Life After Ministry

PODCAST

Turning transition into transformation.

Reclaim Your Identity

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Redefine
Your Assignment

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Rediscover Your
Calling

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Listen to the Life After Ministry podcast on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Matt Davis Matt Davis

Episode 38: Prioritizing Mental and Emotional Well-being in Ministry (featuring John Opalewski)

Imagine achieving what seems like ministry success on the outside - leading a growing church, serving a vibrant congregation - while internally battling crippling anxiety, sleepless nights, and the haunting thought of leaving it all behind.

In this episode of Life After Ministry, Matt Davis sits down with John Opalewski of Converge Coaching to explore how ministry leaders can hit their breaking point despite outward success.

John shares his personal journey of going from thriving youth pastor to suicidal depression as a senior pastor, and the hard-won lessons about self-care, boundaries, and the crucial role of mental health in ministry. Together, they tackle the question: how can pastors prevent burnout and find lasting fulfillment in both ministry and life?

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Cover image for the podcast titled 'Life After Ministry' with subtitle 'Turning Transition into Transformation.' The background features a landscape with a grassy field, distant mountains, partly cloudy sky, and a church building with a cross on top on the left side. The lower right corner displays the podcast logo.

Facing Life After Ministry can feel hopeless, but it doesn’t have to be.

Whether you've stepped away from the pulpit 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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LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW

“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!"

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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.

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