Life After Ministry

Summary In this conversation, Pastor Toney Parks shares his journey from an unlikely candidate to becoming a pastor and his experiences growing up in Birmingham. He discusses the influence of Martin Luther King Jr. and the importance of community in the black church. Pastor Par...

Summary Jon Morrison shares his journey from vocational ministry to entrepreneurship. He discusses his call to ministry, the catalyst that brought him out of ministry, and the challenges he faced during the scrambling season. Jon emphasizes the transferable skills that pastors ...

Summary Alan Ramsey shares his journey of transitioning out of vocational ministry and into a new career. He discusses the challenges and emotions he faced during this transition, as well as the support he received from his church leadership. Alan highlights the transferable sk...

Summary In this conversation, Ian and Sharalee Smith share their journey of transitioning in and out of ministry and the lessons they have learned along the way. They discuss the decision to have six children and the challenges and blessings of raising a large family. They also...

This conversation explores the challenges and struggles faced by pastors and their families in ministry. The guests, Shawn and Sonny Hennessy, share their personal journey of leaving ministry and finding restoration. They discuss the need for emotional growth, the systemic issu...

Summary Dr. Michael Shafer shares his journey of transitioning out of full-time ministry and starting G6 Allies, a ministry that supports pastors and church leaders. He discusses the challenges he faced, including being blindsided by his termination and the impact it had on his...

Summary Dane Sanders shares his journey from vocational ministry to his current work with Men and Women of Discomfort. He discusses the challenges faced in vocational ministry and the need for better transitions and support within the Christian community. Dane explains the conc...

Summary In this episode of the Life After Ministry podcast, titled ”Ministry In The Military,” we explore a path that many pastors might not have considered: becoming a military chaplain. Our guest, Chaplain Jordan Huggins, shares his firsthand experience serving in both the US...

Summary Dr. Dee Dee Mayer discusses the importance of board governance within the church and the need for training and support for governing boards. She shares her research on the role of elder boards in supporting wellness in pastoral leadership and the challenges they face. D...

Summary It’s the reason we started the Life After Ministry podcast: the distressing experiences of leadership figures within the ministry who’ve faced the severe blow of unjust terminations or forced resignations. Join us as we explore this crucial topic with Dr. Matthew Tanner...

Summary In this episode of the ”Life After Ministry” podcast, Dillon Fawcett candidly shares his unique journey, transitioning from pastoral ministry and his entry point into the world of mental health counseling. With honesty and vulnerability, Dillon opens up about the ups an...

Summary This conversation explores the experiences of Brian James and Michelle McMahon as they transitioned out of vocational ministry and created safe spaces for pastors and church leaders. They discuss the challenges of being in ministry, the importance of vulnerability and a...

Summary In this episode, Matt Davis interviews J. Ricardo Smith at the Classic City Conference in Athens, Georgia. They discuss the purpose and origins of the conference, the state of the black church post-COVID, the challenges of identity and transition in ministry, finding ho...

Summary Kyle and Maria Isabelli share their experience of being fired from their church ministry and the emotional impact it had on them. They discuss the process of being let go, the loss they felt, and the journey of healing and finding purpose again. Kyle wrote a book titled...

As we wrap up an incredible first season of the ”Life After Ministry” podcast, join us, Matt and Marilee Davis, in reflecting on the profound insights and heartwarming stories we’ve encountered. This journey hasn’t just been about sharing stories - it’s been a path of personal ...

Clayton Stenson shares his journey of transitioning from ministry to a new career and finding hope and purpose in life after ministry. He discusses his background in ministry, the challenges he faced, and the support he received during a difficult time of grief and loss. Clayto...

Tom Dyke shares his journey from ministry to starting his own business. He discusses his background in Manitoba, Canada, and his various roles in ministry, including being a youth pastor and overseeing family ministries. Tom initiated his departure from ministry due to challeng...

In this episode, Pastor Dan Broyles discusses the challenges pastors face when seeking counseling and the importance of grieving their own losses. He also highlights the need for pastors to connect with others outside their church community and provides hope for those in times ...

In this conversation, Jon Sanders shares his journey from being a pastor to transitioning into a new season of ministry. He discusses the calling that led him into ministry and the challenges he faced along the way. Jon also explores the concept of bivocational ministry and the...

In this episode of the Life After Ministry podcast, we tackle a critical issue that often serves as a catalyst for pastoral transitions: burnout. While our mission at Pastoral Transitions is to support ministry leaders in their journey out of ministry, we’re equally passionate ...

In ”Facing And Forgiving Those Who Hurt You,” the ninth episode of the Life After Ministry podcast, we’re invited into the world of Ryan and Lindsay Gentles. It’s a tale of closing a decade-long chapter in ministry, of navigating farewells that feel more like eulogies than cele...

In Episode 8, we sit down with Gary Weaber, who poured his heart into pastoral ministry for over three and a half decades. Imagine, after 36 dedicated years, facing a conversation with your elders about stepping down from your teaching role. Most pastors dread this talk, fearin...

Just mentioning ”church hurt” will hit home for many of you. It’s baffling. The very place we’d expect to find solace and healing often turns out to be a source of deep wounds. If this resonates with you, you’re not alone, and this episode is a must-listen. Our guest, Shane McD...

We sat down with Justin and Amanda McNeil at the American Association of Christian Counselors conference, and their story is nothing short of compelling. What sets their story apart is its testament to the notion that transitions out of vocational ministry don’t have to be fill...

In Episode 5, ”Pain Is A Teacher,” we sit down with the inspiring couple, Gary & Lisa Black, to discuss the transformative power of enduring life’s toughest transitions. From losing a spouse and a child to navigating numerous shifts in ministry, Gary and Lisa have amassed a wea...