The Crabby Pastor

Send a text When the calling you've devoted your heart to is stripped away, where do you turn? This episode features the courageous Kristen Humiston, who opens up about the often-concealed traumas of ministry leadership. Have you or anyone you know experienced forced termination and the trauma that it induced? Then this episode is for them, and YOU! This is part one of three conversations wit...

Send a text Imagine stepping into a sanctuary that's as safe and nurturing as it is spiritually enriching – this is the future we're fashioning today on the Crabby Pastor podcast. I'm Margie Bryce, and alongside former private investigator Lori Morrison, we're ripping off the veil on the urgent need for secure church environments. Through Lori's unique lens, we grasp the t...

Send a text This week on the Crabby Pastor podcast, I’m thrilled to have Debra Peck, author of "The Hijacked Conscience," join us to illuminate the often misunderstood world of religious scrupulosity. Debra opens up about her personal battle with this form of OCD that entangles fear, sin, and relentless spiritual rituals. Together, we dissect the complexities of this condition, aiming to...

Send a text Let's peel back the curtain of battles with diets from Atkins to Weight Watchers, and I'll share how I learned to navigate the emotional minefields that can sabotage our healthiest intentions.  This episode isn't just about what you eat, it's about the challenges we face with food.  I'll share how adapting your weight management approach to fit your lifestyle i...

Send a text Here's a unique metaphor for HOW we work in our vocations.  Join me, Margie Bryce, on a journey to harmonize the scattered shards of our personal and professional lives, just like crafting a stained glass masterpiece.  The silent predator of burnout lurks in the shadows of our demanding roles, which is why this episode features a vital burnout questionnaire to help you self-assess...

Send a text Join Margie Bryce and special guest Michael Bischoff from Soul Leader on The Crabby Pastor podcast as they explore the delicate balance of ministry and self-care.  They discuss the transformative process of faith deconstruction, likening it to a messy yet rewarding kitchen renovation. One way to become more resilient can be through questioning and owning our faith.  The episode also ad...

Send a text Join podcast host Margie Bryce and special guest Michael Bischoff from Soul Leader Resources as they delve into the art of constructing a sustainable life in ministry. In this enlightening discussion, Margie and Michael explore the beauty of self-care and the vital importance of integrating sustainability into our vocational callings. Michael bravely shares his personal journey battlin...

Send a text Discover the transformative journey from the burdens of leadership to the oasis of self-care and sustainable ministry with Margie Bryce, host of the Crabby Pastor podcast. Dive into the tranquil sanctuary of her glass workshop as she extends a personal invitation to fellow ministry leaders seeking balance and renewal. In this candid episode, Margie confesses her struggles and triumphs...

Send a text Have you ever found yourself so immersed in the demands of ministry leadership that your own spirit starts to fray at the edges?  In this episode, we're joined by the insightful Paul Kuzma, a pastoral counselor who has weathered the storm of burnout himself. Together, our conversation weaves personal narratives and practical wisdom into a tapestry of guidance for any ministry lead...

Send a text When Cathy Parish went from  a local pastor in Indiana to a minister of evangelism in Alabama, little did she know that her quest for coaching would redefine not just her path, but the way we all view mentorship in ministry. Our latest episode of the Crabby Pastor podcast is a heartfelt exploration with Cathy into the world of coaching for ministry leaders, where we debunk myths and sh...

Send a text Have you ever witnessed the moment when a long-held belief is challenged and, like a seedling breaking through concrete, transforms into a new understanding? That's the kind of metamorphosis we unpack in our latest episode of the Krabby Pastor podcast, where I, Margie Bryce, sit down with guests to discuss the power of a growth mindset, especially within the sacred walls of minist...

Send a text Discover what it takes to foster a transformative ministry in today's ever-changing spiritual landscape. Join me, Margie Bryce, for an insightful discussion with Reverend Alex Lang, whose candid revelations in "Departure: Why I Left the Church" have resonated with leaders and congregants alike.  We tackle the gritty realities of nurturing a congregation's growth aga...

Send a text Time for another: Back from Burnout episode. Reverend Tanner Griffin is candid about the moments that led him to step away from full-time pastoral work and this is a tale of caution as well as invaluable insight for those bearing the mantle of spiritual leadership. His emergency room wake-up call, stemming from an unrelenting panic attack, underscores the critical importance of mental...

Send a text When Reverend Dawn Ramirez, the compassionate force behind Little Lambs Compassionate Ministry Center, joins me, Margie Bryce, it's more than just a conversation—it's an inspiring journey through how coaching is a valuable asset for ministry. Discover the powerful narrative of how Rev. Ramirez and her team have sustained hope and support for families in Genesee County, naviga...

Send a text Join me, Margie Bryce, as I sit down with Jason Moore, an innovative ministry leader merging faith with the digital frontier. We unravel the complex relationship between artificial intelligence and spiritual outreach, sharing how AI like ChatGPT can amplify the echoes of our sermons to a tech-embraced congregation. Grappling with potential ethical dilemmas, we navigate how tradition we...

Send a text And just where did all the people go??? Let's chat honestly about the dip in attendance after the high holy holidays. One minute the throngs are there and the next... nada! Once those crowds disperse, reality sets in. One key reality is that we are only human. Proof: how our emotions deal with reality. Give a listen! Support the show This is a GUILT-FREE zone! So here's your...

Send a text Ever feel overwhelmed by personal and global challenges? You're not alone. Margie Bryce, host of the Crabby Pastor podcast, explores how to find authentic joy amidst struggles and suffering.  Margie powerfully illustrates this with the example of Mary, and her joy in serving the Lord, even amidst trials. We also touch on the unique struggles many churches have faced during the pan...

Send a text Have you ever felt like a 'Crabby Pastor,' hustling to keep up with ministry duties, only to realize you're burnt out and your self-care has taken a back seat?  It's time to pump the brakes and take a detour away from pastoral burnout and tune in to this little Advent devotional about the crucial role self-love plays in sustainable ministry. Wait, what?? I’m here to...

Send a text Ever found yourself lost, grappling with the complexity of leading a ministry, especially during the hustle and bustle of the Advent season?  But how do we find peace in the frenzy and avoid burnout? I'm Margie Bryce, host of the Crabby Pastor podcast, on a journey to uncover practical, faith-based strategies - prayer, song, gratitude, positive thinking - to root ourselves in calm...

Send a text Have you ever considered how the shimmering beauty of a stained glass heart captures the vulnerability of those who lead in ministry? As your host, Margie Bryce, I'm here to share valuable insights relating to the sustainability of ministry, especially during this Advent season. Drawing on my journey as a ministry leader and the hardships faced by the prophet Jeremiah, I aim to of...

Send a text What if the very tradition meant to show appreciation towards pastors, instead stirs up feelings of trauma, invalidation, and a sense of being unappreciated? As your host, Margie Bryce, we grapple with this question on the latest episode of the Crabby Pastor podcast. I’m discussing Pastor Appreciation Month, an event that has become a contentious topic among ministry leaders, leading t...

Send a text Part 2 of a compelling conversation, on how sabbatical know-how. Your host, Margie Bryce, and guest Rev. Dr. Chris Adams from Biola University illuminate the significance of a sabbatical as a powerful tool for rejuvenation. But the relief doesn't end there - we also reveal how to gradual re-entry to work can save you from feeling overwhelmed, guiding you towards a softer landing b...

Send a text Feeling the strain of ministry leadership? Burnout is more common than you might think, and it often goes unnoticed by those who are suffering. Together with the insightful Rev. Dr. Chris Adams from Biola University, we explore the how-tos of sabbatical from the planning process to the actual sabbatical time. You get out what you put into a sabbatical and our discussion will help give...

Send a text Do you ever feel like the pressure of ministry is weighing you down? This episode is your lifeline! Join me, Margie Bryce, for a soul-refreshing conversation on self-care for ministry leaders. I'm bringing you a wealth of wisdom on building resilience through hobbies, recreational activities, and focusing on single tasks that give your brain a much-needed rest from the pressures o...

Send a text Are you determined to steer clear of becoming the 'Crabby Pastor,' exhausted and irritable? If so, this episode (which is Part 1 of a two-part series) will help guide you to sustain yourself in the demanding world of ministry.  We start with a look at 50 Ways to Support Your Pastor Across Five Dimensions of Well-Being : social, physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual—th...