Job Change - Less Money Better Quality of Life

I am fairly new to this forum and posted something last week about when to know it is time to quit working. Well, since then something exciting but scary has popped up for me. I have been considering for quite sometime moving away from IT management into a full time children's ministry role. I attained my teachers certification for elementary education, special education and ESL back in 2009 during the economic downturn. I though God was calling me to teach and then the teacher bubble burst as well, sending me back to IT. Long story short I was struggling to understand why I felt so strongly about getting my teacher's certification if I wasn't going to use it.

I have been serving as a volunteer director in children's minsitry at our church since the fall and have other leadership responsibilities within our women's ministry area. A job posting came up yesterday for a new position and the staff director emailed me personally about it. It is a full-time ministry director position and would be a huge change for me. It is still full-time, but I would no longer have to suffer through a 1 hour commute totalling 2 hours or more a day in the car...ability to go home at lunch and nap if needed. I could keep my kids afterschool (elementary aged) and be able to go to lunch with them at school. They are always begging me to, but I work so far away it just isn't feasible. Plus, with my vision problems and migraines not being on the computer all day/every day would be great. There are so many perks not to mention the feeling that God has been prepping me for this change.

I do fear the major salary and benefits cut. I don't know yet whether I will have insurance or need coverage under my spouse. I know that it is an absolute necessity for me to have Short Term and Long Term Disability coverage because you just don't know. The challenge is if I do end up on disability at some point it will be substantially less than I would get at my current job. If things starting get bad I could always go back to IT contracting until I became eligible for insurance coverage and disability benefits. But in the big scheme of things God's blessings and rewards would be far greater no doubt. Still doesn't mean those thoughts don't scare me some with taking a risk.

I interview for the position on Monday and am praying for God's guidance and voice during the discovery process. If you pray, please pray for me and my family as we consider this life change.

Just needed to share this with someone...as I can't tell my closest friends because applying for a position at a church requires absolute discreetness until something is offered to you and accepted.

Thanks

Spicy- I was reading your post and this came to my mind. I love ministry work myself and it sounds you have a love for it to. You probably been around the block before with ministry work. Lol Just remember it carries it stress also. You will always be in that fish bowl appreance also. I will keep you prayer that God gives you direction in your life. Finances is huge thing these days, so you want to make sure that you can live comfortably on this income. You wouldn't want a strain on your marriage due to financial troubles. That is one of the top things that make a marriage difficult. Really check into the medical insurance. I wasn't sure if you are the main carrier on the medical insurance. A lot of these churches are low in employees so the medical insurance they provide is not the best. As you know ministry work is so rewarding. Yes, the environment will probably be better for your fibro. I can totally understand you wanting some relief to make your life easier. If I could survive on the money ok, even if I had to give up a few things and had good medical coverage I would do it. Prayer comes first as you know.

Post Edited (ak angel) : 5/3/2012 3:06:48 PM (GMT-6)