by MoreToThinkAbout » Wed Oct 31, 2018 3:57 pm
Donotdoit wrote:Devon Jones wrote:I'm about to enter Phase 2 and I would like to work in ministry at a non profit organization.
But Im restricted to do so because of this 1.5 year contract.
I want out of it...can someone help me transition smoothy with this process
As a fellow person of faith, a SMART scholar and a family member to loads of ministry professionals, I advise you to finish your contract with SMART. Let’s be honest- ministers aren’t called to work for the paychecks. If you leave the SMART program, you have to repay your tuition, salary/stipend, health and supplies allowances and whatever else. A ministry professional at a non-profit will struggle to repay the government money SMART invested in you.
Is there a way to find something (church, non profit) with a similar mission to the one you want to work for near your SF? You could volunteer on the side until your contract is up. A year and a half of delay isn’t worth crippling debt.
I’ll pray for your guidance!
To add on to what this poster said, you may also be able to find (or create) opportunities at your SF to do the type of work you are being called to do as a part of your work duties. I considered breaking my agreement to follow my calling, but decided I would try to make it work. Once I was at my SF, I was able to find all sorts opportunities related to DoD programs where I could pursue my calling, while also fulfilling the service commitment. Its now reached the point, where I might be staying after my commitment is over. You won't be able to spend all day every day doing it, but even if you find little ways to put 10% of your time at work towards it, it might be better that indebting yourself.
The other thing is, payback is prorated. If you say to yourself, "I'm going to give this a try for 6 months," when that time is over, you will have reduced your debt by 33%. If you make it a year you are down to 66%...
[quote="Donotdoit"][quote="Devon Jones"]I'm about to enter Phase 2 and I would like to work in ministry at a non profit organization.
But Im restricted to do so because of this 1.5 year contract.
I want out of it...can someone help me transition smoothy with this process[/quote]
As a fellow person of faith, a SMART scholar and a family member to loads of ministry professionals, I advise you to finish your contract with SMART. Let’s be honest- ministers aren’t called to work for the paychecks. If you leave the SMART program, you have to repay your tuition, salary/stipend, health and supplies allowances and whatever else. A ministry professional at a non-profit will struggle to repay the government money SMART invested in you.
Is there a way to find something (church, non profit) with a similar mission to the one you want to work for near your SF? You could volunteer on the side until your contract is up. A year and a half of delay isn’t worth crippling debt.
I’ll pray for your guidance![/quote]
To add on to what this poster said, you may also be able to find (or create) opportunities at your SF to do the type of work you are being called to do as a part of your work duties. I considered breaking my agreement to follow my calling, but decided I would try to make it work. Once I was at my SF, I was able to find all sorts opportunities related to DoD programs where I could pursue my calling, while also fulfilling the service commitment. Its now reached the point, where I might be staying after my commitment is over. You won't be able to spend all day every day doing it, but even if you find little ways to put 10% of your time at work towards it, it might be better that indebting yourself.
The other thing is, payback is prorated. If you say to yourself, "I'm going to give this a try for 6 months," when that time is over, you will have reduced your debt by 33%. If you make it a year you are down to 66%...