What happens when a leader transitions not just into a new role - but into their calling?

In this episode, Matt Davis introduces Ron Henry, the newly appointed Chief Succession Officer at Ministry Transitions. Ron brings decades of experience in executive placement and career development, but his deeper calling?

Helping leaders find where God wants them next.

This isn’t just a career conversation - it’s a soul-level journey.

Ron shares raw stories of failure, fear, and faith, revealing what makes a transition succeed or fall apart.

Whether you're facing a career shift, retirement, or leading an organization through change, this episode is packed with wisdom you need now - not someday.

If you’ve ever asked, “What’s next for me?” - this conversation is your next step.

• From Music to Ministry: Ron’s career in music and executive search wasn’t random - it was preparation for ministry impact.
• The Power of NetWeaving: True connection isn’t just networking - it’s purposeful relationship building.
• Great Fit vs. Good Fit: Success isn’t just about skills. Cultural and spiritual alignment make all the difference.
• Why Transitions Fail: Fear, pride, and desperation can sabotage a move. Wisdom, patience, and community bring peace.
• Succession is Spiritual: Planning for what’s next isn’t just smart - it’s biblical stewardship.
• Community Over Ego: Millennials’ community-first mindset gives Ron hope for the church’s future.
• Finishing Strong: Leaders must not cling to identity in a title. True legacy comes from passing the torch well.

00:00 – Welcome + Big Announcement: Ron joins Ministry Transitions as Chief Succession Officer 01:05 – Ron’s Journey: From the music industry to executive search to ministry 02:38 – NetWeaving Defined: The art of connecting people with purpose 03:36 – What Makes a Great Fit?: Beyond resumes - finding calling and chemistry 05:25 – Why Transitions Fail: The danger of pride and panic hires 07:12 – Building vs. Self-Focus: Healthy transitions prioritize relationship 07:59 – Why Now?: Ron’s fourth quarter and finishing strong 09:28 – What CSO Really Means: The responsibility behind the title 10:52 – Where the Church Misses It: Lack of awareness and training in transitions 12:54 – Leaders Who Avoid Succession Planning: Fear, pride, and identity traps 14:19 – Joshua and Moses: Biblical blueprint for succession 15:40 – The Moment Ron Lives For: Seeing someone discover God’s purpose 17:40 – Why Millennials Give Him Hope: Community, transparency, and change 19:51 – Living Water: Why input must be matched with output 21:14 – Mentors + Influencers: The people who poured into Ron 24:38 – To the Board Members: What you're really accountable for 26:44 – How to Reach Ron: Email and conversations that start with coffee 28:00 – Final Words: Linking arms for Kingdom impact

If you’re in ministry and facing a career shift, don’t walk that road alone. Ministry Transitions exists to walk with you - through the letting go and into what’s next. Whether you're a pastor, a board member, or a nonprofit leader, now is the time to steward your transition well.

Visit ministrytransitions.com to access resources, connect with Ron, or schedule a confidential conversation today.

What do scuba diving, salary spreadsheets, and severance packages have in common? According to David Fletcher - everything.

In this episode, Matt sits down with the founder of xPastor and longtime executive pastor, David Fletcher, to talk about the messy, complicated, and deeply human work of leadership transitions in the church.

They unpack the real cost of bad transitions - not just in dollars, but in broken trust.

Dave shares stories from his 30+ years in ministry, including firing people he loved, navigating church politics without losing his soul, and why a generous severance might be the best culture-shaping tool a church has.

You'll also hear how he and his wife built a thriving marriage in the middle of ministry chaos, and why their daily Starbucks date is sacred.

It's honest. It's wise. It’s surprisingly funny. And it’s a masterclass for anyone leading people, especially in the church.

• The Business Brain + Pastor’s Heart: Every ministry decision is both relational and organizational. You need both instincts.
• Why Fit Matters More Than Failure: Most terminations aren’t about incompetence - they’re about misalignment.
• The $300,000 Mistake: Dave breaks down the actual financial cost of a poor staff transition.
• Tell the Truth Without Telling Everything: How to communicate firings to staff and congregation without gossip or spin.
• Marriage and Ministry: Why laughing, insider jokes, and iced tea matter more than most leadership books.
• Give It Away: Why Dave gives away nearly everything on XPastor.org - and what it’s doing for churches worldwide.

• 00:00 – Intro & How Greek (Yes, Greek) Led Dave into Ministry
• 02:30 – The Wild Ride from Kids Ministry to XP
• 04:45 – Why the Executive Pastor Role Is All-In
• 06:30 – Letting People Go with Dignity
• 08:15 – Calculating the Real Cost of Bad Transitions
• 12:45 – How to Communicate a Termination (Without Creating a Firestorm)
• 15:30 – What’s Changed in the Church (Spoiler: Everything)
• 18:00 – Should Every Pastor Be Bivocational Now?
• 22:00 – Health, Marriage, and the Art of Insider Jokes
• 26:00 – Behind the Madness of the XPastor Seminar
• 28:45 – Fair Salaries and Why They Matter
• 32:00 – The Goal: Fully Enjoy God

If you’re navigating a leadership transition or just want to do ministry with more clarity, courage, and peace - check out the free resources at ministrytransitions.com. And for coaching, salary tools, or to attend the next XPastor Seminar, visit xpastor.org. It’s the guide you wish you had years ago.

What if the scariest thing about leaving ministry wasn’t the loss of your job - but the loss of your identity?

In this episode, Matt sits down with Josh Taylor, former executive pastor turned chief marketing officer, who opens up about what it’s really like to step off the platform and into the unknown.

From twelve years of trusted leadership in a growing church to a surprising turn through a university layoff and a marketing agency for car washes, Josh’s story is full of quiet pivots, faithful risk-taking, and unexpected grace.

But this isn’t just about changing careers. It’s about the slow death of pride, learning to hear God's voice outside the church walls, and becoming the kind of husband, father, and friend you were always meant to be.

If you’ve ever wondered what ministry looks like when your title disappears - or felt a holy nudge toward “something more” - this conversation will meet you right where you are.

• Why identity is one of the hardest things to untangle when leaving ministry
• How Josh navigated an unexpected layoff - and why it turned into one of the best days of his life
• What it looks like to still live out ministry in a secular workplace
• How to listen well, talk honestly with your spouse, and step into an unknown future with trust
• The surprising truth about being a present dad (and why the phone isn’t the only distraction)

00:00 – Josh's journey into ministry and long tenure as executive pastor 04:30 – Lessons from staffing, transitions, and team dynamics 07:25 – When boredom, burnout, and frustration signal it’s time to go 12:00 – Why Josh and his wife stepped away from their home church after resigning 17:00 – A safe landing at a university… and an unexpected layoff 19:30 – The power of a spouse’s words during a pivotal moment 22:50 – From pastor to car wash CMO: how to make sense of an unexpected calling 28:00 – How Josh stays present as a father and what he wants his son to remember 31:00 – Advice for leaders who feel called to step out but don’t know where to start

If you’re wrestling with what’s next after ministry, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Visit MinistryTransitions.com to find practical support and a team who’s walked this road too.

And be sure to follow Josh Taylor on Instagram at @joshtaylor.guide for thoughtful reflections on leadership, fatherhood, and life after ministry.