The Many Shapes of Resilience
Unfortunately there can be a negative stigma surrounding pastors leaving church ministry, though the extent and nature of this stigma can vary depending on the church culture, denomination, and community context. Historically, pastoral ministry has been seen as a sacred, lifelong calling, and stepping away from this role can sometimes be viewed with a sense of failure, shame, or spiritual inadequacy.
However, a pastor can absolutely remain faithful to their calling even after leaving traditional church ministry. The concept of calling, particularly in Christian theology, is often understood as a sense of divine vocation or purpose—something that transcends specific job roles or titles. A pastor's calling is not necessarily tied only to the position of "pastor" within a church building, but to the larger mission of serving God and others in various contexts.
As I write this, I am reminded of a recent conversation I had with a family member about the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Apparently, one of the signers was an active member of the clergy named John Witherspoon. And while the exact number is unknown, several other signers had also been pastors and ministers at one point in their lives, but they had all moved on to become teachers, lawyers, farmers, and merchants. In other words, while they had transitioned from formal church ministry, they continued to live out their faith and make a difference in their world. Today, many well-known pastors have made a similar decision including Chuck Swindoll, Rick Warren, Tony Campolo, Barbara Brown Taylor, Danielle Strickland, David Platt, and Skye Jethani to name just a few. The main thing is to keep listening to and following the voice of God, not just a career path or a social expectation.
Here are a few ways a pastor can remain resilient and faithful to their calling after stepping away from traditional church ministry:
1. Faithful Service in Other Contexts
A pastor’s calling to serve, teach, and lead doesn’t necessarily require them to stay in a church role. Many pastors transition into roles where they continue to serve in their community, such as through:
Nonprofit work: Pastors can apply their leadership and pastoral skills to organizations that serve the poor, marginalized, or other community needs.
Counseling or chaplaincy: Pastors often move into roles in hospitals, prisons, or military settings as chaplains, where they can provide spiritual care and guidance.
Education: Many pastors use their theological training to teach in Christian schools, seminaries, or community outreach programs, where they can continue to nurture faith and spiritual growth.
2. Living Out the Gospel in the Marketplace
Pastors can be faithful to their calling by embodying their Christian values and principles in the secular workplace. Many pastors leave full-time ministry to enter the business, education, healthcare, or other fields, where they can:
Serve as salt and light in a secular world, influencing others through their integrity, kindness, and moral witness.
Use their leadership and communication skills to foster a Christlike culture in their workplace.
Mentor and guide others, helping to build a strong moral and ethical foundation for their coworkers.
In this way, a pastor's calling to live out the Gospel can extend far beyond the walls of the church.
3. Ministry to Family and Friends
One of the most important—and often overlooked—ministries is that of family and personal relationships. Pastors may leave church ministry but still continue to serve and disciple their families, friends, and even former congregants in a more informal, relational capacity. This might involve:
Discipling their children and raising them with a strong Christian foundation.
Providing pastoral care to friends and family members who may need spiritual guidance or emotional support.
Building community with others, even if it's not through a formal church structure.
In many ways, these quieter, personal acts of ministry are just as significant as the roles pastors fill in public ministry.
4. Writing, Speaking, and Teaching
Many pastors who leave traditional ministry continue to write books, articles, blogs, or create podcasts that engage with deep theological issues or practical spiritual concerns. This allows them to continue to teach, encourage, and equip the broader church community, even if they are no longer leading a congregation.
Books and blogs: Writing can be a way to influence the Church and culture, especially if the pastor has a passion for a particular area of ministry, theology, or social justice.
Speaking engagements: Some pastors continue to speak at conferences, retreats, or workshops, providing encouragement, insight, and spiritual guidance.
5. Maintaining a Personal Spiritual Discipline
Faithfulness to a calling also means maintaining personal spiritual practices and disciplines—prayer, Scripture reading, worship, and reflection—that continue to nourish the pastor’s soul and deepen their relationship with God. Just because someone leaves full-time ministry doesn’t mean they abandon their personal commitment to Christ.
Continuing personal growth: A pastor may find that leaving traditional ministry gives them the opportunity to invest more deeply in their own spiritual formation.
Praying for the Church and others: Many pastors continue to be intercessors, praying for the Church, their community, and the needs of those around them, even if they are no longer formally leading a congregation.
6. Pursuing Rest and Healing
For some pastors, leaving traditional ministry may be a necessary step for physical, emotional, or spiritual renewal. Taking time away from active ministry to focus on personal healing or growth can be a way to reorient oneself toward a more sustainable form of faithfulness. During this time, a pastor can:
Seek counseling and support to heal from any past wounds or burnout.
Rediscover their calling by stepping back and allowing God to guide them into new opportunities for service.
Reconnect with God in a fresh way, without the demands of ministry clouding their personal relationship with Him.
In this sense, leaving church ministry may be part of a broader journey of restoration and future ministry opportunities.
7. Rediscovering Purpose and Vision
Leaving ministry can offer pastors the opportunity to step back from the daily pressures of leadership, creating space for personal reflection and spiritual renewal. This time away can help them rediscover their sense of purpose and gain clarity about their future calling, whether in a different form of ministry or a new vocational path.
Reigniting a sense of purpose: Often pastoral ministry serves as a discovery point from which one discovers and sharpens their ultimate passion for future contribution.
Clarifying vision and values by taking time away from normal activities can bring a sense of continuity between the past and the future.
Conclusion
In summary, no, there is not just one way for a pastor to be resilient and finish well. Resilience can take on a number of expressions as a pastor’s calling is not limited to a particular title or job description. It is ultimately about living out one's faith, serving others, and fulfilling the mission of the Gospel in whatever context God calls them to. Whether that is in church ministry, community service, global involvement, the workplace, or family life, a pastor can remain faithful to their calling even after leaving a formal pastoral role. The key is recognizing that ministry is a way of life, not just a job, and that faithfulness to God can be expressed in many different ways.