What do you want me to do God?
It is now public that I am finishing as CEO of Bible Society New Zealand March next year and the question people are asking me is, ’so what next?’ Well I plan to finish my doctorate in business which is looking at ways of effectively moving a Christian organisation through a period of significant change. I am aiming to hand the thesis in by September 2010. While I am completing my study I hope to get a bit of work here and there helping ministries out with strategic planning, leadership issues and future proofing. So what will I do after September?
What do you want me to do God? The first place I start with is my calling: what has God called me to? God has called me to leadership and to thought leadership.
And then the question is context, what is the environment God has called me to? And I am certain that God has called me to the global environment.
So my calling is leadership and thought leadership within the global context.
And right now I have no ministry offers that meet this calling, but what I do have is a clear sense from God that I am to prepare: God is calling me into a deeper relationship with Him by getting deeper into the Bible, cranking up my prayer life, and coming before God regularly to seek His forgiveness. Be interesting to see where this goes!
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15 Responses to “What do you want me to do God?”
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Wow, gutsy move
God does call us to radical things sometimes All the best Mark, I know you will crank it where ever your planted.
Carl
Let’s hope you’ve you have the forgiveness part down because Christ only died once for all time for all sin past present and future sins included. We are righteous not by anything we did or didn’t do but because of what He did. Yes we still fall short of his glory, but the proper response should be thank you Jesus for your FINISHED work at the cross. Any more than that we become sin conscious and what we focus on we bless and what we ignore we curse. You are blessed!
Mark, I have enjoyed being connected with you the last few weeks.
I am a growing Christian, 75, years old, looking back at a topsy turvy life. I have excelled at some things and fail miserably at others. HEre are sone things I have learned:
1. It seems that most of the believers baptised today are young people. When the reach the age of 16-20 they drop out of church. This is because they think they have to make a place in life for themselves. They have not been taught that God has a plan for them and they have the Holy Spirit in them to guide them through life. THE Holy Spirits tries to guide them, but they do not know what it is. Sometimes they listen, sometimes they don’t. They make a mess of their lives they usually give up hope.
2. People today hang on to something that a large group of people have embraced and they try to get lost in the crowd, hoping that no one notices them as they are part of a large group. examples are church, political groups, civic groups, causes.
It’s like in the Army paratroopers, who are about to jump from the plane, tie on to the line that pulls their chutes. Then they don’t have to worry about doing the right things to make the jump come out right. It has been made for them and all they have to do is go with the flow and they will be successful. Things will turn out with minimal effort on their part.
They hide in safe havens hoping to be judge by the larger group.
Dear Mark,
It would be interesting to know your thoughts on why you have decided to leave your current position.
God bless you,
Ron
(Will this page notify me of new comments?)
I am in the midst of preparing for Sunday - the reading is Isaiah’s call (Isaiah 6). I wonder if, for many years, I have interpreted this quite arbitrarily, as a ‘once’ event. In a sense it is, but God also calls us every day, to a new day, from one task, to a new task. In all we seek to hear God’s question: “Whom shall I send?” “Where God? What now? How may I be obedient?” needs to be our constant response.
Our prayers are with you, Mark, as you seek God’s leading for the next stage of the journey.
continue to seek for God’s guidance. Do not let your emotions overrule. I’ve been there. because of the promotion I forgot the main purpose of serving God
God bless!
chette
Hey Carl, Steve, Stephen and Chette.. wonderful! Thank you so much for your very cool comments.
And to Ron, in short I have completed what God called me to.
Billy.. love your words of experience! Thanks.
Global leadership?
Rt Rev Rowan may have that position already, and the Pope well he has occupied that position for a while……
But (taking tongue out of cheek) I am aware of what you are talking about.
The net is diverse and needs a structure in terms of ministry there are many individuals ‘doing’ and too many making themselves feel important in MMROPG to the detriment of others.
I know, I just do my bit and enjoy God moving and creating virtually through me.
I would love to think what has some ‘importance’ but the established Church is not enabled, the lack of financial and other experienced support highlights this.
Second Life is just one MMROPG many more will be out there in the future. God’s presence needs to be functioning as the Body of Christ somehow…..
What about a CEO of virtual ministry? An umberella organisation that registers, organises supports and develops people. Somebody who can liaise (I nearly said kick butt) with the established organised church? I tried to register with Fresh Expressions…. The local church that runs ‘Church on the net’ would not tell the rest of the congregation of what my husband and I ‘do’!!!!
Do you know anybody whom might be feeling a calling to this? Ermm hello?
Love and hugs from the Northern Hemisphere.
Lorraine
Hi Mark, first I want to thank you for putting God’s work on facebook/net… since I have become a friend I have looked forward to reading what you write…. each time I have been blessed…Proverbs 3:5,6 states” Trust in the Lord(Mark) and lean not on your(Mark’s) own understanding,but in all your(Mark’s)ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your(Mark’s) path.Nothing in my life makes sense at times except for God…take hold of His promises…I can wait to see how He works…what an adventure…:)
Loozeta asked:
“What about a CEO of virtual ministry? An umberella organisation that registers, organises supports and develops people. Somebody who can liaise (I nearly said kick butt) with the established organised church?”
Can’t see that working because CEOs relate to money, resources and structures and I think it’s just as unlikely to arrange for all Christians working online to work within one structure as it is for Christians offline.
‘Thought leadership within a global context’ doesn’t sound like a job description to me - more a sense of calling to work in a certain field (’thought leadership’?) in a specific environment - in this case what Mark is calling ‘the global context.’
Hope things start to look clearer as you pray and work on it.
Hello Mark,
I found your site because I surfed the phrase “God what do you want me to do?” I asked this question back in the mid-70’s and He led me to go back to school and get my undergraduate with an emphasis in Christian School/Church Administration…finished after a few dead-ends and open doors. I asked the question once again after graduation and God led me to go to seminary in Sioux Falls, SD. Loved the experience and was exposed to some fantastic experiences such as Christian Radio and working full-time with the Billy Graham organization (local crusade). Finished with an M.Div. with an emphasis in Family Ministries. I then pastored (bi-vocationally) for about four+ years and God closed the door. Ever since then I’ve taught God’s Word in one way or another. A full-time opportunity seems elusive. My true passion is to teach His Word. I love it!!
But here I am again asking, “God, what do you want me to do?” Currently, my family and I are going through “Job-like” experiences where we are under the shadow of unfair and unjust life experiences. I am becoming acutely sensitive to those who experience life in unfair & unjust ways.
God doesn’t waste trials/tribulations on His children. There is a purpose behind it all. His hands allow these times to come to us for our good and those around us as we seek to serve Him.
I hate the word, but patience comes to mind as we wait on the Lord.
In time, God will faithfully direct us. When we acknowledge Him, He WILL direct our paths. He keeps His word.
God Bless,
Deke
If you were American, I would just assume you would start working at Starbucks like everyone else …
… but since you’re not, how about herding sheep? Digitally, of course!
(I realize my comments are an inside joke).
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