The Future
This is the first in a series I’ll be doing of questions that some of you asked. If you would like to add your question, go here and do so.
Today I’ll answer a question from Jan.
She asked: So where do you think God is leading you Tyler? After seminary and all, do you have a sense of what God desires for you to do?
I’ve been in seminary for 2.5 years now and I have just as long to go minimum. I refuse to take on loans when my education is leading into a field that does not pay well. So I am paying as I go which is expensive and makes the process take longer.
Since I’ve been doing worship and music in churches since I was in junior high, almost everyone asks me if I want to be a worship pastor. I usually answer by saying this: “That is what I’m doing now, if I wanted to do that I wouldn’t be in school.” But that isn’t to say that I don’t see a role for me in music in the future. But I don’t want to be stuck in that role.
I have a passion and a calling towards the local church. I know I have gifts in music but I also am drawn to the discipleship process through the role of spiritual formation.
I see myself playing a key role in the leadership of a church, but I do not feel drawn (nor do I necessarily agree with) to the role of senior pastor.
Bottom line: I have no idea. I still have plenty of learning to do in seminary and in my current job. I am letting that process shape and mold me into the type of Christian leader I’ll be in the future. Once I get to the end of that process hopefully I’ll have a little clearer picture.
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Tyler Braun.
Keep following what God is leading you to do, and He will make your paths straight.
Blessings!
Love the answer.
I think you are right where you need to be. The future is the future and it is hard to predict it. But the fact that you are very open is awesome. And I love that you are having these types of conversations on your blog.
Lets chat soon on tokbox if you have some time.
I’m moving this weekend but once we get settled it would be great to chat again.
That sounds good. Let me know when you got some time.
I’ve been stuck in the future for the past several days. It’s hard not to think that I shouldn’t have a pointed direction where I’m supposed to go. My five year plan is coming to end, and I have no idea what to do with the next 5.
You know how they say that where God closes doors, he opens windows? Well, I’m starting to find myself trying to open those closed doors without seeing the windows. It can be very discouraging, but you have a great outlook on the situation.
Sometimes when God doesn’t answer us, that’s exactly what we need to hear.
Loved that last line of your comment Brett.
When you say (in parentheses) that you don’t agree with the role of sr pastor what do you mean? Care to unpack it for us?
Most of that was shared with my thoughts on shared leadership. If that is truly a Biblical model, there isn’t much room for the role of senior pastor in it.
blah blah blah…you wanna be a senior pastor
I think Dan (above, on Sr. Pastor) is asking a question for your “Ask a Question” feature. Be wise if/when you want to answer that one in a permanent and public forum, while serving in a church with a SP. (You and I probably agree on that one: Jesus is the only Senior Pastor — Hebrews 13:20.)
More to your post here: sounds like you’re living in James 4 (“… if the Lord wills”), and submitting to the Sovereign One as you venture into the future together. A good place to be.
I was out of pocket when you answered this. Thanks for sharing Tyler! Can’t wait to see all God does in you and thru you!