Matt Davis

Matt Davis specializes in helping people and organizations through leadership challenges and ministry transitions. He's Wayne Shepherd's guest on this week's FIRST PERSON. (click for more...) Website: www.ministrytransitions.com In this episode of First Person, host Wayne Shepherd interviews Matt Davis, President and Chief Pastoral Officer of Ministry Transitions, an organization that helps churches, nonprofits, faith-based companies, and individuals navigate leadership changes. Matt speaks candidly about his own story — after spending decades as an executive and teaching pastor, he experienced a moral failure that ended his ministry career, causing significant pain to his family, colleagues, and congregation. Through years of counseling, restoration, and personal rebuilding, he co-founded Ministry Transitions with Bill Tom to fill a gap he experienced firsthand: the lack of structured support for ministry leaders in transition. The organization works with boards and individuals through three types of transitions — open, hidden, and blind — emphasizing dignity, grace, and honest communication throughout the process. Matt stresses that churches and organizations need to build a "culture of continuity" from day one, framing succession planning as a discipleship issue rather than a crisis response. He also hosts a podcast called Life After Ministry, which chronicles stories of people rebuilding their lives after vocational ministry ends, with the goal of reaching leaders before they hit rock bottom rather than after. Next week: Joe and Cindi Ferrini, The Special Needs Parent Send your support for FIRST PERSON to the Far East Broadcasting Company: FEBC National Processing Center Far East Broadcasting Company P.O. Box 6020 Albert Lea, MN 56007 Please mention FIRST PERSON when you give. Thank you!