I have recently experienced a renewed sense of the holiness, majesty, and power of our awesome God. It has challenged me along the same lines experienced by Isaiah the prophet. It has given me a renewed sense of purpose and a revitalized supply of spiritual energy. I have entered this third phase of ministry determined to make it my best, most focused, and fruitful time in ministry. What is this third phase and how does it differ from the first two phases?

Phase One: The first formational stage (years 5-8) is defined by issues of entry into the pastoral role. Expectations meet reality, strengths and weaknesses come into sharper clarity through experience, and pastors begin to know what they do not know. In this period, pastors re-examine their sense of call, and they feel an urgent need to “catch-up” in their learning.

Phase Two: The second formational stage (years 13-15) is basically a mid-life transition for ministers. In shooting the first set of rapids, the pastor has gained self-awareness. This leads, in turn, to a journey of personal re-discovery. These years between the first and second set of rapids are marked with deep transformational rumblings.

Phase Three: The third formational stage, which takes place in years 20-25, is marked by the realization that the end of the vocational journey lies up ahead, in the not too distant future. Pastors at this stage have now already spent more time in the pastoral role than they will in the future. The key word that rises up in these final stretches of the river is “legacy.” Here, the questions become, “How do I finish well? What will I leave behind of value?”

Taken from http://www.faithandleadership.com/content/shooting-the-rapids-the-cycles-pastoral-ministry

Having spent 38 years in ministry, I am now ready to begin my Phase Three in ministry. I have spent most of these years in a bi-vocational setting, working at more than one job to support my family while serving the church. Most of the time, I served in a second ministry position, which allowed more flexibility in ministry. These last 7 years have been spent serving the church and working in various secular jobs. This has given me a greater understanding of what my church members face on a day to day basis. It has also given me an opportunity to get a view of the cultural changes taking place on a more intimate basis. I have also had opportunities for ministry in these secular settings that remind me of the need and ability to minister each day. However, this is taking its toll on my body and mind and stealing away time from primary ministry needs and opportunities.

I have honestly shared with my church that I want to spend the next ten years of ministry focusing on the issues of leadership development and leaving a legacy. This will require time and effort, and as I age, I find I have less of both to give. I have asked the church to develop a plan that will move toward full-time ministry. I honestly don’t know what their plan will be or what their vision is. I only know that I have asked God to open the door for me to serve fulltime in ministry or to release me from ministry altogether so that I can pursue secular work and do what I can to be involved in ministry as any layperson would. I am not leaving the church, nor do I intend to be uninvolved in ministry, but if I can’t pursue this level of ministry fulltime, I need to step back and be less involved.

Some may think I am being hardnosed or demanding. I am neither. I have not demanded that the church make me their fulltime pastor. I have not demanded that God release me from pastoral ministry. I am grateful for the years of ministry he has given me to serve his church and I have always sought to give my best to his church. But I sense that something must change. God is working on me and he is giving me a strong feeling that something is going to have to change for me to face these remaining years and make them fruitful and fulfilling.

I don’t know what the future holds, but I am ready to follow God into this final phase of ministry. How he wants me to serve, where he wants me to serve, whom he wants me to serve, and for how long he wants me to serve are all questions that must be answered. I am looking to him for the answers. The following song expresses my desire…

LIVE WITH ABANDON LYRICS – NEWSBOYS
I wanna live with abandon
Give You all that I am
Every part of my heart Jesus
I place in Your hands
I wanna live with abandon
Give You all that I am
Every part of my heart Jesus
I place in Your hands
I wanna live with abondon

An old hymn also expresses it a little differently but just as powerfully…

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conqu’rors we are!

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.