#108: Balancing Career and Calling

In this deeply honest episode of Pastors Unfiltered, Pastors Brandon Beals and Tony Mattar sit down with Sean King and Connor Takata to talk about the realities of bi-vocational ministry—the highs, the heartbreaks, and the holy tension between calling and career. Together, they explore: Why many pastors step away from full-time ministry, the emotional weight of transitioning to the secular workforce, what it means to be called—and how that calling evolves. How to balance work, family, finances, and faith why the church needs to rethink how we define ministry success from funny stories to raw reflection, this episode is for anyone in ministry, anyone called, and anyone wondering if they’re “doing enough” for God.00:00 – Intro banter: episode number confusion & salty podcast hosts02:40 – Meet Tim Cruickshank: former Navy SEAL and founder of Bonefrog Coffee05:30 – Tim’s military journey: SEAL teams, injuries, and retirement09:15 – Launching Bonefrog Coffee as a mission and business12:00 – Why entrepreneurship is spiritual warfare14:40 – The tension between faith and failure in business17:30 – Purpose-driven businesses and the story behind the Bonefrog name21:10 – Training in combat vs. life after the military25:15 – Leading with conviction: “We will not compromise”28:30 – The role of prayer and obedience in daily leadership31:00 – God’s guidance in business and what success really looks like34:00 – Raising kids to carry faith with integrity36:45 – Learning to listen to God’s voice as a man39:30 – Marriage, mission, and navigating hard seasons43:00 – Spiritual battles in entrepreneurial and political spheres46:00 – Tim’s view on America’s current spiritual condition48:20 – Tim’s hope for revival among men and fathers51:00 – What legacy looks like in war, family, and faith54:10 – Rapid fire: coffee origin, favorite SEAL memory, best advice57:00 – Final words from Tim & encouragement to listeners59:30 – Outro: how to support Bonefrog Coffee and closing remarks🔔 Subscribe and don’t miss a single unfiltered moment. 📲 Full episode available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube