From Pulpit to Office: My Journey from Ministry to Secular Consulting
This post is more personal and longer than my usual content, but my background as a pastor frequently comes up in conversations. People often ask about my transition from being a pastor to a consultant working mostly in the secular sphere. So, I thought it would be a good opportunity to share more about my journey.
The Backstory
My work in pastoral ministry was closely tied to my Ph.D. studies at Vanderbilt. Initially, I planned to be an academic theologian, working at the intersection of philosophy and theology. However, I found myself in a newly-restructured program in practical theology—specifically, Homiletics and Liturgics. This program focused on using oral communication to shape organizational culture—skills that are incredibly practical and transferable to many fields.
After completing my coursework and moving to Savannah, Georgia, I served as an Associate Pastor while writing my dissertation. Over the next fourteen years, I worked as a pastor in the United Methodist Church, many of those years as a lead pastor. This role is best described as ‘being a CEO who has to give a 20-minute keynote every week.’ It involved leadership, strategy, administration, and caring for people, all while being the main communicator for the organization. I served in diverse communities, from a downtown church in Savannah to rural congregations in South Georgia, and even in change & crisis management roles in the Baltimore and Annapolis areas during the COVID pandemic before serving an intentionally diverse congregation in the DC area as we worked to redefine strategy and work patterns post-COVID.
Preaching Easter Sunday, 2022. Yes, there’s a plexiglass shield in front of me as part of COVID precautions!
Time to Make a Change
Eventually, it became clear that it was time for a change. Family needs played a significant role, as our children needed stability and we wanted to be closer to our parents in Georgia. Additionally, I felt professionally restless. While pastoral ministry can take many forms—preacher, teacher, shepherd, caregiver—I always saw myself as a communicator shaping culture through communication. So, my family and I moved to the metro Atlanta area, and I transitioned to the secular sphere, seeking “honorable location” status in the UMC and a path to turn my passion into my full-time vocation.
The Things We Carry With Us
In pastoral ministry, the defining line in the job description is “other duties as needed.” This taught me a wide array of skills—some through training, others through trial and error.
Crafting Engaging Presentations: I learned to create compelling presentations efficiently. Sunday rolls around every 7 days, whether you have 20 hours that week to devote to a sermon or not. This taught me to streamline my process without sacrificing quality.
Branding and Positioning: Understanding the importance of differentiating oneself and an organization while creating a unique brand identity was crucial, even in the seemingly similar world of South Georgia churches.
Conflict Management: I learned the value of having a neutral party facilitate difficult conversations, both through personal experience and by helping others.
Change Management: Driving new agendas in a tradition-bound institution taught me invaluable lessons in managing change.
These skills are just as relevant in the secular world, albeit with different language and frameworks.
Bumps in the Road
The transition hasn’t been without challenges. Two main questions arise frequently in conversations: concerns about proselytizing and uncertainty about the ‘pastor’ title.
First, I enjoy working in the secular sphere and have no intention of bringing personal faith into the workplace beyond the values that shape my approach to life. These values—diversity, justice, equity, and hope—are universal and do not need religious language.
Second, being a pastor has prepared me well for secular work. Job titles do not always convey the full reality of one’s experience. My work in personal branding stems from my own “rebranding” journey after ministry as I seek to help others define (and redefine) themselves professionally. The skills and insights I bring are deeply relevant and valuable in the corporate world.
A Whole Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts
Many people work in communications, but few can match the depth of leadership experience I’ve gained from doing the job in the midst of pastoral leadership and care. My work in executive and interpersonal communication, especially in pastoral settings, has given me unique insights into what works at the intersection of leadership and communication. Helping couples navigate sensitive discussions in premarital counseling and crafting sermons that inspire community action have provided me with unparalleled experience.
If you’re interested in leveraging my background to improve your communication skills, drop me a line.
I offer coaching, facilitation, and various communications services to help you and your team become better communicators and achieve your goals.
