Life After Ministry
Many of us have experienced the sting of losing a job. But there’s something uniquely challenging about leaving a position in full-time vocational ministry. Whether you’re stepping down from a church or leaving a kingdom nonprofit, it’s not as simple as just changing jobs. Suddenly, everything changes. You’re left navigating not just a career transition, but also a profound shift in identity, community, and daily routines. It feels like stepping into an unknown, filled with questions like, ”What’s next? How do I redefine myself outside the ministry? How do I maintain my faith amidst this transition?” Welcome to the Life After Ministry Podcast. We’ve been there, navigating the complex journey from vocational ministry to a new chapter in our lives. We’ll explore stories of transformation, hear from those who’ve walked this path before, and provide practical strategies to turn your transition into transformation.
Episodes
6 days ago
6 days ago
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 Parks reflects on his 32 years of pastoring a church and the decision to retire. He emphasizes the need for pastors to prepare for retirement and shares his own plans for life after ministry.
Takeaways
The black church has played a significant role in the African American community, providing a sense of family and community.
Pastors in the black community often retire later in life or die in the pulpit due to various factors such as financial constraints and fear of the unknown.
Retiring from ministry requires careful planning and preparation, both financially and emotionally.
There is life after ministry, and retired pastors can continue to serve and make a difference in their communities through teaching and mentoring.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Purpose of the Conference01:40 - Unlikely Candidate to Pastor03:07 - Encountering Jesus and Growing Up in Birmingham07:45 - Influence of Martin Luther King Jr.11:31 - Pastoring a Church for 32 Years23:57 - Retiring from Ministry29:39 - Life After Ministry38:33 - Preparing for Retirement46:33 - Closing Remarks
Saturday Apr 20, 2024
Trusting The Good Shepherd (featuring Jon Morrison)
Saturday Apr 20, 2024
Saturday Apr 20, 2024
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 possess and how they can be applied in the marketplace. He shares his own experiences in entrepreneurship and highlights the blessings and opportunities that come with life after ministry. Jon encourages pastors to have hope and embrace the new possibilities that await them.
Takeaways
There is life after vocational ministry, and it can be fulfilling and rewarding.
Pastors possess transferable skills that can be applied in the marketplace.
Adaptability, communication, leadership, and the ability to simplify complex ideas are valuable skills for pastors in the marketplace.
Life after ministry offers opportunities for personal growth, financial stability, and the ability to pursue other passions and interests.
Trusting in God's plan and providence is essential during the transition from ministry to a new career.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Recording Setup00:29 - Background and Call to Ministry03:06 - Catalyst for Leaving Ministry06:09 - Lifelong Commitment to Ministry?08:36 - Scrambling Season and Finding Work09:18 - Discovering Entrepreneurship12:52 - Life After Vocational Ministry16:56 - Transferable Skills from Ministry23:39 - God's Plan and Providence32:54 - Is There Life After Ministry?
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Hope, Healing, and Health After Ministry (featuring Alan Ramsey)
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
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 skills he gained from ministry and how they apply to his current role as a corporate chaplain. He emphasizes the importance of giving oneself time to grieve and process the end of a ministry season. Alan also shares his perspective on finding hope, healing, and health in life after ministry.
Takeaways
Transitioning out of vocational ministry can be a challenging and emotional process.
Transferable skills gained from ministry can be valuable in a new career.
Giving oneself time to grieve and process the end of a ministry season is important.
Finding hope, healing, and health in life after ministry is possible.
Chapters
01:00 Background and Ministry Experience
04:24 Transitioning Out of Ministry
06:05 Recognizing the End of a Season
08:00 Navigating the Transition
10:51 Leaving Vocational Ministry
14:45 Day Zero and Starting a New Job
19:06 Ministry in a Different Context
23:08 Identity and Titles
25:12 Grieving and Processing the Transition
29:55 Hope, Healing, and Health
31:44 Embracing the Assignment
32:16 Conclusion
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
The Wilderness Paradox (featuring Ian & Sharalee Smith)
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
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 talk about living in the wilderness and the importance of trusting God in uncertain times. They share their experiences of stepping out in faith and the invitation to know God on a deeper level. Finally, they discuss their current work with the Hero Collective and the importance of living one day at a time.
Takeaways
Transitioning in and out of ministry can be a challenging and transformative experience.
Trusting God in uncertain times and stepping out in faith can lead to unexpected blessings.
Living in the wilderness can be a time of refinement and growth, where God invites us to know Him on a deeper level.
Finding and embracing our unique identity and purpose is key to living a fulfilling life.
Living one day at a time and trusting God's provision and guidance is essential in navigating an unpredictable future.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Family Background
01:01 - The Decision to Have Six Children
03:07 - Transitioning in and out of Ministry
05:19 - Lessons Learned in Ministry
14:48 - Living in the Wilderness
18:11 - Stepping Out in Faith
21:44 - Experiencing God in the Wilderness
25:50 - Longing for the Comfort of the Past
29:15 - Living with an Unpredictable God
32:56 - Life After Ministry and the Hero Collective
38:39 - Living One Day at a Time
39:26 - Conclusion
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
Forfeiting Your Soul In Ministry (featuring Shawn & Sonny Hennessy)
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
Summary
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 issues within the church, and the importance of creating a culture of vulnerability. They also highlight their work in providing a retreat center for pastors and individuals in need of healing and restoration. The conversation emphasizes the idea that there is life after ministry and that God can use individuals in various ways outside of traditional ministry roles.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Background
02:59 - Call into Ministry
05:07 - Struggles and Exit from Ministry
08:03 - Identity Crisis and Challenges
10:58 - The Need for Emotional Growth
11:50 - Issues with Church Leadership
17:18 - The Systemic Problem in Ministry
18:17 - Changes in Ministry Approach
25:17 - The Retreat Center and Restoration
31:30 - Creating a Culture of Vulnerability
36:39 - Finding Purpose Outside of Ministry
Sunday Mar 10, 2024
Sunday Mar 10, 2024
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 family. Despite the difficulties, he found healing and purpose in helping other pastors and their families through G6 Allies. He also shares his experience of starting G6 Church and the importance of building resilient Christian leaders. Overall, his story highlights the resilience and faithfulness of God in the midst of life's challenges.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background03:04 Transitioning out of Full-Time Ministry09:23 Dealing with the Blindsiding and Anger12:14 Starting G6 Allies17:17 G6 Allies: Building Resilient Christian Leaders19:19 Supporting Pastors' Wives22:18 Starting G6 Church25:01 Life After Ministry28:11 Connecting with G6 Allies
Sunday Mar 10, 2024
Choosing Discomfort (featuring Dane Sanders)
Sunday Mar 10, 2024
Sunday Mar 10, 2024
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 concept of Men and Women of Discomfort, a program that focuses on intentional discomfort to foster personal growth and strength. The goal is to be strong and awake for love's sake. He emphasizes the importance of community in this process and the power of suffering together.
This conversation explores the power of community and authentic confession in the context of discomfort. It highlights the difference between Men and Women of Discomfort and other programs, emphasizing the focus on wholeheartedness rather than perfection.
The conversation delves into the concept of the Valley of Discomfort and the temptation to return to comfort, using the story of the buffalo as a metaphor for running towards the storm. It emphasizes the importance of perspective and purpose in suffering and encourages individuals to choose to embrace discomfort and not waste the season.
The conversation also discusses shifting from 'I have to' to 'I get to' and relating to discomfort as building a cathedral. Finally, it offers guidance on taking the next step and getting in touch with Men and Women of Discomfort.
Takeaways
Vocational ministry often comes with challenges and transitions that can be difficult to navigate.
The Christian community can struggle with effectively supporting individuals going through these transitions.
Men and Women of Discomfort is a program that focuses on intentional discomfort to foster personal growth and strength.
The goal is to be strong and awake for love's sake, living a life that is fully engaged and aligned with one's values.
Community plays a crucial role in the process of intentional discomfort and personal growth. Community and authentic confession can be a powerful source of support and growth in times of discomfort.
Men and Women of Discomfort focuses on wholeheartedness rather than perfection, setting it apart from other programs.
The Valley of Discomfort can be a challenging place, but it is where growth and transformation happen.
Running towards discomfort, like the buffalo running towards the storm, can lead to finding the 'good stuff' and developing resilience.
Having the right perspective and purpose in suffering can help individuals navigate and make the most of difficult seasons.
Choosing to embrace discomfort and seeing it as an opportunity to grow and become stronger can lead to a more fulfilling life.
Shifting from 'I have to' to 'I get to' can change one's mindset and attitude towards discomfort.
Relating to discomfort as building a cathedral can help individuals see the value and purpose in their struggles.
Taking the next step and getting in touch with Men and Women of Discomfort can provide guidance and support for those seeking to navigate discomfort.
There is life after ministry and opportunities for ministry in different seasons of life.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Background
07:20 - Challenges in Vocational Ministry
13:08 - Transitioning and the Christian Community
17:25 - Moving Forward After Ministry
20:33 - Men and Women of Discomfort
26:38 - The Goal: Strong and Awake for Love's Sake
36:42 - The Importance of Community
44:38 - The Power of Community and Authentic Confession
45:31 - The Difference Between Men and Women of Discomfort and Other Programs
48:01 - The Valley of Discomfort and the Temptation to Return to Comfort
50:16 - The Story of the Buffalo and Running Towards the Storm
54:25 - The Importance of Perspective and Purpose in Suffering
57:02 - Choosing to Embrace Discomfort and Not Waste the Season
01:01:33 - Shifting from 'I Have to' to 'I Get to'
01:02:16 - Relating to Discomfort as Building a Cathedral
01:05:04 - Taking the Next Step and Getting in Touch
01:06:12 - Life After Ministry and Ministry After Ministry
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Ministry In The Military (featuring Chaplain Jordan Huggins)
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
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 Air Force and Space Force. For pastors wrestling with "what's next?" Jordan's journey offers a compelling glimpse into a role where ministry skills are not just useful but vital.
Serving as a military chaplain brings unique challenges but also profound opportunities to support service members and their families through spiritual guidance and pastoral care. Jordan talks about what it takes to step into this role, the kind of impact you can expect to have, and why it's been fulfilling for him.
If you're at a crossroads in your ministry career, curious about military chaplaincy, or simply seeking a new avenue where your pastoral skills can make a difference, this conversation is for you. It's a straightforward look at an option that could be your next calling—a chance to serve those who serve.
Chaplain Jordan Huggins shares his journey from military to ministry and back to the military as a chaplain. He discusses the challenges and rewards of ministering to airmen and guardians, providing counseling and support in various situations. Chaplain Huggins also explains the process of becoming a military chaplain and offers guidance for those interested in pursuing this path. He emphasizes the importance of ministry beyond the walls of the church and the privilege of being with people on their worst days.
Takeaways
Transitioning from military to ministry and back to the military as a chaplain is a unique and fulfilling path.
Chaplains play a crucial role in providing counseling and support to military personnel, addressing their spiritual and emotional needs.
Becoming a military chaplain requires an MDiv degree or a master's degree in theology, religious studies, and endorsement from a denomination or faith group.
The process of joining as a chaplain takes about four to six months and involves a thorough evaluation of qualifications and physical fitness.
Ministry after ministry extends beyond the walls of the church and involves being present with people in their most challenging moments.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Background
01:28 - Transition from Military to Ministry
03:11 - Existential Crisis and Return to Faith
04:10 - Ministry Life and Experience
05:27 - Return to Military as a Chaplain
07:18 - Needs of Airmen and Guardians
08:43 - Counseling and Support for Military Personnel
10:04 - Becoming a Military Chaplain
13:10 - Process of Joining as a Chaplain
14:22 - Next Steps for Those Interested
15:17 - Ministry After Ministry
17:10 - Closing Remarks