Episode 96 - Holding Gratitude & Grief (featuring Dennis Atwood)
Telling stories of turning transition into transformation. There is Life After Ministry.
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 years before the progression of the disease forced him to step away from the pastorate he loved.
In this conversation, Dennis reflects on grief, identity, suffering, and why choosing gratitude isn't about denying pain but discovering God's faithfulness in the middle of it.
Key Takeaways
Unexpected health challenges can reshape both ministry and identity.
Grief is a natural part of leaving a calling you deeply love.
Gratitude isn't the absence of suffering but a response to God's faithfulness within it.
Ministry leaders need purpose beyond the title they hold.
God often brings deep spiritual formation through seasons we would never choose.
Chapter Markers
00:00 Dennis' pastoral journey and ministry background
01:45 An early Parkinson's diagnosis changes everything
03:30 Why Dennis kept his diagnosis private for years
07:45 Telling the church and preparing for transition
11:00 Missing ministry more than expected
13:15 Becoming a caregiver and navigating family transition
14:30 Holy discontent and living with purpose
16:20 Choosing gratitude through suffering
20:00 The dark night of the soul and spiritual formation
25:30 Encouragement for leaders whose ministry ended unexpectedly
If you're facing a ministry transition or unexpected life change, start a conversation with a specialist at Ministry Transitions. Learn more about Dennis and his book Choosing Gratitude at Market Square Books.
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.
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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.
