LIFE AFTER

MINISTRY

STORIES OF WHAT NOW AND WHAT’S NEXT

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Leadership & Church Health Matt Davis Leadership & Church Health Matt Davis

Episode 87 - The Imperfect CEO (featuring Jim Brown)

Leadership transitions often expose something many leaders spend years trying to hide: the fear that they are not enough for the role they carry. 

Whether it is a pastor navigating succession, a nonprofit executive facing organizational change, or a CEO realizing old leadership methods no longer work, the pressure to appear confident and certain can quietly isolate leaders from the people they serve. 

In this conversation, Jim Brown shares why healthy leadership begins when leaders stop trying to be the hero of the organization and start building collaborative cultures where people feel valued, empowered, and trusted.

Together, we explore the emotional realities underneath leadership transitions, difficult staffing decisions, and organizational change. 

They discuss why so many leaders stay too long, how fear often disguises itself as faithfulness, and why humility and vulnerability are becoming essential leadership qualities in today’s world. 

The conversation offers practical wisdom for ministry leaders who want to navigate transition seasons with greater clarity, courage, and care.

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A peaceful landscape with a church, mountains, and a person walking on a dirt road at sunset. Overlaid text reads, "Life After Ministry: Stories of What Now and What's Next."

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!"

A weathered wooden bridge extending into a wooded area at sunset with leafless trees and a forest background.

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.