Friend!! I resonated with every single one. Of course, I’m not a pastor but I am called to missions/ministry in the midst of my everyday life as a homeschool mom. Our family is called to a life outside of the “system.” So pray for us, that our family would find those few who will pray with us when we forget how to, to find others to do life with on this wilderness road. Thank you so much for writing this. Incredibly encouraging.
So glad that this touched your heart. I was almost nervous to post this because I didn't want people to take it the wrong way. I am learning to be more confident in what I share on here, trusting that it will find the right people. My wife and I are actually setting out on the homeschooling journey ourselves pretty soon. Personally, I grew up going to a wonderful private Christian school, and I've also seen some great kids come out of the public school system. But for our particular family, we feel strongly like homeschooling will be the right fit. I'm hoping that as time goes on, maybe I can teach some Bible and philosophy classes for my son haha, but I'm very grateful that my wife is going to be making this one of her main missions. It's a very high calling.
I like how you point out that being a tentmaker isn't second class. I wish I could get more of my students to realize that fact. Many churches need bivocational pastors. The Church needs tentmaker individuals. It all works together for the kingdom!
Thanks man. Yeah I didn’t even realize the ways I was not valuing part-time tentmaking ministers as much as I should have back when I was full time. If I I could go back in time knowing what I know now…
This post moved me to tears; I will be sending it to my husband as soon as I finish typing this comment. We are in the trenches with you, toiling along as called on a road that doesn't have benefits, leaves us financially vulnerable, and has brought us deeper into faith than we could have imagined. It's been two decades of this work. We've raised four children to adulthood and have six still at home, and there are certainly days when I sigh deeply and ask the Lord why His will for us doesn't include all the things that a staff pastor's family might enjoy. And yet, I know we are in total obedience. Even as my husband labors unseen, even as we look to God for provision, even as we step into the places that don't seem to fit the rubrics put forth by the modern idea of "ministry"... He is here. And therefore, so shall we be.
Now I'm the one getting misty-eyed over here. Thank you for sharing your journey as well. It's very encouraging to see how many people are resonating with this!
This really resonates with me. I’m not a pastor or anything, just a mom. But holy smokes. I appreciate this so much and I’m sure I’ll be returning to this post. Thank you.
My wife and I would both agree, there's no such thing as "just" a mom! All Christian parents are shepherds in the home. You're doing spiritual formation, theology, and discipleship of little souls 24/7! An incredible ministry role!
Wow! what a great article. thank you for writing that and showing its ok to be vulnerable. My life is in transition and this is a great read to know that God is with me and this is part of his plan. Keep up the good work for our crowns are in heaven. Det 31:6
Thank you for this. I’m a writer and have felt these things. For all the time I have spent I have a small readership. My platform is not big enough for a publisher and even self publishing doesn’t seem cost effective. But I still feel the call to offer what I have to my “country church” though 300 reads is not that small…Substack has been a gift in many ways.
Thank you for your good heart you put into these posts.
Of course, Katie. I'm so glad it resonates with you. I'm very much in the same boat as you right now. It seems like people on here are interested in what I have to say right now, but I know that that's may not last. The algorithm could change, my margin could change. Things could literally change overnight. I've had to learn not to put my self-worth into the outcome, but rest in knowing who I am and what I've been called to do. And then just continuously walking open-handed saying Jesus, where do you want me to use this gift that you've given me? Who do you want me to share it with? It helps me to remember that it's not my job to save the world. God is already doing the saving, and He is just calling each of us to play a role in what He is doing. He is the Carpenter, we are just the hammer and the nails in His hands.
It’s easy to forget it’s not our job to save the world. True on Substack changing…It feels saturated right now. Godspeed with your work. I hope the Lord eases up on you, maybe puts you back on staff or in a church.
We will see what he does. For now I’m content with Substack and my small discipleship school I run. I love my students. They are growing in the way of Jesus. :)
I served Christ most of my life without a Clergy-type title or underwriting. We had a house church operating as much as the early church did. Many came and many were reborn out of sex, drugs, and rock music. I was an asset dean at a big university with numerous opportunities to serve God.
The word was spread about how God was moving powerfully, and I was called to do discipleship at a big church. The Holy Spirit was also there, so meeting face to face with groups was powerful and life-changing.
I retired and established a Counseling Clinic. One of my Clergy friends asked, "Do you still believe in Jesus since leaving the church?"
I did not leave the fellowship of the saints; I left a nice salary!
Wow, first, THANK you for your years of dedicated service to the Kingdom!
2nd... It's insane to me that your clergy friend asked you that... the same way my own friend asked me "when are you gonna start doing real ministry again?"
It just shows how poisoned the well of thought is - we equate following Jesus / serving the Kingdom with clergy work alone... which is a BIG problem, because only like 2% of Christians are clergy! What are we discipling them into if we leaders believe the only true way to follow Jesus or do ministry is to be on staff?
Aaron, the lack of understanding the biblical approach to ministry is amazing the early church had no such ideas like we are presenting now. No clergy laity split. All had gifts
I identify with this so much in my current season of life. But, since stepping out of pastoral ministry Jesus has taught me what it means to truly follow Him and that’s worth the loss of a “title” and the comfort of a position.
Thanks for sharing your journey! Having someone who understands what I’m going through is very comforting!
Thanks for sharing brother. Don't get me wrong, I love and appreciate the office of the local church pastor. I love all the current pastors at the church I attend.
But I am learning Jesus needed to break me of the feeling that the only way I could live into my calling was through that office.
He gave me a season of re-learning what it meant to be a Christian outside of church staff. I spent my 20s on staff. My 30s have been re-learning how to walk so I could run in obedience.
Yep I totally understand and agree. Church ministry is obviously valuable. I just know that my journey, at least right now, is different. it’s important that we recognize when and if God might be calling us in a different direction than normal church ministry and be obedient in that.
Aaron what part of Oklahoma are you in? I'm in Oklahoma as well. Born and raised. I would love to hear your challenges and successes here in Oklahoma with what you are doing. How has the response been from people here in OK?
Hey Morgan! Really appreciate you asking. I’m in Yukon, just west of OKC.
I moved here from California where I was super plugged into the Calvary Chapel world—about 1,000 churches in that network globally, and a ton of them clustered where I lived because Calvary was founded in Southern CA.
So ministry life was very collaborative, lots of friends and partners and shared vision. I spoke regularly at camps and youth conferences, and was often invited to come travel to other churches and teach.
When I got to Oklahoma, it was like… that whole web just vanished. Calvary presence here is super minimal, and I quickly realized I had to attend churches outside my “tribe,” which was stretching, but honestly good for me to get out my comfort zone and learn how to just be a simple member of a local church rather than a staff guy, while still pursuing ministry efforts via GoodLion.
Another challenge has been the vibe around evangelism. In Cali, I’d post up in coffee shops and end up in gospel convos all the time. Or I’d take students down to the beach to talk to seekers—New Age types, spiritual-but-not-Christian folks who were actually open to dialogue.
Out here, everyone already has a church… or at least a potluck. 😂 So gospel convos hit walls real fast, everyone identifies as a "cultural Christian". I’ve had to shift into more discipleship and formation with young believers.... more tilling the soil, helping them grow in their depth.
And if I’m honest, being a Californian transplant comes with its own baggage. Some churches out here assume I’m some hyper-progressive outsider, even though I’m actually theologically conservative. OK types tend to be suspicious of CA guys... especially Baptists.
I’ve offered to teach workshops and content that flows out of my years of experience and Seminary studies... stuff on evangelism, youth ministry, navigating doubt, or the Kingdom of God—but it’s usually met with polite indifference or outright suspicion.
It’s been humbling. But I’m learning how to keep showing up, even when there’s no clear tribe to belong to.
I love my little band of students that faithfully attend my theology and discipleship classes, and am thankful for a handful of local churches that support what I am doing.
Oh man I feel deeply the your experiences. I am born and raised Oklahoman! But I understand the tension of being an outcast here. As a female who has a seminary degree and a passion for Biblical context and wanting people to understand their Bibles better and deeper, I am also met with indifference or, not even suspicion, just pure casting out or aside. Oklahoma is a very stuck in ways and traditions and not a lot of humility or child like wonder to learn something new. Many 30 and younger have or are deconstructing in Oklahoma because they see a disconnect from their parents and grandparents who have attended church their entire lives but don't actually live it out. There are many who are also still believers but have left the church and have no where to go because they are tired of being fed lies or half truths. Its an interesting place to live as a believer. Keep up your work with your students and keep trying. The ones who need it will show up and it will be a beautiful band of "outcasts" for the the Kingdom. Thats a bit of what we've created here in the Tulsa area. Its funny, my husband and I actually long and hope for a move to California in our future. My father was born in CA and my husband lived out there for 6+ years. We've been a handful of times and always enjoyed the west coast. Also, understanding deeply your words of no clear tribe to belong to. Its very isolating and lonely at times not having a tribe outside of your spouse. Thats just plain hard and our biggest struggle right now. Praying for you, for your outreach, and that your tribe comes soon!
Also, If you guys would ever have use for someone like me ministering to any young people involved in your ministry in Tulsa, I’m always down to drive down there. Love Tulsa. I was doing a cohort in Tulsa via Western Seminary for a bit. Great town.
My husband graduated from Western Seminary back in December! Was that the cohort Gerry Breshears would come to Tulsa for? We will certainly keep that in mind! We have all adults right now. 30-65 years old. A pretty small group in our house church of other outcast that have had struggles with big church. Tulsa is awesome!
Also, size of a group does not really matter much to me. I have traveled to speak for groups of 500 and for groups of 10. It's more about just finding the right opportunities to share the things that God has put on my heart!
Yes it was under Gerry! Love that man. ❤️ I'll tell you what, I don't just do ministry with youth. I have things aimed at older people as well. I have a whole workshop that I put together that is helping friends and family members navigate through doubt and deconstruction. I taught it at a church in California in February, and they loved it. A ton of grandparents came because they wanted to learn how to support their kids and grandkids and point them to Jesus as they wrestled through their doubts and deconstruction.
If you guys would have any interest in that at some point, maybe later on this year, after my daughter is born, let me know. If not, no worries, but for me, I am open to doing this kind of stuff at no charge. All I would ask is just for a place to stay. I am not a big name speaker or anything, but I do feel like I have a lot to offer, and I'm just looking for the right people to share it with.
I love what you are doing!! We will certainly keep you in mind and if you are ever in the Tulsa area let us know! We’d love to grab a cup of coffee. Congrats on your daughter by the way. Praying for safe delivery and some construct of sleep for you and your wife when the moment arrives! Our daughter, now 7, still doesn’t allow us much sleep haha.
Love all this and resonate a ton. Thank you for sharing, Morgan! Let’s stay friends on here. I’m praying God opens up doors for you to use your heart, calling, and education in valuable ways!
Friend, thank you for this. I think I’m a few years behind you in this journey but several months ago after years of being very visible and appreciated in the church as well as paid very well. . . God called me to leave. My wife and I have now spent half a year in deep obscurity but building good things. I feel like I’ve learned more about God and myself in this last half a year than I did the entirety of my career before. And like you, I was always all in and loved Jesus, my ministry, and the people I worked with. I don’t know what God has next but I’m willing to walk in it now and actually look forward to the small encouragements He gives me along the way. Again, thank you for this, it’s a huge encouragement to me.
Bro, I'm so happy that what I wrote has been resonating with people, including you! Please hit me up anytime you need someone to talk to you about this stuff... It's been quite a journey, but God has been teaching me so much and I'm happy to share what I've been learning!
I appreciate that as I will probably need it haha. I have connected with a lot of your notes and hadn’t read any pieces of yours yet but the title here stuck out to me. Glad I read it as it really did encourage me. Look forward to reading more!
Friend!! I resonated with every single one. Of course, I’m not a pastor but I am called to missions/ministry in the midst of my everyday life as a homeschool mom. Our family is called to a life outside of the “system.” So pray for us, that our family would find those few who will pray with us when we forget how to, to find others to do life with on this wilderness road. Thank you so much for writing this. Incredibly encouraging.
So glad that this touched your heart. I was almost nervous to post this because I didn't want people to take it the wrong way. I am learning to be more confident in what I share on here, trusting that it will find the right people. My wife and I are actually setting out on the homeschooling journey ourselves pretty soon. Personally, I grew up going to a wonderful private Christian school, and I've also seen some great kids come out of the public school system. But for our particular family, we feel strongly like homeschooling will be the right fit. I'm hoping that as time goes on, maybe I can teach some Bible and philosophy classes for my son haha, but I'm very grateful that my wife is going to be making this one of her main missions. It's a very high calling.
It is a very high calling, and one of the ways as women we die daily.
I mean that with all sincerity. It is one of the ways God chooses for us as women to lean more fully into His strength and capabilities.
I’ll be praying for your wife! Finding a homeschool co-op is also really helpful. We need support as moms.
On a side note: people will take you wrong. But that’s okay. Jesus was misunderstood too.
I like how you point out that being a tentmaker isn't second class. I wish I could get more of my students to realize that fact. Many churches need bivocational pastors. The Church needs tentmaker individuals. It all works together for the kingdom!
A lot of time students pursuing ministry (Bible college, seminary, etc) have a very myopic and romanticized view of what ministry actually is.
Oh I certainly did too. And my view then certainly doesn't match my reality now, or my view now.
Thanks man. Yeah I didn’t even realize the ways I was not valuing part-time tentmaking ministers as much as I should have back when I was full time. If I I could go back in time knowing what I know now…
This post moved me to tears; I will be sending it to my husband as soon as I finish typing this comment. We are in the trenches with you, toiling along as called on a road that doesn't have benefits, leaves us financially vulnerable, and has brought us deeper into faith than we could have imagined. It's been two decades of this work. We've raised four children to adulthood and have six still at home, and there are certainly days when I sigh deeply and ask the Lord why His will for us doesn't include all the things that a staff pastor's family might enjoy. And yet, I know we are in total obedience. Even as my husband labors unseen, even as we look to God for provision, even as we step into the places that don't seem to fit the rubrics put forth by the modern idea of "ministry"... He is here. And therefore, so shall we be.
Now I'm the one getting misty-eyed over here. Thank you for sharing your journey as well. It's very encouraging to see how many people are resonating with this!
Amen brother
Ok, so now you've called me out twice in one day - I think we're going to be friends 😉
This made me feel seen thank you
This really resonates with me. I’m not a pastor or anything, just a mom. But holy smokes. I appreciate this so much and I’m sure I’ll be returning to this post. Thank you.
My wife and I would both agree, there's no such thing as "just" a mom! All Christian parents are shepherds in the home. You're doing spiritual formation, theology, and discipleship of little souls 24/7! An incredible ministry role!
Wow! what a great article. thank you for writing that and showing its ok to be vulnerable. My life is in transition and this is a great read to know that God is with me and this is part of his plan. Keep up the good work for our crowns are in heaven. Det 31:6
Thank you for this. I’m a writer and have felt these things. For all the time I have spent I have a small readership. My platform is not big enough for a publisher and even self publishing doesn’t seem cost effective. But I still feel the call to offer what I have to my “country church” though 300 reads is not that small…Substack has been a gift in many ways.
Thank you for your good heart you put into these posts.
Of course, Katie. I'm so glad it resonates with you. I'm very much in the same boat as you right now. It seems like people on here are interested in what I have to say right now, but I know that that's may not last. The algorithm could change, my margin could change. Things could literally change overnight. I've had to learn not to put my self-worth into the outcome, but rest in knowing who I am and what I've been called to do. And then just continuously walking open-handed saying Jesus, where do you want me to use this gift that you've given me? Who do you want me to share it with? It helps me to remember that it's not my job to save the world. God is already doing the saving, and He is just calling each of us to play a role in what He is doing. He is the Carpenter, we are just the hammer and the nails in His hands.
It’s easy to forget it’s not our job to save the world. True on Substack changing…It feels saturated right now. Godspeed with your work. I hope the Lord eases up on you, maybe puts you back on staff or in a church.
We will see what he does. For now I’m content with Substack and my small discipleship school I run. I love my students. They are growing in the way of Jesus. :)
That sounds very rewarding.
I served Christ most of my life without a Clergy-type title or underwriting. We had a house church operating as much as the early church did. Many came and many were reborn out of sex, drugs, and rock music. I was an asset dean at a big university with numerous opportunities to serve God.
The word was spread about how God was moving powerfully, and I was called to do discipleship at a big church. The Holy Spirit was also there, so meeting face to face with groups was powerful and life-changing.
I retired and established a Counseling Clinic. One of my Clergy friends asked, "Do you still believe in Jesus since leaving the church?"
I did not leave the fellowship of the saints; I left a nice salary!
Wow, first, THANK you for your years of dedicated service to the Kingdom!
2nd... It's insane to me that your clergy friend asked you that... the same way my own friend asked me "when are you gonna start doing real ministry again?"
It just shows how poisoned the well of thought is - we equate following Jesus / serving the Kingdom with clergy work alone... which is a BIG problem, because only like 2% of Christians are clergy! What are we discipling them into if we leaders believe the only true way to follow Jesus or do ministry is to be on staff?
Aaron, the lack of understanding the biblical approach to ministry is amazing the early church had no such ideas like we are presenting now. No clergy laity split. All had gifts
Yes. In my school of discipleship, I am currently trying to empower some of my young people to use their gifting. Please pray the Spirit leads us!
Praise God and allow the Holy Spirit to do it. My Discipeship training is global. Yours can be as well.
I identify with this so much in my current season of life. But, since stepping out of pastoral ministry Jesus has taught me what it means to truly follow Him and that’s worth the loss of a “title” and the comfort of a position.
Thanks for sharing your journey! Having someone who understands what I’m going through is very comforting!
Thanks for sharing brother. Don't get me wrong, I love and appreciate the office of the local church pastor. I love all the current pastors at the church I attend.
But I am learning Jesus needed to break me of the feeling that the only way I could live into my calling was through that office.
He gave me a season of re-learning what it meant to be a Christian outside of church staff. I spent my 20s on staff. My 30s have been re-learning how to walk so I could run in obedience.
Sounds like we are on a similar path!
Yep I totally understand and agree. Church ministry is obviously valuable. I just know that my journey, at least right now, is different. it’s important that we recognize when and if God might be calling us in a different direction than normal church ministry and be obedient in that.
Good stuff, Aaron! Your labor is not in vain.
Aaron what part of Oklahoma are you in? I'm in Oklahoma as well. Born and raised. I would love to hear your challenges and successes here in Oklahoma with what you are doing. How has the response been from people here in OK?
Hey Morgan! Really appreciate you asking. I’m in Yukon, just west of OKC.
I moved here from California where I was super plugged into the Calvary Chapel world—about 1,000 churches in that network globally, and a ton of them clustered where I lived because Calvary was founded in Southern CA.
So ministry life was very collaborative, lots of friends and partners and shared vision. I spoke regularly at camps and youth conferences, and was often invited to come travel to other churches and teach.
When I got to Oklahoma, it was like… that whole web just vanished. Calvary presence here is super minimal, and I quickly realized I had to attend churches outside my “tribe,” which was stretching, but honestly good for me to get out my comfort zone and learn how to just be a simple member of a local church rather than a staff guy, while still pursuing ministry efforts via GoodLion.
Another challenge has been the vibe around evangelism. In Cali, I’d post up in coffee shops and end up in gospel convos all the time. Or I’d take students down to the beach to talk to seekers—New Age types, spiritual-but-not-Christian folks who were actually open to dialogue.
Out here, everyone already has a church… or at least a potluck. 😂 So gospel convos hit walls real fast, everyone identifies as a "cultural Christian". I’ve had to shift into more discipleship and formation with young believers.... more tilling the soil, helping them grow in their depth.
And if I’m honest, being a Californian transplant comes with its own baggage. Some churches out here assume I’m some hyper-progressive outsider, even though I’m actually theologically conservative. OK types tend to be suspicious of CA guys... especially Baptists.
I’ve offered to teach workshops and content that flows out of my years of experience and Seminary studies... stuff on evangelism, youth ministry, navigating doubt, or the Kingdom of God—but it’s usually met with polite indifference or outright suspicion.
It’s been humbling. But I’m learning how to keep showing up, even when there’s no clear tribe to belong to.
I love my little band of students that faithfully attend my theology and discipleship classes, and am thankful for a handful of local churches that support what I am doing.
Oh man I feel deeply the your experiences. I am born and raised Oklahoman! But I understand the tension of being an outcast here. As a female who has a seminary degree and a passion for Biblical context and wanting people to understand their Bibles better and deeper, I am also met with indifference or, not even suspicion, just pure casting out or aside. Oklahoma is a very stuck in ways and traditions and not a lot of humility or child like wonder to learn something new. Many 30 and younger have or are deconstructing in Oklahoma because they see a disconnect from their parents and grandparents who have attended church their entire lives but don't actually live it out. There are many who are also still believers but have left the church and have no where to go because they are tired of being fed lies or half truths. Its an interesting place to live as a believer. Keep up your work with your students and keep trying. The ones who need it will show up and it will be a beautiful band of "outcasts" for the the Kingdom. Thats a bit of what we've created here in the Tulsa area. Its funny, my husband and I actually long and hope for a move to California in our future. My father was born in CA and my husband lived out there for 6+ years. We've been a handful of times and always enjoyed the west coast. Also, understanding deeply your words of no clear tribe to belong to. Its very isolating and lonely at times not having a tribe outside of your spouse. Thats just plain hard and our biggest struggle right now. Praying for you, for your outreach, and that your tribe comes soon!
Also, If you guys would ever have use for someone like me ministering to any young people involved in your ministry in Tulsa, I’m always down to drive down there. Love Tulsa. I was doing a cohort in Tulsa via Western Seminary for a bit. Great town.
My husband graduated from Western Seminary back in December! Was that the cohort Gerry Breshears would come to Tulsa for? We will certainly keep that in mind! We have all adults right now. 30-65 years old. A pretty small group in our house church of other outcast that have had struggles with big church. Tulsa is awesome!
Also, size of a group does not really matter much to me. I have traveled to speak for groups of 500 and for groups of 10. It's more about just finding the right opportunities to share the things that God has put on my heart!
Yes it was under Gerry! Love that man. ❤️ I'll tell you what, I don't just do ministry with youth. I have things aimed at older people as well. I have a whole workshop that I put together that is helping friends and family members navigate through doubt and deconstruction. I taught it at a church in California in February, and they loved it. A ton of grandparents came because they wanted to learn how to support their kids and grandkids and point them to Jesus as they wrestled through their doubts and deconstruction.
If you guys would have any interest in that at some point, maybe later on this year, after my daughter is born, let me know. If not, no worries, but for me, I am open to doing this kind of stuff at no charge. All I would ask is just for a place to stay. I am not a big name speaker or anything, but I do feel like I have a lot to offer, and I'm just looking for the right people to share it with.
I love what you are doing!! We will certainly keep you in mind and if you are ever in the Tulsa area let us know! We’d love to grab a cup of coffee. Congrats on your daughter by the way. Praying for safe delivery and some construct of sleep for you and your wife when the moment arrives! Our daughter, now 7, still doesn’t allow us much sleep haha.
Love all this and resonate a ton. Thank you for sharing, Morgan! Let’s stay friends on here. I’m praying God opens up doors for you to use your heart, calling, and education in valuable ways!
Friend, thank you for this. I think I’m a few years behind you in this journey but several months ago after years of being very visible and appreciated in the church as well as paid very well. . . God called me to leave. My wife and I have now spent half a year in deep obscurity but building good things. I feel like I’ve learned more about God and myself in this last half a year than I did the entirety of my career before. And like you, I was always all in and loved Jesus, my ministry, and the people I worked with. I don’t know what God has next but I’m willing to walk in it now and actually look forward to the small encouragements He gives me along the way. Again, thank you for this, it’s a huge encouragement to me.
Bro, I'm so happy that what I wrote has been resonating with people, including you! Please hit me up anytime you need someone to talk to you about this stuff... It's been quite a journey, but God has been teaching me so much and I'm happy to share what I've been learning!
I appreciate that as I will probably need it haha. I have connected with a lot of your notes and hadn’t read any pieces of yours yet but the title here stuck out to me. Glad I read it as it really did encourage me. Look forward to reading more!