I’m going back to the Marketplace

The past few weeks were a bit emotional for me. Pastor Dennis, the senior pastor of Victory Greenhills announced to the congregation “I will be going back to the marketplace” after almost 3 years in full time ministry. It took awhile for the church to understand what is happening. From being a pastor, it means that I will still fulfill my functions for the church but now as a volunteer.

It was a very hard decision. I absolutely have no reason to leave at all. I love Victory Greenhills, I love the pastors who are like brothers to me, I love my calling (It has never been work for me) and I take it seriously though it is also fun and exciting. The life of a pastor is like a roller coaster ride. One minute, you’re conducting a wedding, the next minute; you’re doing the funeral service of another member. But through it all, a big question keeps surfacing in my mind.

It was late last year that questions started popping in my head about going back to business. There has been some opportunities in the marketplace that I wasn’t able to pursue because I was a pastor. And these opportunities can lead to outreach opportunities that normal ministers won’t have.

The biggest question is, “Where will I be more effective?” I know we have a humongous challenge currently in Victory Greenhills for shepherding the church yet there is also a huge opening to go out and make disciples in the workplace.

In my new career as a business consultant, I am going to focus on speaking, training, and writing books. To be a motivational speaker is not an easy profession for there are many who come and go, albeit doors have opened for me many times that I didn’t really pursue until now. We always need to work hard to reach our goals, and if it is from God, you will “flow” in doing excellent work. You become a magnet for opportunities as God works behind the scenes. 

Revelation 3:7-8

These are the words of him who is holyand true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. ⁸ I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

I hold on to this word. I know that I have little strength compared to others who may seem to have more credentials, that’s why I need to keep His word in my heart so that I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. As I proclaim God’s word and the gospel thru unconventional means, it will lead to changed lives.

There is a war out there in the workplace. An ensuing war birthed from new age ideas and methodologies on how to find satisfaction in life — that success is the most important thing of all, that happiness is the ultimate goal to determine your purpose in life, that having money to help people will bring you peace of mind. When they hand me the mic, I believe the Holy Spirit will empower me to prove them wrong. Our life should revolve around God and not the other way around.

I’m very nervous, but research says the physical signs of nervousness parallel the physical signs of excitement. So instead of saying I’m nervous, I’m very very very very very EXCITED! May I glorify God in my new endeavor!

To all the pastors of Victory, I love you all. Now I know how hard your work is. No amount of pay can ever be sufficient for the kind of labor you are doing. May you continue to do great things for the Lord!