The Great Reset

As I was planning to write this blog, I came across a Facebook post from a person whose career I have followed for a couple of decades. This is a guy that I really admire. He posted a long narrative on his FB page that said that he is no longer pursuing the “big dream” but has decided that there is a better way to do life. He has pulled his resume decided to concentrate on a trade where he can work with his hands, something that gives him great satisfaction.

A key ingredient in this decision was his experience during the COVID crisis. He thought that eventually the financial need would cause him to get serious about finding a job and get back to the expectations that others had for him. Well, it’s not happening that way.

There are many people out there who have experienced an alternate reality during the pandemic, and it has changed their perspective on life. Some call this “the Great Resignation” as many choose to give up their salaried positions and go in another direction. I think of it as “the Great Reset” that will have implications in many areas of life, particularly in congregations.

For the last year, I could come up with surveys that indicated one of the following: clergy resignation and early retirements were up, they were down, or there was no change. Now there is much more evidence that the first is true. Clergy leaders are leaving the local church to do something else.

These departures have been attributed to stress, conflict, dissatisfaction, burn out, or inability to change one’s style of ministry. There is another side to this. The seismic changes we are experiencing have encouraged individuals to seek life balance, better health (physical and emotional), personal fulfillment, and flexibility. The phrase “life is too short to put up with this” comes to mind.

There are risks and downsides to making such a choice, of course. There are financial challenges, the loss of various benefits, and the uncertainty in trying something new. But these are offset as individuals ask fundamental questions about fulfillment, relationships, and generativity.

I realize these choices are not open to everyone and further highlight the socioeconomic and racial disparities in our culture. The more highly educated and financially stable have more freedom to opt out of the rat race. Even so, those at the lower end of the wage scale are feed up with being used, disrespected, and commodified. There are changes there as well.

If one chooses to take the leap, here are some things to consider.

First, invest in your own spiritual health. Practice spiritual disciplines that will keep you grounded and generate fresh insights about the path you are pursuing.

Second, develop a plan for sustainability. Look for a mentor, engage with a coach, and find a peer group to stand with you during these times.

Third, cultivate relationships with spouse, family, and friends to keep you connected to what you value. This enhances your emotional stability.

Fourth, don’t settle until you find what gives you real fulfillment. You may have to do some things to sustain yourself and your family short-term but keep seeking the place where you can be who you have been called to be.

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