[As a veteran =
pastor/college professor of 50+ years I am often asked by young men how =
to know when a ministry is "over" and you should seek a move =
to another church or retired totally. Here are some warning =
signs.]
"You know =
it’s over when . . .
. . you return =
from vacation to find the visiting preacher’s name on your =
mailbox.
. . your =
church is about to split, and neither group wants =
you.
. . shut-ins =
pull the window shades and pretend they aren’t home when you come for a =
visit.
. . the =
trustees wall-paper your office with road maps.
. . your 2020 =
Christmas gift is a subscription to U-Haul =
Magazine.
. . you’re =
told God is calling you to the mission field — =
now.
. . you’re =
cast as the donkey in the Christmas pageant.
. . your wife =
moves her membership letter to another church.
. . your =
secretary starts sending out your resume.
. . the =
congregation forces the pulpit committee to wear sackcloth and make a =
public apology.
. . church =
members start referring to you as their ‘former’ =
pastor.
. . your ‘love =
offering’ is a two-for-one coupon at Golden =
Corral.
. . you tried =
to get in the church this morning and discovered the locks have been =
changed.
~~
Dr Bob Griffin =
[email protected] =
www.grif.net
"Jesus =
Knows Me, This I Love!"