Taking a church in Chicago

[jamesv]

I agree with the above, only you an answer this question. Any chance to go for a visit to see and talk to the people there? This way you can see for yourself how the area is and help you decide.

Not bashing the op but funny how everyone that has something to say isn't from Chicago. I do have to admit that I live 30 mins away, just across the Indiana line. I do spend a lot of time in Chicago, from working, going to the movies, to dinner. Now I do drive when I go and yes some parts are bad but I wouldn't say that you have to run red lights. Everyone has their own comfort zone and maybe mine is almost non-existing cause I never feel threatened walking down the street any time of day. Maybe I'm just that lucky person out of the MILLIONS that have never been a victim while in Chicago.

James

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Chaplain Scott]

We often try to put God in a box--(He has to work in "this" way....") Within the guidelines of His Holy Scriptures, God deals with each of us differently.

To some, the Call to ministry is general (I want you to be a Pastor; I want you to be a missonary....")

To others, they experience His Call in more specific ways ("I want you to be an Army Chaplain, I want you to be a missionary in____......")

The very best place to be is in the center of His will. Only you can determine HOW He is directing you. I would suggest fasting and prayer, getting alone and quiet for a time, specificially seeking direction for HIS Will.

As a personal example, when I finished my Army ministry, I was seeking His Will, and He led us to a very specific place, which, when I got the Call, I was not overly thrilled with. Now, 5 years into our stay here, we could not be happier. There is NOPLACE like the center of His Will............

[Hiram25]

If you want to stay close to family, I'd lean more towards the MO side than the IL one. You will get more offers to consider, pick one that satisfies both your calling and your desires.

[retsupt99]

Maybe God is planning on calling you 'home'...if so, he'd probably send you to Chicago to set up the meeting.

[thepierce]

Maybe God is planning on calling you 'home'...if so, he'd probably send you to Chicago to set up the meeting.

Now ret, tell us how you really feel. Don't hold back now, ya hear?

[BugDude]

Seek His will through prayer and scripture. If He is calling you to this particular opportunity, then you will feel overwhelmingly compelled to fulfill His will with this opportunity regardless of your personal desires and concerns. You would feel empty if you didn't. If you seek and do not feel the overwhelming need to go, then perhaps it is just a door on your path...not all doors that we encounter are opened and not all doors that are opened are we to walk through. When you are lead to a door that you should walk through, seek His will and you will know in your heart.

[BikerRN]

This is not a question that anyone can answer for you.

This is a question you have to answer for yourself. How you arrive at the answer is up to you as well.

It can be through prayer, discussion and advice, but ultimately the decision will be your's and your's alone. I'm not a religious man, but there are many here that are, even some that are pastors.

If you do not know how important your Second Amendments Rights are to you at this stage of the game, then maybe they aren't that important to you. I can tell you, as an athiest, that they are very important to me. I am a one issue voter and have been since I first voted for Ronald Reagan. I can also tell you that I have been led to some places, call it a calling if you wish, where I never thought I would ever go.

Not to derail the thread, but if a man wants to know how to live his life he could do a lot worse than studying the lessons in the Bible. I sense a certain trepidation on your part with going to Chicago. That's OK, I have trepidation too, and I can go armed throughout that city.

I won't presume to tell you what to do, as it's not my place. If this is just a "job" and the Second Amendment is important to you I can't help but think you would be miserable in that city. If on the other hand the Second Amendment is "nice" but not essential to you, I think you may have some fun there. It will be what you make of it.

It's your decision to make, and your's alone. While it is right to seek counsel of others, I question if this is the appropriate forum for doing so? The reason I say that is you seem to be unsure of where you stand on the Second Amendment. Asking others how important it is speaks to me of a man that has not fully matured yet and is unable or unwilling to make his own decisions.

If this offends, rest assured that is not my intent. It is merely to provide some food for thought. Take care and stay safe,

Biker

PS: Let me just add, sometimes the things I didn't want to do turned out to be the best things I ever did as long as I approached them with an open mind.

[maxwell]

Look some where else.

[Guardian]

I might be in a good position to answer your question because I CC and pastor a church. First of all I'd answer the question "is God specifically calling me to this church" or is it simply an opportunity to be employed in the Master's service. I don't see a problem if it is simply an opportunity, without specific direction from the Lord. Most of the recorded working and moving of people in the Book of Acts was simply people responding to the Great Commission wherever they went. In a relative few instances they went or didn't go as a direct result of the Holy Spirit speaking to them. My point? It may be more the exception than the rule to receive a location-specific call. It happens, but not necessarily all the time. If God were specifically speaking to me about serving in a location where I couldn't CC, I would obey the Lord and not give it a second thought. If it were my option, I'd just weigh the pros and cons, and pray about it. If you do that and the job feels good to you, take it. Just remember, the bottom line for ministers of the Gospel is to be a shepherd of God's sheep and not a hireling. The Bible talks about this and says the hireling does not care for the flock...only about his paycheck. Where ever you serve, remember you are serving the Lord Himself by serving His people. Hope this helps...

Given the choice between Pastoring in Oregon where I am, and Chicago, I'd choose Oregon every time. If the Lord said "I'm moving you to Chicago" I'd move to Chicago every time...

Exactly, Amen to this.

[friesepferd]

You have had a lot of good responces on this topic but I'll go ahead and let you know what I think.
1) from a christian standpoint: getting a job offer doesn't mean Gods calling you as many have said. That comes through prayer only. What you really need to do here is pray. If you really feel that this is where God is sending you, then my all means go! If not, then weigh your options, keep looking.
2) From a 2A standpoint: Chicago sucks
3) From any other standpoint: Chicago sucks

So there you have it. If God is really telling you to go, well then by all means go. If you are just considering this because its your first job offer, then look elsewhere!

[Deanimator]

Nobody is going to protect you and you're not going to be allowed to protect yourself.

Can you accept that?

[Hopyard]

If you treat it like any other job offer, weigh the pros and cons, you can avoid trying to figure out if you are answering some cryptic call from a cryptic deity for you to do a specific duty.

Let's say you turn it down and get another offer, or you simultaneously get two offers. How do you know which one is a special opportunity from on high?
You don't and can't. All you can do is what seems best for you.

Go with your guts and your heart. Everything else is built in to those feelings automatically. The more you rationalize and intellectualize your decision, the more likely you are to screw up.

[PastorPack]

Obey God and if he sends you there, pray for the McDonald v. Chicago case.

I know it can be nerve-racking to make these choices as graduation nears, but there is a sweetness to hearing and obeying the Lord! Remember, he wants to guide you, "my sheep know my voice." (not a sheep vs. sheepdog remark, but a sheep in relation to the Good Shepherd comment).

[PM]

+1. If that is where God is calling you to serve, He has a reason. Chicago may be your Ninevah.
Gonzo

and if it is where God is calling you; well you will not be happy and/or blessed elsewhere; Been there done that and it ain't fun!!

IMHO, you are in the wrong place asking for advice. This really needs to be a matter of personal prayer. Listen to the Holy Spirt, I'll also make this a matter of prayer in my personal time!!

Amen!!

Originally Posted by thepierce So, how important are my 2A rights compared to answering the call to go and serve in a church stuck in the middle of my least favorite city

You are bought W/ a price. owned property doesn't have rights. If that's even a question for you you might want to re think the ministry

Paul speaks for Christians being slave (some make it sound nicer by tanslating it servant or bond-servant or bond slave) a rose by any other name is still a rose and a slave by any other name is still a slave!! Your job wether or not use choose ti accept it is to forget rights, as was said above you have none, and to determine where you GOD wants you. [/sermon]

[UltraRick]

I might be in a good position to answer your question because I CC and pastor a church. First of all I'd answer the question "is God specifically calling me to this church" or is it simply an opportunity to be employed in the Master's service. I don't see a problem if it is simply an opportunity, without specific direction from the Lord. Most of the recorded working and moving of people in the Book of Acts was simply people responding to the Great Commission wherever they went. In a relative few instances they went or didn't go as a direct result of the Holy Spirit speaking to them. My point? It may be more the exception than the rule to receive a location-specific call. It happens, but not necessarily all the time. If God were specifically speaking to me about serving in a location where I couldn't CC, I would obey the Lord and not give it a second thought. If it were my option, I'd just weigh the pros and cons, and pray about it. If you do that and the job feels good to you, take it. Just remember, the bottom line for ministers of the Gospel is to be a shepherd of God's sheep and not a hireling. The Bible talks about this and says the hireling does not care for the flock...only about his paycheck. Where ever you serve, remember you are serving the Lord Himself by serving His people. Hope this helps...

Given the choice between Pastoring in Oregon where I am, and Chicago, I'd choose Oregon every time. If the Lord said "I'm moving you to Chicago" I'd move to Chicago every time...

Great response!