Do You Go or Do You Stay?
Friday, August 17, 2007
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Been talking to quite a few youth workers in transition these days, and been posting some good articles on the subject recently, too. This analogy has been floating around in my head with these people in mind. Thoughts?
Let's say you work for Microsoft.I know the analogy breaks down on some levels and totally doesn't account for God's Spirit, but I'm still curious what you think.
But, you love what Apple is doing. In fact, what Apple is doing fits your giftedness and you see how you could fit on their team so well. You see incredible dedication, innovation and an environment where it is at least expected if not demanded. Microsoft is the giant, with a huge share of the industry's market - but Apple, smaller but growing, has a huge share of the industry's innovation.
But ... you work for Microsoft. Microsoft needs you - they have plans for innovation and creativity, your charter is to help it head towards Apple-like status, in fact, to head down that road then blow right past the rebellion. But you see the barriers. You see trends in the past where product releases have been underwhelming and you've seen it up close for so long all you see are the flaws. You compare yourself endlessly to Apple, and you wonder if you would be ultimately be more fulfilled over there.
Do you go or do you stay?
JG
posted by Unknown @ 10:56 AM |
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7 Comments:
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At 8/17/2007,
Ange said...
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I think it's important to go where your heart is. If your heart is in another company, you should go there. I think people cheat their place of employment by not being 100% dedicated. If you're not on board 100% w/ the vision, leadership, and values -- it's time to go somewhere else...at least that's what I think...
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At 8/17/2007,
.justin said...
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brilliant analogy.
i totally relate.
soemtimes i wonder if i could "cut it" in places like apple, but i know i can be "the man" at places like microsoft.
fear, insecurity, pride...
very interesting. -
At 8/17/2007,
said...
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The greatest thing in the world is you never have to worry about making a decision like this. If you've got wise, diserning Christ followers around you and you are praying about it. Then God's gonna show you the right door. Money, fame, even personal happiness don't even really matter, right?
Then let's say you make the decision and you hate it? Well maybe God's teaching you something. Maybe you are suppose to just be there to serve.
Something like 76% of the world's population never get to pick their profession.
Your worst day is better than ANY day for some people. -
At 8/19/2007,
Unknown said...
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nice analogy josh. I appreciate it. It is hard sometimes to articulate the position to someone who does not understand ministry setting. I can use this really well.
thanks dude -
At 8/20/2007,
Nick said...
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It's easy to look on the outside of a company or church and see the evidence of what each one has that either fit you or don't fit you, in terms of your gifts and talents.
However, in this analogy, I am sure at one time you felt that you were the perfect fit for Microsoft, but over the years, due to circumstances, lost some of that passion. Looking across the fence to the greener grass of Apple, it is very tempting to run towards what looks like the better fit.
But, what if the pressures of not being Apple, is what drives you to be more innovative, to create more of an "Apple" product where you currently are? Once you are in the Apple environment that drive will cease because you are there, no longer are you a "creative" thinker, or an "out-of-the-box" producer. Your ideas may no longer be new and fresh, they may dwindle to only being average. What's on the outside is not evident with what is on the inside, you may easily find that you fit the "outside" of Apple very well, but you are not compatible with them on the "inside." You may identify with them on their finished product, but you may find that getting to the finished product with them is not as easy as it looked.
That's why I totally dig the God thing, because he gives us discernment in these areas! Whew!!!
Last thought...I've kid of picked this up from McManus...don't settle for either Microsoft or Apple, be an innovator and allow God to use you to create a new company, using the best of both worlds...Maybe you could call it "Applesoft?" -
At 8/20/2007,
Unknown said...
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Applesoft - I love it! And of course, exactly what Microsoft needs is more "Apple people." If everyone great leaves Microsoft, they'll be hurting once again.
Just because there are greener pastures nearby, it doesn't mean they are for you. Bloom Where Your Planted is a great old-school book on the subject, and I think the phrase "it's always greener near the septic tank" may also apply.
JG -
At 8/20/2007,
said...
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I've been reading this blog for a while, but haven't ever felt compelled to post a comment until now.
What you wrote really resonated with me. I'm a first-year youth worker at a small church in Central New York, and while my church is great and I can see a great vision for it in the future, it's tough to be in this area. Sometimes I wonder if it would be easier/more fulfilling moving to an area where church is more of a way of life and I wouldn't have to work so hard to get kids to come to events. I guess sometimes I feel like I'd like to go somewhere where I could do more ministry and less "come to church" gimmicks.
…and then I think of Christ – Matthew 9:12. “…It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” I’m not sure when God will call me somewhere else, but I want to strive to do what He asks while I’m here, regardless of the troubles I might face (lack of funds and volunteers, etc.). Going somewhere else might be good for me, but it might not be that great for my church and the kids that I’ve started to build relationships with.
So, do you stay or do you go? …I guess that the way I’m thinking about it now is that, as someone stated above, God gives us discernment and helps teach us what the wise decisions are. Through discernment, God will help you see what you need to do for His glory. And if you’re not doing it for His glory, it’s probably not the wisest decision. Just my two cents, anyway.
~Kevin.
