Episode 57: Absolute Best Practices of Nonprofit Boards (featuring Dr. Michael Anthony)
Telling stories of turning transition into transformation. There is Life After Ministry.
Episode Summary
What happens when the call to ministry collides with a crisis of identity? Dr. Michael Anthony has lived it.
In this episode, he joins Matt to talk about the emotional landmines of leadership, surviving betrayal from those you trusted most, and what it takes to stay grounded when everything feels like it’s falling apart.
They talk straight about the stuff most pastors won’t: the shame of silence, the dark spiral of burnout, and why so many leaders feel isolated at the top.
But they don’t stay in the valley.
Dr. Anthony brings the wisdom of both personal experience and deep theological reflection to name what’s really going on - and how we can reclaim our voice, our calling, and our peace.
If you’ve ever been in a room full of people and still felt alone, this one will hit home. It’s raw. It’s honest. And it offers a powerful reminder: your life after ministry isn’t a step down. It might be the beginning of something God was writing all along.
Key Takeaways
Burnout often starts with self-betrayal - when we abandon what we know we need for the sake of ministry demands.
Leaving the pulpit doesn’t mean leaving your purpose.
Leaders need spaces to bleed safely before they lead others to healing.
Real restoration requires honesty, boundaries, and the courage to let go of broken systems.
Chapter Markers
00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Dr. Michael Anthony
04:52 – The invisible weight of pastoral expectations
11:19 – When you lose your voice in the middle of your calling
19:33 – The quiet trauma of spiritual abuse
26:07 – Navigating betrayal in leadership
34:15 – Why God sometimes calls you out of ministry
42:08 – What healing can look like after the platform
49:26 – Encouragement for those in transition
If you’re walking through a ministry transition - or know someone who is - you’re not alone. Connect with us at ministrytransitions.com for coaching, resources, and a path forward. To reach Dr. Michael Anthony directly, email manthony@dts.edu or michael@calibrateglobalconsulting.com.
Find resources. Find hope.
This is a sanctuary for those who've experienced a transition out of church or nonprofit Christian leadership roles. Our mission is to provide a platform for sharing, learning, and growing through each other's experiences.
A place for elders needing answers.
Welcome to the Elder Hub, a platform designed to uplift, empower, and unite elders across Christian denominations. This group serves as support and guidance for those entrusted with the weighty responsibility of making critical decisions within churches and nonprofit ministries.
