LIFE AFTER
MINISTRY
STORIES OF WHAT NOW AND WHAT’S NEXT
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Episode 104 - Sometimes the Brave Move Is Going Back (featuring Jason VanDevere)
Jason VanDevere once thought returning to his family’s car business would mean he’d failed. When we sat down together, he was planning to go back.
Years earlier, he’d left a path toward becoming a fourth-generation car dealer to create the Goal Crazy planner. Building a business brought opportunities, but leaving also exposed how much of his identity was attached to his work.
We talk about his daily practice of dreaming, what he learned from interviewing business owners, and the disappointment of reaching goals that didn’t make him as happy as he’d expected.
Jason isn’t a pastor, and his experience isn’t a prescription for every ministry transition. His story gives us a useful way to consider what might come next, including how our desires change as we pay more attention to God and the people closest to us.
Facing Life After Ministry can feel hopeless, but it doesn’t have to be.
Whether you've stepped away from your position by choice, or circumstances have forced a change, it's a monumental shift that leaves many wondering, "What's next?" If you're at this crossroads, you may feel alone, overwhelmed, and unsure about the road ahead.
We want you to know that you're not alone in this transition. There's not just life after ministry - there's a chance to thrive.
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Listen to an episode and help us spread the word by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts.
“Just listened to Matt and Marilee unpacked their own story in episode one. So generous, honest, and invitational. Thanks for meeting a "gap" in the ministry world, and by that I mean the shattered heads and hearts wandering the land like Christendom's own take on the Walking Dead. I pray this resurrects many, opens eyes for their families and communities, causing an increase in empathy among God's people.”
- Scott White
David, Former Pastor
"I felt lost after leaving the ministry. This podcast showed me a way forward."
Sarah, Ex-Missionary
"Life After Ministry Podcast was a lifeline during my transition. Now, I'm thriving in my new chapter!"
The Struggles of Transitioning
Stepping away from pastoral service can be a lonely journey filled with uncertainties. What will your new identity be? How do you make sense of the changes? The stakes are high - but you don't have to navigate this alone.
