I have to admit that the great experiment has been  harder than I imagined.

I thought with a bit of time and some consultation with friends, I would find my way to my future career. After all, I always had worked it out that way. But for whatever reasons, this journey has been longer and more difficult than I imagined. At times I’ve felt lost, confused, clueless. At other times I’ve felt liberated, excited, hopeful.

Now I am setting myself to the task of writing a job description for a job I hope to find. I’m not going to wait for someone to hire me. I’m going to try to define my interests first – in a very clear and direct way – and then see if there is a place where I can realize my dream job. In other words, I’m taking the bull by the horns!

I think I thought at first that I would find an opportunity that matched my interests. But what I’ve come to realize is that I need to make the opportunity. If I really want to pursue my dreams and do what I really feel called to do, I need to make that happen, and not cede the responsibility for my dreams to any one else.

So, what is my dream? Well, I will post the job description here when I’m finished with it. But the rough outline is that I want to help churches develop leaders within their congregations. I want to help churches create systems that encourage people to explore, define and exercize their unique leadership role. I want to help churches produce great people who make a big difference in their communities. I want to help pastors better understand their role as leaders and engage their congregations effectively. I want to help pastors realize their full leadership potential for the sake of their churches and the communities they serve. I want to help congregations form their vision and realize their mission. I want to lead congregations through a process of discernment that helps define their mission and purpose but also gives them a road map to success. Finally, I want to help congregations engage their participants fully in the mission of the church. I want to create mechanisms for including the full congregation in the work of the church, so that everyone who comes to a church is fully engaged in a meaningful experience that deepens their relationship with God, their family, their church and their community.

Ok. That’s a lot I know. So I’m going to work to make it a job description that is specific and clear. And then, I hope you will help me make it even better and more clear, and then help me find a church that wants someone to do it!