Gimme Some Help (If You Are Willing)

In my transition out of vocational pastoring (for some strange, sovereign reason(s)), I've become a telecommunications salesperson, or better yet, an 'account executive,' (I guess the more politically correct term makes me sound more special than I really am!).

That transition is proving to be mentally and emotionally difficult. Last week I'm in the 'business' of caring for souls. The next week, I'm in the 'business' of caring for business.

As I read sales literature - books, pamphlets, booklets, articles, etc. - on helping me become a better 'account executive' most, if not all of it is solely about building relationships with others in a way that truly matters, and not just in a way that gets me more leads. I like this. It looks like a turn-around for the sales industry if that's the latest undercurrent.

However, as you might imagine, these relationships, for a pastor, are about Christ and not about business. So I'm looking for some help from Adrian's readership. This time I need those who can and are willing to post some helpful thoughts and prayers for me personally. My tendency will be to care more about them, their souls, their families, their children, etc. and the spiritual well-being of them, rather than talking about leads, prospects, contacts, or networking. So then,

• Help me strike the 'balance' between building relationships for the purpose of sales and for the purpose of the gospel.
• Give me some helpful counsel, tips, guidance, etc. on striving to know people both in order to be a gospel light to them, as well as to earn a living for my family.
• Are there certain things any of you do to maintain a perspective in how you view people as both people in need of the cross, and people who can help my business grow.

If you feel the tension, that means you're ready to start praying for me. If you don't feel the tension, pray for me anyway, if the Lord brings me to your mind. This will prove, I believe, to be a difficult life-transition for me, but one filled with good and gracious things from God which can only serve to strengthen and discipline me for future pastoral ministry, whenever that might be.

Thank you Adrian. And thank you, Adrian's readers!

Guest post by Rob Wilkerson from Miscellanies on the Gospel.