Episodes

Hey friends we are back with a Justin and Sarah episode wherein we discuss the ups and downs of living with religious and societal expectations that simply aren't good for humans. We also talk about things that help us, how to balance hope and skepticism, and how that anxiety you are feeling is probably normal. Welcome to the REVcovery Room! If you would like to join a community of like minded people check out our Patreon: patreon.com/revcovery If you would like to see us live we will be at Theo...

Hey friends we have a bit of a different episode today; we are doing a crossover podcast with Blake Chastain of Exvangelical! In this episode we talk a bit about burnout in the ministry and in influencer culture as well as some ways we can deal with being chronically online. We hope you enjoy it and find it helpful in your REVcovery. Welcome once again to the REVcovery Room! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friends we are so very excited to welcome Bradely Onishi to the REVcovery Room! Bradley is a former pastor, the co-host of the "Straight White American Jesus" podcast and author of the upcoming book "Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism--and What Comes Next." What we enjoyed so much about this conversation is Bradley's strength of character and vulnerability in articulating his journey both into and out of ministry. When we reach a turning point in our lives it...

This week we interview Josiah Mahon host of the "Slow Train to Heck" podcast! Josiah faced a choice that many of us in REVcovery have had to face; do I tell the truth or do I stay silent? He chose the former and as many of us know the consequences were wide-ranging and unpredictable. Fortunately Josiah was able to find a path forward and for that we are very grateful because he is a truly delightful human being and his story is one that we are very exited to share. Welcome to the REVcovery Room!...

This week we are very excited to welcome Kevin Wright to the REVcovery Room. Like most of our guests Kevin is a former minister but in many ways he represents one of the best outcomes of the REVcovery journey. Leaving your "calling" isn't the last thing that will be said about you and Kevin helps us to see that a ministry career isn't a liability and can set you up to do the next thing in surprising ways. We are so glad we get to share his story with you today in the REVcovery Room! If you would...

This week we welcome to the REVcovery Room the Naked Pastor himself, David Hayward. If you have ever asked questions about your faith and been on the internet you have probably run into one of David's cartoons. They speak so well to the experience many of us find ourselves in. David was a pastor for a number of years and ultimately made the choice to lean into his questions and the creative pursuits that came out of them. We are so grateful that he did and The Naked Pastor is a wonderful testame...

We had the privilege of interviewing one of our favorite people, Anna Galloday, at Wild Goose and we can't wait to share her story with you. Anna was faced with some very difficult decisions and while they ultimately resulted in her leaving the ministry she as able to leave knowing she had fulfilled her roll as pastor to her people. If you have ever been stuck between what is the right thing to do and what is the expected thing to do this is an episode you don't want to miss. Welcome to the REVc...

Friends we are so delighted to introduce you to our friend Janice Lagata! Her career has included many things from managing the stage for Hillsong New York to writing uncredited jokes for her senior pastor's sermons. It was alot of work and none of it paid because...reasons. Janice speaks powerfully to the lure of charismatic leaders and movements, how people of color are often treated in these spaces, and what the process of waking up to yourself and getting out is like. Her story is a gift and...

Hey everybody we are back with some thoughts about our time at Wild Goose, how we are choosing our faith rather than having it handed to us, and the surprising ways we are finding that ministry (whatever that is) still matters to us. Justin and Sarah discuss this week the odd twists and turns their revcovery is taking them and how it is ok to still not know exactly where you are landing. Leaving ministry and coming to terms with who you are now is a process that requires a great deal of inner ev...

Friends we are back with Season 2 of the REVcovery Podcast! We are so excited for what the next season holds and this episode is the perfect kickoff. Our guest today is Brian Mclaren. In addition to being a former pastor Brian is the author of several books about new ways of practicing faith and his latest book "Do I Stay Christian?: A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned" is out now. Sarah and Justin interview him on what is it like to hold faith in our current contex...

Friends we are wrapping up the first season of REVcovery and it has been such a wonderful time. Don't worry we will be back in a few weeks for the start of season two and it's going to be fantastic. For this episode Sarah and Justin wanted to cover a few frequently asked questions about making peace with your past mistakes in ministry and some practices around finding and defining friendships. Its a great discussion and we can't wait to share it with you here in the REVcovery Room! If you would ...

Hey friends this week we are taking a bit of a break from the heavier side of career transitions and focusing on the practical aspects of how to rethink your resume. Ministry resumes and corporate resumes are not the same and it requires alot of creative thinking to present your relevant experience (which you have alot of by the way) in a manner that will be recognized by people that don't know what a discipleship program is. As a pastor you have what it takes to succeed in all kinds of jobs and...

This week we welcome Jenny Smith to the podcast and it is a truly beautiful and life-giving conversation. Burnout in ministry is a real thing and it takes courage to admit when you aren't able to go on anymore; even more to walk away into something new. That is something Jenny has done and we hope that her story is one that helps you learn how to accept, celebrate, and grieve each thing in its season. Thank you for your support and welcome to the REVcovery Room! If you would like to join a commu...

We talk alot about how challenging it is to leave ministry or experience a shift in our faith. It is difficult to navigate, for sure, but what we often don't get to talk about is what you gain when you step out into the unknown. This week Sarah and Justin talk a bit about what they have gained since stepping beyond the stained glass windows. We hope it is a conversation that inspires you to look up a bit from the challenges of leaving ministry to see the possibilities that lay beyond the horizon...

This week we are exited to welcome Kevin Sweeney to the REVcovery Room! Kevin is currently the lead pastor of Imagine Church in Hawaii but is in the process of closing that ministry down to choose the next thing ahead of him. We talk quite a bit in this episode about life and ministry but also how to let go well so that we can make space for what is to come. We think you will find Kevin's story to be a delight and if you want to hear more you can preorder his new book "The Making of a Mystic: My...

This week Sarah and Justin talk about the experience of transitioning your relationships from the often one sided pastor to parishioner to the more mutual friend to friend. Many relationships can't make the switch which can be incredibly painful but if we can approach each new season with curiosity and candor we can find new relationships wherever we might end up. So grab a seat friends and imagine a pleasant fireside as we chat about relationships this week in the REVcovery Room. If you would l...

Today in the REVcovery Room we are joined by Bailey Brawner, former paster, current Tik Tok creator and much more. Leaving ministry is challenging but Bailey brings a delightful authenticity to the transition that is both inspiring and refreshing. We are more than our titles, we are whole people, and it is our task to embody that the best way that we can even if that means leaving a position that once gave us meaning. We loved talking with her (on Easter no less) and are sure that you will too. ...

This week we are delighted to introduce to you Rev Ogun Holder, co-founder of project Sanctus as well as the host of Pub Theology Live, and co-host of With Love And Justice For All, a podcast about embodied antiracism. Ogun brings fantastic insight into the struggles of a pastor trying to move their community into a more expansive direction but constantly creating friction with the system that is the Christian brand in America. We loved talking with him and are sure that you will too. Welcome to...

When you are a minister Easter can be alot of things. It is supposed to be the highest point of the year but often times it ends up being great of others and nothing but draining for you. When you leave ministry, your faith, or both it becomes even more difficult to navigate the expectations and obligations that come with this holiday and we want to talk about it. Holidays don't need to be like this and wherever you find yourself this Easter we want to invite you into the REVcovery room to exper...

This week we are proud to welcome Phil Drysdale to the REVcovery room! If you have followed us on Instagram (and you should) you will know Phil's work already because he creates some of the best memes out there. Deconstruction can be a very difficult process but it is also absurd and full of opportunities to laugh at yourself and Phil is able to balance that so well. He brings a wealth of knowledge on the trends in ministry and deconstruction spaces and we are delighted to introduce you. Grab a ...

This week we welcome Michael Bischof, President of Soul Leader Resources. Michael comes to the show with a wealth of knowledge on the journey into and out of ministry and shares deeply about his struggles with depression, shifting friendships, and navigating religious trauma while trying to keep your life together. He is a delight to talk to and we are glad to introduce you to him this week in the REVcovery Room! This podcast is edited by Elizabeth Nordenholt from Podcat Audio: https://elizabeth...

This week we hear from the other Justin, Justin Halbersma! Justin is a former United Methodist minister and instead of getting kicked out or burnt out he just decided to walk out of the ministry. He has a great story of leaving well and learning about who you are along the way. We also cover the ins and outs of seminary life, the wild world of church polity, and some key signs that it is time to leave. Welcome friends to the REVcovery Room! This podcast is edited by Elizabeth Nordenholt from Pod...

This week Sarah and Justin have a chat about what their practice of spirituality looks like now that they aren't paid to be a professional Christian anymore. When your paycheck is tied to something as personal as your faith figuring out where your profession ends and you begin isn't an easy task . How do you even know who the real you is? Well the masks are coming off this week and we hope that you can join us in not going back to living as anything less than who you really are. Welcome to the R...

Rev. Rob Lee joins us this week on REVcovery! Rob shares his story with us about how he got into ministry, the struggles he went through early in his career, and the path he found to realizing ministry wasn't allowing him to prioritize the things that mattered most. It's a great story that we think many pastors will be able to recognize. Welcome to the REVcovery Room! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices