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Artwork for Life After Ministry

Life After Ministry

Matt & Marilee Davis
Burnout
Ministry Transitions
Ministry Transition
Transition
Faith
Mental Health
Pastoral Care
Community Support
Leadership
Ministry
Church Leadership
Succession Planning
Pastoral Transitions
Grief
Forced Terminology
Transformational Suffering
Community Building
Wilderness
Covid-19
Healing

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 Christian 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, ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes97Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ChristianityNon-ProfitReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Life After Ministry

Latest Episodes

Most ministry leaders expect to decide when they step away. Dennis Atwood never had that opportunity.

After serving churches for nearly three decades, Dennis was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease. He quietly carried the diagnosis for ye... more

Missionaries spend years preparing to go to the field, but few are prepared for what it feels like to come home.

After serving six years in Germany, Nate and Brittany Bruns share the unexpected challenges of returning to the United States, navigatin... more

Few ministry leaders expect the end of their pastoral chapter to unfold differently than they imagined. Yet for many, transition arrives carrying both grief and unexpected opportunity.

In this honest conversation, Scott Sauls reflects on stepping a... more

Founder transitions are some of the most difficult moments in ministry leadership, but they don't have to end poorly.

After leading the church he planted for 27 years, Keith Spurgin shares the lessons he learned about succession, feedback, sabbatic... more

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Recent Guests

Nate Bruns
Missionary; co-leader with Brittany, leader of Bruns Tribe
Bruns Tribe
Episode: When Home Becomes the Mission Field (featuring Nate & Brittany Bruns)
Brittany Bruns
Missionary; co-leader with Nate, leader of Bruns Tribe
Bruns Tribe
Episode: When Home Becomes the Mission Field (featuring Nate & Brittany Bruns)
Scott Sauls
Pastor and author, discussing his transition from pastoral leadership to leadership coaching and faith-work integration
Sycamore Community; author
Episode: Ministry, Mercy & Moving Forward (featuring Scott Sauls)
Keith Spurgin
Pastor and author who led a church for 27 years and later wrote Unknown; founder of The Growth Resourcing Group
Unknown book and leadership network
Episode: Healthy Pastors Plan Healthy Exits (featuring Keith Spurgin)
Steve Cummings
Founder of Bringing Kingdom, former nonprofit executive, author
Bringing Kingdom
Episode: Finding Ministry at Home Depot (featuring Steve Cummings)
Gary Blackard
President and CEO of Adult & Teen Challenge USA
Adult & Teen Challenge USA
Episode: Hope Is Within Reach (featuring Gary Blackard)
Will Acuff
Author and founder of Corner to Corner; subject of No Elevator to Everest
Corner to Corner
Episode: No Elevator to Everest (featuring Will Acuff)
Shawn Gwaltney
Former pastor, business strategist, real estate investor
Self-Employed / Shawn Gwaltney Enterprises
Episode: A Wealth of Ministry Outside of Ministry (featuring Shawn Gwaltney)
Dr. Andrew Hale
Author of Mending the Fracturing Church
Author, speaker on church leadership
Episode: Mending the Fracturing Church (featuring Dr. Andrew Hale)

Host

Matt Davis
Host of Life After Ministry Podcast

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 79 ratings
  • So helpful

    This is a topic that too few people are speaking into. Really grateful for Matt and his help to others in the transition process.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DonRoss_MT
    United States7 months ago
  • Thank you!

    Thank you for shining a light on this subject. My husband has worked at 2 churches and he has had similar experiences of hurt. Thankful the Lord is still good and faithful!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Christakidd
    United States3 years ago
  • What is needed!

    This podcast is soo good. Marilee and Matt do a terrific job of speaking to life after ministry. Both from their own perspective but also as they interview and talk with others. Heartfelt, sincere and genuine. The world needs this podcast! Thank you for doing this.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BK-TheHumanOne
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests often bring actionable insights for governance and succession.
The host pairing with guests creates a credible, faith-centered discussion that feels practical, not just aspirational.
Feedback often highlights the show's focus on practical steps over abstract theory.
Listeners appreciate the compassionate, honest exploration of burnout and transition.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ministry, Mercy & Moving Forward (featuring Scott Sauls)
Q: So before we get into what you're doing today, what did you come from? What were you doing?
Scott explains a long arc of ministry—from planting and pastoring churches in Kansas City and St. Louis to staff roles at Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC, then lead pastor in Nashville, followed by a pivot into leadership coaching and building the Sycamore Community.
When Home Becomes the Mission Field (featuring Nate & Brittany Bruns)
Q: What was your kids' reaction to returning to the U.S. and the transition for them?
Older child stayed more American-identified and finished high school there; younger kids adapted differently, with direct German-influenced communication; the family navigated identity and roots in transition.
When Home Becomes the Mission Field (featuring Nate & Brittany Bruns)
Q: What did ministry look like in Germany, beyond stereotypes?
Relational ministry—getting to know people, listening to their life stories, learning the language, and using those connections to have deeper conversations about spirituality and the gospel.
When Home Becomes the Mission Field (featuring Nate & Brittany Bruns)
Q: As an American couple, what moved you in the first place to say we want to go serve in Germany?
God moved us through job loss and a season of desert wandering; it became clear through relationship-building and listening that He wanted us to engage in Germany with a relational ministry approach.
Healthy Pastors Plan Healthy Exits (featuring Keith Spurgin)
Q: How do you guard against relationships ending poorly after such transitions?
By maintaining strong relationships within the executive team, continuing to seek feedback, and recognizing that people move on; the sabbatical experience also built muscles for healthy distance and reinvestment later.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Life After Ministry

What is Life After Ministry about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on navigating life after vocational ministry, exploring how leaders move from church or faith-based organizations into new chapters. Across episodes, listeners hear candid stories of burnout, identity shifts, succession, and the practical steps that help organizations and individuals transition with integrity. Guests range from pastors and ministry leaders to nonprofit executives and governance experts, all discussing leadership, culture, and faith during times of change. It's likely to appeal to current or aspiring ministry leaders, former pastors, and anyone wrestling with purpose, community, and reinvention within faith-driven work. A notable strength is its focus on tangible strategies—succession planning, governance, a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Life After Ministry?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Life After Ministry:

1. The Jewish Road Podcast
2. The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast
3. The Daily

How many episodes of Life After Ministry are there?

Life After Ministry launched 3 years ago and published 97 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Life After Ministry?

Recent guests on Life After Ministry include:

1. Nate Bruns
2. Brittany Bruns
3. Scott Sauls
4. Keith Spurgin
5. Steve Cummings
6. Gary Blackard
7. Will Acuff
8. Shawn Gwaltney

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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