Episode 66 - When Calling Becomes a Mirror: Finding Significance Again (featuring Joshua Gordon)
Telling stories of turning transition into transformation. There is Life After Ministry.
When a beloved role ends, identity gets loud.
In this candid conversation, Joshua Gordon traces his journey from ministry-adjacent entrepreneur to a surprising new assignment after his business collapsed in COVID. A trusted friend’s hard words, deep prayer, and patient community became “spiritual physio” that restored his sense of self in Christ.
We talk about the gap between intention and impact in church transitions, why being “driven” can hide quiet desperation, and how to hear God’s still small voice before things are literally on fire.
Josh shares the practical and pastoral moves that protected his marriage, his kids, and his future calling.
If you are a leader facing an ending, a board guiding one, or a pastor recovering from one, this episode offers language, wisdom, and hope. Faithfulness isn’t empire building. It’s walking with Jesus in ordinary choices that shape a lifetime.
Key Takeaways
Intention without action creates collateral damage in transitions.
“Driven” can be desperation in disguise; identity must relocate from role to Christ.
God often speaks through memory, community, and quiet checks in the soul.
Invite truth-telling friends. Love risks being misunderstood to protect you.
Over-preparation can be control; trust requires limits on our need to manage outcomes.
Measure success by faithfulness to Jesus and people, not by platform.
Healthy endings open a window for deep heart work and future freedom.
Chapter Markers
00:00 Cold open, Canadians and calling
03:20 Intention vs impact in church transitions
07:30 PK expectations and disillusionment
10:20 Building a ministry-minded business
12:40 COVID collapse and costly layoffs
16:20 Untangling identity from role
18:45 A memory from God that exposed motive
28:55 “Physio” for the soul and daily trust
38:00 Friendship that told the hard truth
47:50 Closing one work, starting another
52:15 Learning to follow quiet discernment
59:30 Wealth redefined: family, faith, and freedom
1:04:15 Kingdom over empire, final blessing
If you’re facing a ministry transition - or helping someone through one - visit MinistryTransitions.com to find confidential guidance, resources, and hope for what’s next.
For more from Joshua Gordon and The Lead Pastor, visit here: https://theleadpastor.com/
Find resources. Find hope.
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