What happens when ministry wounds you so deeply that you wonder if you’ll ever serve again?

In this conversation, Sarah Hinlicky Wilson joins Tara Beth Leach and Mark Quanstrom to share how a decade away from the pastorate became a season of theological reflection, healing, and rediscovery of God’s mercy. From the theology of the cross to the false lure of utopian church ideals, Sarah offers hard-won wisdom for pastors whose hearts are broken.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Why stepping away from the pastorate was necessary for recovery
• The dangers of chasing validation in ministry
• How churches confuse the theology of the cross with glory
• Facing sin in the church without losing hope
• Returning to your first love as a pastor

⏱️ Timestamps:

01:05 Sarah’s season away from ministry

05:00 Wrestling with anger and recovery

09:30 Lessons from failure and immaturity

13:50 Roots vs. fruits: pursuing word and sacrament

16:20 Cross and resurrection held together

20:00 The church’s sins and the call to confession

28:00 American utopianism in church life

30:30 A word for pastors with broken hearts

Healing after ministry wounds is slow, but it is holy work. By returning to our first love in Christ and trusting God’s mercy, pastors can find hope beyond anger and rediscover the joy of serving God’s people.