Is there life after the pastorate?
Welcome to the Ex-Pastor's web page. This page is dedicated to the thousands of pastors who have left the institutional church and/or who are on their way out.
Note: If you are an ex pastor or a struggling pastor who resonates with the testimonies below, please write us at info AT housechurchresource DOT org. Plans are in the works to help you further, so we need to know to contact you. When you write, please tell us how you found out about our site.
What follows are testimonials from men who made a clean break from their clergy positions. None of these men left the Lord. Instead, they found Him in ways that went beyond what they had ever experienced as professional pastors.
If you are part of the professional pastorate, and you're struggling with the idea of leaving . . . or you have left . . . we encourage you to read their stories.
If you are having a hard time finding work outside of the religious system, you may find the "Ex-Pastor's Survival Guide" of particular help.
For more information, see Chapter 5 of Pagan Christianity (Frank Viola and George Barna, Tyndale, 2008). This chapter traces in detail the origins of the modern pastoral office. Not a few pastors have had a crisis of conscience after reading this chapter.
Feel free to write any of the ex-pastors on this site for more information. Their email addresses follow each of their testimonials. As one person said, "It's lonely at the top."
If you are an ex-pastor and you'd like to contribute your story, please submit it to info AT housechurchresource DOT org.
Sincerely in Christ,
Alan Levine, Milt Rodriguez, Frank Viola, Gary Welter, and Jon Zens
Why I Left the Pastorate by Gary Welter
Leaving "God's Work" to Discover Christ by Alan Levine
A More Gradual Journey Out of the Pastorate by Jon Zens
Kicked Out of the Nest by John White
De-toxed From Organized Religion by Jim Schoch
Losing My Old Identity to Find My Lord by Lance Ford
Candid Letters from Pastors Having a Crisis of Conscience: Part 1
Candid Letters from Pastors Having a Crisis of Conscience: Part 2
New Wine for a New Wine Skin by Terry Jarbo
An Ex-Pastors Survival Guide
A Job Possibility for Ex-Pastors
Post-Pastor Occupations
An Ex-Pastors Encouragement to Others
Confessions of an Ex-Clergy Member Part 1
Confessions of an Ex-Clergy Member Part 2
Confessions of an Ex-Clergy Member Part 3
Confessions of an Ex-Clergy Member Part 4
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