I interviewed as a pastoral candidate once. I was asked what failing as a pastor looked like to me. I said exactly what you wrote. "You only fail when you quit trying." My mentor looked at me with shock. I think that people that went into the "ministry" straight out of the gate may have missed out on the common work ethic that the rest of us deal with almost without thinking.
Thanks STxAR, and it is true. Oddly enouh, I interviewed as a pastoral candidate once (also many years ago). In my case, I did not fit the personality profile. Perhaps from their point of view, I was in a category where failure was likely an option.
I have had to modify what I do sometimes to do it, but not quit doing it.
I lasted two years as an interim. I took courage from the story of Joshua. God was leading the Israelites into a new phase, and that meant a new leader. It didn't work out well in the short term. I'll have to move to the next realm to find out how it worked in the long run. I can say this, though, I put everything I had into it. And I don't regret taking the responsibility on.
Comments are welcome (and necessary, for good conversation). If you could take the time to be kind and not practice profanity, it would be appreciated. Thanks for posting!
Actually a lot to contemplate there.
ReplyDeleteA blessed weekend to you all TB.
It is, Linda. I have to remind myself sometimes the greatest challenge is simply to get up and start again.
DeleteI interviewed as a pastoral candidate once. I was asked what failing as a pastor looked like to me. I said exactly what you wrote. "You only fail when you quit trying." My mentor looked at me with shock. I think that people that went into the "ministry" straight out of the gate may have missed out on the common work ethic that the rest of us deal with almost without thinking.
ReplyDeleteYou fail when you quit. Simple as that.
Thanks STxAR, and it is true. Oddly enouh, I interviewed as a pastoral candidate once (also many years ago). In my case, I did not fit the personality profile. Perhaps from their point of view, I was in a category where failure was likely an option.
DeleteI have had to modify what I do sometimes to do it, but not quit doing it.
I lasted two years as an interim. I took courage from the story of Joshua. God was leading the Israelites into a new phase, and that meant a new leader. It didn't work out well in the short term. I'll have to move to the next realm to find out how it worked in the long run. I can say this, though, I put everything I had into it. And I don't regret taking the responsibility on.
DeleteThat is great and well done. I have always been a fan of as long as you have given something everything you have, you are not a failure.
Delete