571: Pastor Past Makes You An Outcast | Feedback Friday
Oct 8, 2021
A former pastor shares his struggles after being ousted for seeking counseling, leaving him jobless and stigmatized. The hosts explore how to navigate the challenges of career transition from the clergy and address the stigma attached to a religious background. Listeners also hear about managing complex family dynamics, including setting boundaries with an overbearing mother and expressing suppressed emotions. Finally, the discussion touches on conflict resolution in business and the nuances of providing effective feedback in various career paths.
54:07
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Seeking Clarity and Closure
Request a meeting with the board and ask specific questions about their concerns.
Approach the conversation with humility, acknowledging you've been hurt but have forgiven them.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Legal Counsel and Moving Forward
Consult an employment attorney to explore legal options, especially if the board's actions seem unjust.
Avoid using this incident to create conflict within the congregation; focus on getting answers and moving on.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Transitioning from Ministry
Seek support from organizations specializing in helping pastors through career transitions.
Explore options like switching denominations, working in faith-based nonprofits, writing, or secular work.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
As an exemplary member of the clergy for 29 years, you'd think honesty to your superiors would be rewarded unconditionally. Alas, when you disclosed a need to seek counseling during a rough patch between you and your spouse (which resulted in a stronger relationship), you were unceremoniously booted from your position. Now you can't find work at another church because you've been unfairly branded a pariah among those of your faith, and you can't find a job among the secular because your clerical past seems to be a turn-off to potential employers. What can you do? We'll try to find an answer to this and more here on Feedback Friday!
And in case you didn't already know it, Jordan Harbinger (@JordanHarbinger) and Gabriel Mizrahi (@GabeMizrahi) banter and take your comments and questions for Feedback Friday right here every week! If you want us to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Feedback Friday episodes, drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com. Now let's dive in!
Honesty got you kicked out of the clergy, and the seculars seem turned off by your pastor past. Who will hire you now? [Thanks to Pastor Brad Mortensen for helping us with this one!]
Thanks to an accidental pocket dial after calling your parents to ask for a loan, you overheard exactly what your mother thinks of you -- and it wasn't favorable. Yet she's never hesitated to call you when she needs help. Is it unreasonable to cut toxic family members out of your life?
You're a fully booked hairstylist at your sister-in-law's salon, and feel it's time to branch out on your own after 20 years. But you'd be bringing along another fully booked stylist, which would ultimately hurt your sister-in-law's business. Is there a way to follow opportunity without leaving family in the lurch?
You love your job, but you find the constant interruptions that come with it challenging your ability to stay on task. What can you do to stay focused?
You run a junior developer meetup; most people come through, build technical and interpersonal confidence, and leave when they get jobs, but there are some people who have been coming back week after week for years. These folks are generally technically proficient, but lack in the social skills department. How can you proactively add social skills training without coming across as some kind of jerk?
Have any questions, comments, or stories you'd like to share with us? Drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com!
The Jordan Harbinger Show