I [Don't] Quit

I just read a short article indicating that in just three months of 2021 11.5 million people quit their jobs and 48% of U.S. employees admit to actively searching for new opportunities in Tim Elmore's blog entitled "Now is the Time for Leaders to Step Up."  I'll admit to being one of the 48% who have looked around for other opportunities.

I remember a contemporary of mine looking to quit his ministry years ago before there was a pandemic to accelerate the desire to look for "greener grass."  My advice to him then was to think about who he wasn't going to be able to influence in his ministry if he did quit.  I've thought about that advice many times since then and it has ministered to me when I've felt like giving up.

Do you find yourself in the company of the millions of Americans wanting to quit their job?  Of course, this is no surprise to youth ministry where the average lifespan of a youth pastor is said to be one and a half years in a church and three years in youth ministry all together.  Couple that with a pandemic where many people are rethinking their careers and you potentially have a mass exodus of youth pastors/ministers/leaders.  Youth ministry is a job like no other.  We can't be in it for ourselves.  I remember looking around me and seeing other people get promotions in their places of work and big financial gains that went along with them.  The same can't always be said in the church.  And if you answered the call to youth ministry as a career, there are no big promotions unless you use it as a stepping stone to other pastoral roles.  Consider the youth in your care.  They need you more than ever right now.  And consider those who will be in your care.  They need you too.  If you quit now, who won't you be able to minister to?  Of course, there is a time to quit or move or take another role.

When is a good time to move on?  That is a really difficult question, especially in ministry.  It's one no one can answer for you.  Only you know your unique situation.  You can talk it over with a trusted friend or someone in ministry who has been there before.  And you, your trusted friend, and loved ones can wrestle with it in prayer.  When you are at peace with your decision, then it is time.