I am going to go to school... now that I have made that decision, I find myself with that question that most go through during high school... what do I do?

The obvious choice for me, would be vet tech. as I love animals, love taking care of them, have already taken 2 years of a college prep course in animal health care... its something I enjoy and would be good at.


However

I posted this here in the religeon board, because of this.

I feel god is pulling me to go to school for christianity. Getting my degree in religeon and religeons training and learning. And possibly becoming an ordained minsiter, maybe become a 'womans minister' or something of that nature (I don't believe god would want me to become a pastor of a church, as I am a mother and my prioritys would be conflicted when supporting my flock of parishoners as well as caring for my daughter) but perhaps being an assistant to a pastor, a youth pastor, woman's pastor, prayer leader, administrator, something of that nature

I would be happy doing this. I love god and jesus, and I am always looking to learn more.

My only concern, brings us to my question...

My schooling is for the purpose of being able to get a job to support my daughter and I.
Would any of these job oportunitys be adequate to support a family? Or should it be a minor study rather than a major and go for vet tech as well as taking some religeon classes? I'm not sure what the financial oportunitys are and not sure how much money I would be able to make in that field.

Thank you for your time.

If you want to make a "good" living working for a church, I will ask what denomination are you. I can throw out Baptist, Catholic and several others that would not allow women ministers.

If you look at all ministers in the US, most are not paid a living wage and many have to work a part time job often just to afford their families.

Next what is your required "income" OK you don't have to say here, but unless you are working for large churches, most ast pastors or youth ministers make 20,000 to 30000 for full time and the majority are in smaller churches making a lot less since they are considered part time.

In fact many youth ministers and music ministers are not even paid.

I'm non denominational christian. I have been to baptist churches, southern baptist, lutheren, nazerethe, presbetyeran, and I've even been to... I forget what its called, but its jewish that accepts jesus as the savior.

I feel most at home in churches that are specifically non denominational. But sometimes that would cause issues as that brings several denominations together, and many of them would be against women in power lol.


My required income is accually really low. Me my daughter and ex husband lived pretty well on barely 10,000 a year. It was hard, but comfratable. And I can certainly do that with just me and my duaghter, as we don't eat nearly as much food as my husband did lol, and we wouldn't need such a large place to live in. we could live VERY well on 20,000 a year.

Thank you for the info hon. It sounds like I should go for my degree in animal care, and minor in christianity and take some classes there as well.

I'm the oldest child of a minister, so I grew up in a parsonage, watching how much my father gave to the church and his parishioners for very little salary (but he got back lots of love and respect -- and tons of produce from the farmers). I became a Lutheran teacher and didn't earn much but, like my dad, got lots of love and respect. But love and respect don't pay the bills...

I suggest you go into the animal care field and have a specialty such as be an expert with small animals or reptiles/amphibians or doing acupuncture/chiropractic on animals.

The federal government puts out a nifty career book every two years. Here's a link to the current edition, so you can check vet tech and other jobs with their search feature (be sure to look at the earnings chapter for each):

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos183.htm)

Thanks WG :) I'm going to go look at that link as soon as I'm done with giving ayla a bath.

I guess I don't want to talk anyone out of the ministry, but it is a called field, and you go because you have to since in your heart there is no other choice. You never do it for the money.

Now a issue, once you pick a denomination, you are almost stuck.
If you are a baptist youth pastor ( not that most would allow a women) but you will have little chance of latter going to a Lutheran church or a Methodist church, since all have very strict education and denominational rules and conditions.

I get chances to go to Anglican and Methodist chruches as a guest pastor but could not get hired as fulll time because of all of the denominational rules.

And not sure size of town you live in, but there are limited churches in specific areas and sadly most pastors don't last long in many churches and have to move on to other churches over time.

So opinion, short term go into Vet, and do part time work for a church working in what ever ministry interests you, children, music and dozens of others.

And if you are called for the ministry it will come

You can always be a volunteer for a church by helping cook and serve dinners, gardening around the property, leading Sunday School or adult Bible study classes, being part of their Stephen's Ministry (in Lutheranland, it's a counseling team that helps church members with personal/emotional/spiritual problems), being part of or leading a grief support group or women's support group. Like Fr_Chuck said, the vet-something career would be a sure thing for a decent paycheck, and you could always move into the church worker field as you feel called and as you get involved with a congregation.

Ayla won't be little forever, so now is a good time to be at home and also go to school while she's in school. Then, as she becomes more independent and can help out more, you can dig into a career.

Thank you both. I agree, your both right. Looking for a career as far as stability, vet tech would be a better choice, and maybe taking a part time job in a church on the side.

I do agree that working in a church is a calling. I've felt like I've needed to be involved in the church for a while. When I was 17 I brought it up, but it was to my familys current pastor, who like you said, was avidly against women doing ANYTHING in the church other than choir or child care. And so him and his wife deturred me away from it. But I keep feeling it come back.

Those are excellent ideas, about going to school for my vet tech license, and then doing church affiliated work on the side.

jenniepepsi,
In my opinion, both Fr_Chuck and wondergirl have given you some good advice.
I do have a suggestion because I know of people who have done it and that is to work as a helper of some sort for a veterinarian.
You have had some education in the field already so maybe you could get hired, part time, as a vet assistant.
It is a way to earn while you are getting more of an education in the field.
Good luck to you in your efforts and for helping God's wonderful animals.
Peace and kindness,
Fred