“They Just Told Me I Have to Quit” Bob Gardner on Leaving Ministry

In this episode, I sit down with Bob Gardner—a former pastor who’s walked through deep disruption, vocational loss, and the exciting work of reimagining what’s next.Bob shares what it was like to be let go from a church job just before Christmas—without warning and over a theological issue he didn’t see coming. It left him disoriented and heartbroken. But it also sparked an honest reckoning with identity, calling, and what it really means to serve when you're no longer on staff.We talk about the pressure pastors face to protect their families while navigating church politics, the grief of being misunderstood, and how ministry systems sometimes elevate structure over care. But we also explore the grace Bob's found outside the church—in a new job, new community, and a deeper sense of calling that's not tied to a paycheck.If you’ve ever felt like you were suddenly “out,” questioned your place in the church, or wrestled with how to keep going when the system feels broken—Bob’s story will meet you there.Takeaways:👉 “I was in, and then I was out—just like that.” Bob shares what it felt like to lose a ministry job overnight.👉 His wife said it best: “I don’t know if my spirit can take that again.” 👉 We talk about why leaving church staff doesn’t mean you’re leaving your calling. 👉 “Sometimes I’m shown more grace in the workplace than I ever was in church.” 👉 Bob’s learning how to serve again—but now in ways that actually cost him something. 👉 We dig into the difference between character and corporate culture—and why some churches confuse the two.👉 You’re not disqualified. You’re not forgotten. You’re just in transition.This episode is for anyone who’s sat across the boardroom table alone, been told they’re no longer “called,” or is trying to untangle who they are now that the title is gone.🎧 Show Notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://itstheinbetween.com/episode17-bob-gardner/