and perfectly normal to feel that way.
But it’s better to freak out in January than in April!
--
So as you freak out, I want to encourage you guys today from God’s word. I want to talk about your heart attitude as you walk through this transition.
Your heart attitude will determine whether you thrive during this upcoming transition.
It’s a big decision. It’s a lot of pressure. It’s hard to know which direction to choose.
But you can trust that God knows the best way forward!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Central Truth: God’s way is the best way—you can trust Him.
4 Heart Attitudes That Are Crucial During Transitions:
Trusting in God
Trusting in God
Transitions test your trust in God.
Even me mentioning transition is bringing up a sense of insecurity in some of you.
But every transition is a fresh opportunity to trust God.
We never graduate from needing to trust God.
STORY—Trusting God when leaving NY for WA, WA for PA, PA for MI, etc.
Will you trust Him enough to move to another place to serve Him?
TRANSITION: Because God is with you, you can be at peace through every transition.
Reliance on God’s wisdom.
Reliance on God’s wisdom.
Your understanding is part of the picture, but are you leaning on His wisdom? Are you leaning on your own understanding?
STORY—Praying about youth min in Rochester
TRANSITION: If I had relied upon my own wisdom, I would have gotten on the wrong path.
Your wisdom is not enough. Pray for guidance and wisdom from God (James 1:5)
Sources of godly wisdom: revelation from the Holy Spirit, Scripture (ultimate source), parents, RSM leaders, other spiritual leaders
Read the Scriptures and ask for God to highlight a specific passage to you.
Ask God for wisdom.
Get input from godly leaders.
Seeking to know Him along the journey
Seeking to know Him along the journey
Road trip with Rob back to Elim
Road trips with Heather
acknowledge-yada-know
ways-“derek”: journey, road, path, conduct
This transition is an invitation to know the Lord more intimately
God wants you to know him, to acknowledge him, at each part of your journey.
He will connect with you more deeply, He will reveal more about Himself, He is after your heart as you go through this process.
The ultimate goal is not just to land a long-term ministry position, the goal is TO KNOW HIM.
All of the changes that you’ll face in the coming few years will test your commitment to unhurried time with Jesus.
Keep knowing Him as your priority along the journey.
Letting Him set your trajectory
Letting Him set your trajectory
Kingdom Force
Ways/paths parrallelism (derek, orah)
paths--”Orah”: paths, way of life
Make straight (straighten)-make right (integrity)
One of my pet peeves is twisted up cables that have been abused. I wish I could straighten the cables back out again, but I can’t.
But God can straighten out our life direction. Even if you get a little off track.
If you let Him, He will make straight your way of life.
Your trajectory will be right when you let Him direct you.
Even if it doesn’t make sense to you or to the world, trust His guidance.
His way is better! You can trust Him.
Harbor Lights
Harbor Lights
4 factors to line up when you make big decisions:
My inner sense of God’s leading
SEEK God for guidance (fasting)
Remove distractions
Scripture
Ask the Lord for a Scripture
Be consistent in your daily Scripture reading.
Spiritual leaders
Schedule a time to talk with trusted spiritual leaders.
Brainstorm some potential next step options with them.
Trust their input.
Inner peace
Pay attention to whether or not you feel peace in your spirit about your options.
Don’t rush ahead if you don’t have peace about it. Take time to explore a little more and wait on God.
If you don’t have peace, go back to the Lord for guidance. “Why don’t I feel peace, Lord?”
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Even if you don’t have a plan yet, God has a plan!
God has prepared good works for you to do. He has designed you and developed you, and now it’s time for you to walk in them.
He crafted you for the purpose that He has for you.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
You can be sure that God will complete His work through and in you.
God started it, and He will finish it!
Keep your eyes on His return. He has a mission for you to do before He returns. If you serve Him, you will hear “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
——
Big changes are ahead for all of you.
You can trust the process. You can trust that God knows the best way forward for you.
He is going to guide you. He is going to help you. It may be difficult, and it may not go as expected, but God’s way is the best way.
Closing
Closing
On a scale of 1-5, how nervous are you about transitioning from RSM into independent ministry? (Hold up fingers)
Say “I trust You God”
RSM Staff pray over residents
Processing Next Steps (Worksheet)
Processing Next Steps (Worksheet)
Immediately following over lunch?
After lunch?
1 on 1 with staff
On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your experience in your residency? Why did you choose that rating?
What have you learned about yourself in your residency?
What have you learned about ministry? How does this impact your future ministry?
In what ways did you thrive in your ministry?
What part of your ministry was a struggle for you? Is this something that you need to grow in or not?
Is there a specific type of ministry that God is calling you to? Rank your top three from this list: kids, students, college, worship, groups, senior pastor, church planter, missions, humanitarian, or pioneering a new ministry
1.
2.
3.
What type of ministry would you do after your residency if you knew you could not fail?
What is the biggest hurdle that could stop you from stepping into full time ministry after this year?
What goals could you set that would help you overcome that hurdle?
What goals could you set that will help you make the most of the second half of your residency?
What steps could you take in the next few months to investigate your options for your next step in ministry?
Do you need a temporary next step or a long-term next step?
Is there anything else that you could do to prepare for your next step?
What are your biggest fears about stepping into full time ministry?
How can I point them to the wonder of Jesus? regarding guiding our decisions
Testimony
Scriptural narrative
If Jesus was willing to die for the lost, He is willing to guide you to them so they can encounter the gospel.
What do I want them to do/say/think/feel?
Start thinking about next steps
Trust God with their future
Feel reassured by the Lord
Say “I trust you” to God
Think of how God has guided them before and trust that He will guide them again through this transition.
Talk to leaders about their next steps
Ways/paths parrallelism (derek, orah)
Make straight (straighten)-make right (integrity)
Trust in the Lord completely.
Do not rely only on your own insight.
Know Him along the journey.
He will keep you on the right track.
The most valuable thing we could ever accomplish is to fulfill God’s call on our lives.
When you are 76, what do you want to be remembered for?
Choose to live the kind of life that will make an eternal impact.
Don’t waste your life on the things that the world lives for.
Make decisions about next steps based on God’s calling for your life.
“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.” -C.T. Studd
Notes
Practical steps (exploring, finances, meetings)
Get them thinking about next steps
Harbor lights
My sense of God’s leading
Scripture
Spiritual leaders
Inner peace
Timeline (per Toby, helpful to maintain support)
Key Reflection Questions
Talk to P. Joel (Radiant Church requirements?)
Processing Goals worksheet
What type of thing do you need to do to obey the Lord? What type of thing would be disobedient to the Lord?
Assemble all of the prophetic words and guidance from the Lord in one place and review it.
If you feel called to a specific people group, what do you need to do to prepare to minister to them? Language study? Culture study? Support raising? Making connections to other missionaries?
Do you need a temporary next step or a long-term next step?
Illustration Ideas:
Making my decisions whether to stay in China, move to MI, etc.
Scriptures
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
God is with you wherever you go, so be courageous.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
acknowledge-yada-know
Ways/paths parrallelism (derek, orah)
Make straight (straighten)-make right (integrity)
Trust in the Lord completely.
Do not rely only on your own insight.
Know Him along the journey.
He will keep you on the right track.
The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirit.
Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
The Lord knows whether your spirit is pure.
Commit your work to the Lord, and He will establish your God-given plans.
Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
Your heart’s plans may not happen, but God will establish your steps according to His design.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
God’s purpose will stand
Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.
Your future success depends on you listening to wise advisors instead of being a lone ranger.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
He will lead you.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
The Scriptures have guidance for you, even if it’s not exhaustive.
Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring.
The future is unknown, so trust the one who knows the future and can do anything.
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
God will guide you.
And the Lord answered me:
“Write the vision;
make it plain on tablets,
so he may run who reads it.
Write down what God speaks to you about your life direction.
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Be wise, but don’t be anxious about your future needs.
Trust God to provide for your future needs—seek first the Kingdom.
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
The Holy Spirit will teach you and remind you of the teaching of Jesus. He is your helper, so you can have peace.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
God has called you to serve Him, and right now He is working for your good!
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
God has prepared good works for you to do! He has designed you to fulfill His purpose!
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
He will keep working in your life!
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
