Friends, I need your help…
A couple of years ago, during an advance for my doctoral work, Len Sweet asked us to describe ourselves with a word or phrase. The word I used was change. The reason I used that word is that it seems all of my life has been about transitions. Transition means “passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another : change b : a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another.” (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved November 20, 2009)
That change is occurring in the life of my lovely wife and I. We are in a period of transition. And I need your help. Here’s what I know…
- I am not a pastor or staff person. I love the church but I don’t think the church is not where I am called to carry out the bulk of my ministry. I have served the church off and on through staff positions (pastor, youth, music, missions) since I was 20. I turned 40 this year.
- I am a teacher, coach and mentor at heart. That doesn’t mean that I have to teach in a theological school or a religion department of a college. I would love to at least be an adjunct professor. Actually, I would love to teach in a state school. I think I would prefer it.
- I love spending time with un-churched, de-churched, and pagans. In fact, I much prefer them over the typical church person because I find them to be more real, honest, and transparent.
- I have been described by some as an intellectual. Now, I know that I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Still, others have told me that I am an “intellectual”. Several years ago, J.P. Moreland wrote a book entitled Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul. In it he challenged Christians to be the best, the experts in their field and influence the world as the Christian who is an expert in economics (or chemistry or sociology, etc). That book inspired me to work towards a PhD in Communications. (You really should read that book!) While I got into one such program at the University of Alabama, I was not able to get far due to life happening. I got wait-listed at the University of Delaware in their PhD in Sociology (which I consider pretty good since I had never taken a sociology class!). I got my D.Min, Leadership in the Emerging Culture this year. My research involved integrating emerging brain research, social identity theory, emotional intelligence and theology all together to discover how people change behavior.
- I see God revealed in all the domains of life and the intersection of those domains gives us a more complete picture of the Trinity in action. I am doing research in now in evolutionary biology, epistemology, game theory, and brain research, in addition to my ministry studies and reading.
- I love the Trinity and feel it is of utmost importance to express the practical implications of Trinitarian Theology.
- Ministry is more than just serving on a church staff. I’ve actually done more ministry working in a business than as a pastor.
- I love to spend time with people, particularly college students and young adults.
- I need to be in a college area, or at least an area where research is going on. My wife and I will go anywhere in the country or the world (if we can take our dog!). We also need cultural diversity.
- Though I am a Southern Baptist, I do not require that kind of environment.
- I have started 4 businesses, helped build 3 internet companies and am Microsoft certified (at least I don’t think that cert has run out!) Also, I have a pretty good business sense.
One of my coaches noted on Friday that I have a lot of “merit badges” and that I have much to offer. So what do I bring to the table? Here are a few things…
- A diversity of skills and education.
- A strong coaching mentality. I have a passion for helping people discover and develop their gifts, talents, and identity.
- The ability to process complex information and make it clear to others.
- A global, entrepreneurial mindset with a unique perspective on life, ministry, and Faith.
- Someone who has walked through some difficult days and came out a better person with a different perspective on life.
So if you have any ideas, I would love to hear them. Shoot me an email by hitting the contact link or the email button at the top. Thanks!
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Tags: Personal
what kind of help are you looking for?
Blake,
I would love to teach. I would at least do more coaching, and mentoring. I am looking for a place where I can do research, writing, coaching/mentoring and teaching and be around people who are interested in the same.
I can relate with almost everything you’ve written here. Pass along anything you don’t use.
So I’m still confused. Are you looking for a job or just a place to hang out? I enjoy what you write and would love to try and help either way, I just need clarification.
If you are looking for a job are you willing to relocate?
To clarify…I am looking for a job and am willing to relocate. Preferably doing something other than pastoring a church.