Free to Stay or Leave

How do you know when it is time to move on?

In the past, I have found it difficult to explain to others my reasons for leaving one job and taking another. I tend to over-spiritualize — and thus trivialize — the long decision-making process: “I sense God is moving me on; God is opening (or shutting) all the doors.” I’ve often framed God’s will as a “sense of peace.” I find it difficult to explain in a few sentences what may have taken years of self-discovery and wrestling with God to form in my soul.

That is certainly true at present, for I am moving on from my position as editor of Church Leaders Online and as executive editor of PreachingToday.com. This is my final devotional as editor of this bi-weekly listserv.

About three-and-a-half years ago, I attended the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, Illinois; the church is about 30 minutes from my work. I attended the Summit as a journalist, back when I was on staff at Leadership Journal, a sister publication of PreachingToday.com and this newsletter. I heard Bill Hybels give his spiel on vision. As I drove home that day, I had this thought: “I’m tired of writing and editing about leadership; I want to be a leader.” Not that writing and editing are not forms of leadership, but I wanted to create something new. Over the next few years, I arose many mornings with the same swirling thoughts that I had the night before: What are my unique abilities? Do I have the freedom to move on? In what arena should I apply my unique gifts?

Fred Smith, a contributing editor for Leadership, once reminded me of Oswald Chambers’ concept of God’s will: we first dedicate our life to God and then do what we want. But we always remain open to a potent sign from God that signals we need to change or shift directions. The image is that of a baseball shortstop, poised to move where the ball is hit. With that freedom, though, comes responsibility — the responsibility to use our unique abilities in the service of Christ.

I concluded I had the freedom to do what I’ve wanted for a long time: start a company. I’m starting an Internet publishing company called CustomZines.com, which will editorially package corporate communication content for the Web. But what about my ministry calling? My wiring forms the basis of God’s call on my life. My calling is to use my entrepreneurial gifts in the service of Christ in the world.

So who will edit this newsletter? This listserv will continue without a hiccup; it now rests in the capable hands of my commanding officer and long-time mentor, Kevin A. Miller, editorial vice president of Christianity Today and former editor of Leadership Journal. May you taste the sweetness of God’s blessing as you seek God’s will and live out your call.

—Dave Goetz, editor of LeadershipJournal.com and executive editor of PreachingToday.com. To comment on this devotional, e-mail Newsletter@LeadershipJournal.net.