Don’t walk this season alone.

Many ministry leaders today find themselves navigating significant changes. Unfortunately, these transitions often come with a heavy burden - financial challenges, vocational disorientation, marital strife, and a sense of isolation within the community.

We typically characterize these various changes in our lives as "seasons." This Field Journal helps leaders in transition orient to a new landscape: the wilderness.

A desert landscape at sunset with sand dunes and distant mountains, featuring the text 'A Field Journal: Orienting to the Wilderness' and the logo and name of 'Ministry Transitions'.

What are the challenges facing outgoing ministry leaders and their families?

  • Illustration of a head with a storm cloud in front

    Trauma

    A wide range of emotional, spiritual, and relational trauma is experienced by the leader and family members.

  • An illustration of a man upset sitting on a bench with his head down.

    Loneliness

    Leaders and their family lose relational and spiritual support from members of their community.

  • line drawing of a man with a frown holding a sign that says "job"

    Finding a new job

    The average ministry leader takes a year before finding a new job, and they frequently switch fields.

  • An illustration of a person with three bubbles above. One with a house, a dollar and a medical sign.

    Unemployment benefits

    Ministry leaders are not usually eligible for unemployment benefits, and many church leaders do not know this.

  • coin with three arrows pointing down around it

    Financial devastation

    Transitioning out of ministry causes financial hardship for pastors and leaders, resulting in housing relocation.

  • Post with two arrows on it pointing in different directions and a question mark above

    Spiritual deconstruction

    Coming out of church or parachurch ministry, leaders experience spiritual deconstruction, and their future ministry suffers.

Person walking upstairs outside on wooden stairs, wearing sneakers and casual clothing, with sunlight shining at the top of the stairs.