A few people have been asking about the weekend we just spent out in Berkeley, CA. Sarah and I flew out so I could interview for a high school youth ministry position at a large evangelical PC(USA) church in Berkeley. If you only want the short version of the story, the job didn’t work out. This complicates a lot of things in our lives, and means – at least for now – that I’m planning on working at Starbucks (or wherever we can get health insurance) and doing Cleave Design on a closer to full-time basis.
I’m still trying to process how to share the longer version of what happened. We flew out for this job interview feeling pretty positive both about the position and my chances for getting it. I’d had great interactions with the folks from the church prior to the interview, and it seemed like a ministry position that could work out for a few years. It was at a large (over 1600 members), more conservative evangelical church – which, if you follow this blog at all, you might wonder “Well, that’s an interesting fit for you, Adam.” And you’d be right – I had known it was not going to be an exact fit from the beginning. But I was hoping we could figure out a way to negotiate that and still partner together in ministry to high school students.
However, over the course of the weekend, it became more and more clear to Sarah and I that this was not going to be a good fit for us. Let me say upfront that the church took good care of us. We stayed with a wonderful and gracious family (who even loaned us there Lexus convertible to drive around in for 4 days). We met with many people from the church and had some great interactions. I also got to have dinner with some high school students on Friday night and teach Sunday School as well. These were probably my favorite times the whole weekend – my time interacting with the students, and envisioning doing ministry with them. These were times when I felt energized and most alive.
But throughout the weekend, it became more and more apparent to me that the church had a lot of questions about me and my theology, some questions about my ability to teach the more conservative theology of the church in good conscience and were really focused on certain issues like pluralism and sexuality. My blog was also brought up a few times, specifically my post on Faith House Manhattan. I think if I had not referred to this faith community as “a beautiful portrait of the kingdom of God,” it might not have raised the red flags that it did for some folks in the church.
By the third interview, it felt more like an interrogation than a conversation about a possible ministry partnership. There is a lot more I could share, but in the end, Sarah and I realized this was not a place for me – it was not a good fit for us. I’ve been able to reflect more on the decision to withdraw from the process with Sarah, Kenda Dean and others, and it’s been encouraging to hear affirmations of our decision as the right thing to do. In some ways, this weekend was a blessing (even though it now brings about some pretty big financial struggles). It was a blessing, and an unexpected gift, to receive some clarity about my call to work with youth and young adults. I’ve wondered all along if that’s really where I wanted to be – but through a variety of circumstances, that call was clarified this past weekend. It was also a gift to find out that the church was not a good fit prior to actually taking the job. We have to trust that God has something waiting for me in the East Bay that will be a much better fit than this position would have been. We don’t see anything now, but we have to trust.
Related posts:
- Minister for Youth & Young Adults
- Getting Back into Youth Ministry
- First Two Days “On the Job”
- A Theology of Play in Youth Ministry: What About Youth Group Games?
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Heh. For some reason I found this to be quite funny.
But in all seriousness, it sounds like this is a good decision for you to not pursue this church further. Starbucks sounds like a better option and better fit for you. You can find other ways to get involved with youth – find a church that makes sense, and get involved. Or keep looking for a job that makes sense.
Or look at jobs working with youth, but outside the church.
Being “stuck” in a job where your theology/views are constantly questioned and where you cannot be yourself would not be healthy.
dude that sucks the church jack bauerer you in the last interview.
but what is cool is that you find out the “real people” at the church before it was too late.
that poor church passed up a great youth worker. their bad, not yours.
Good call.
I’ve had a bit of experience lately of being involved in something that is a bad fit, and I can tell you that is can go well but more than likely will not.
God just isn’t finished with your search yet. It’s coming – hang in there.
Sorry it didn’t work out, but not to worry. There are plenty of churches out here that you all can fit with. If all else fails, go into SF and go to Mission Bay.
It’s so weird that people are so weirded out by pluralism. There are so many bigger things to worry about. I don’t know, like Myanmar, the Sudan, murder rates in Oakland and Richmond. Not whether you think Hindus are cool.
Adam, the PCUSA is in the midst of a time of testing. With so few young adults in leadership positions, using the language of progressive or emergent theology with those who are serving as elders is like speaking a foreign language. You should, IMHO and as Dave suggested, consider Starbucks a platform for ministry. Read Neil Cole’s Organic Church. God knows what is going on here. Sometimes there must be death before there can be new life. Perhaps the PCUSA is at this crossroads. God has a mission. Make yourself available and let God have control of what follows.
i’m sorry they didn’t work out for you all…i know how tough and emotionally exhausting the whole process is with a church. it really is their loss though in the end!
i have no doubt wherever you end up [starbucks was actually a very fun and welcome job for me post-seminary...just normal, regular interactions with regular people everday] you’ll continue to make a huge impact!
blessings to you and sarah in this next chapter…looking forward to seeing where you all end up!
Better idea: Roll your own.
(church, that is)
adam,
one more thing. i can deeply relate to your interview experience.
and i am glad you did not compromise who you are personally and who are you theologically.
unfortunately, i have met too many minister who would have given the church the theological answers the church wanted to hear, so they could get a ministry job.
thanks for staying true and strong.
Its good to know who hates you and to be hated by the right people.
–Johnny Cash
I know the unease about not having a position. I went 3 1/2 years looking in New England. Yet, it was a time of intense personal growth that I would not trade for anything. You are obviously so gifted. Carol and I are praying for you and know that you will flourish in California.
Peace,
Brian
What church was it?
Sorry it didn’t work out for you. However, at least the church did talk to you about theological issues. I just recently started at a new church (as Youth Pastor) about four months ago and, even though I was raised in the Charismatic tradition, during my interviews my theological views were never questioned. They only wanted to know things like “What kind of activities do you like? Where will you take our kids to camp? What’s your favorite youth game?” At least this church seems to be interested in the theological development of their youth.
God luck in the future.