Big Decisions
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 2:30 pm
I may have mentioned some of this in other posts, so I'll try not to repeat too much.
In middle school and high school, I envisioned a career in ministry or music (or probably both). I thought of myself as someone who would write books and music, lead musicians, and even preach or speak. I job shadowed my dad (an engineer), and while I didn't mind it, it wasn't quite what I was looking for. I job shadowed my pastor a few years later and things seemed to click.
I was talked out of pursuing any sort of religious or musical education by two things. First, a Bible school that I started at when I first entered college gave me more doubt than faith, and it took years (and this forum helped tremendously!) to get a good grounding in why I believed what I believed. Second, my parents talked me into pursuing something that would pay for the student loans I'd need to go to college and help support a family. At the time, I wasn't the most outgoing guy which would have made a ministry or music degree a terrifying prospect. I liked computers and programming, so I jumped for a computer science degree.
I don't regret the decision entirely, but I know its not where I am supposed to be and am reminded of it multiple times a day in different forms.
I'm starting to get much more serious about music (waking up early every day to practice and starting a music writers/players meeting), and ministry (starting an apologetics class with people from a bunch of different churches!)
Has anyone else had a similar experience with any advice to offer? I'm convinced this is the direction I should go, but I'm afraid to pursue it. It will likely mean pay cuts and a lot of uncomfortable experiences. I'm willing to work part time and go to seminary as one option... or just ease into another position over time. Just looking for some advice I guess. And I wanted to thank everyone here for playing a big role in my transformation from a weak Christian who feared apologetics to a weak Christian who at least knows why they believe what they believe.
In middle school and high school, I envisioned a career in ministry or music (or probably both). I thought of myself as someone who would write books and music, lead musicians, and even preach or speak. I job shadowed my dad (an engineer), and while I didn't mind it, it wasn't quite what I was looking for. I job shadowed my pastor a few years later and things seemed to click.
I was talked out of pursuing any sort of religious or musical education by two things. First, a Bible school that I started at when I first entered college gave me more doubt than faith, and it took years (and this forum helped tremendously!) to get a good grounding in why I believed what I believed. Second, my parents talked me into pursuing something that would pay for the student loans I'd need to go to college and help support a family. At the time, I wasn't the most outgoing guy which would have made a ministry or music degree a terrifying prospect. I liked computers and programming, so I jumped for a computer science degree.
I don't regret the decision entirely, but I know its not where I am supposed to be and am reminded of it multiple times a day in different forms.
I'm starting to get much more serious about music (waking up early every day to practice and starting a music writers/players meeting), and ministry (starting an apologetics class with people from a bunch of different churches!)
Has anyone else had a similar experience with any advice to offer? I'm convinced this is the direction I should go, but I'm afraid to pursue it. It will likely mean pay cuts and a lot of uncomfortable experiences. I'm willing to work part time and go to seminary as one option... or just ease into another position over time. Just looking for some advice I guess. And I wanted to thank everyone here for playing a big role in my transformation from a weak Christian who feared apologetics to a weak Christian who at least knows why they believe what they believe.