worked for the Church for 16 years and retired and entered the general workforce. It paid me a lot more, but I've also lost my position 2 times due to the company being sold, and 1 job because the company was going bankrupt. Now I believe I'm with a company that I can ride into my permanent retirement in 3 years. You always have hanging over your head the idea that if the Church could find missionaries to do your work, they'd do that. That's kind of what happened to me. I was given an incredible severance package and thought I kind of wanted to work closer to home and make more money. I've made more money, but now I work farther away from home than I ever did working for the Church.

I miss the feeling of having a job that you knew if the Millennium hit tomorrow that you'd still have a viable job. It was a very good work environment. Benefits were exceptional. I had more sick time and vacation time than I could ever use. The corporate world I've worked in subsequently has lacked greatly in that regard. Church employment looked at the individual in regards to enhancing his/her life. I've not encountered that anywhere else. I hear there are companies out there that are like that, just never had the opportunity to be employed by one.

I don't miss whatsoever having to wear a suit every day to work, but bottom line it was a great experience.