In this powerful kick-off to the first season of the Care for Pastors Podcast, host Robby Bolden sits down with Dr. Robert White, a pastor, counselor, and coach, to explore the profound pain of loss in ministry. Through personal, vulnerable storytelling, Dr. White recounts his own experience with divorce during his tenure as a senior pastor and how it brought him to the brink of despair. His moving story includes finding hope on the floor in prayer, learning to forgive, and discovering unexpected purpose and fruitfulness after devastation.

Listeners will gain insight into why God sometimes “suffers the tree”—withholding what we think we need to deepen our spiritual roots. Dr. White discusses the stigma pastors face after divorce, the importance of seeking help, and how pain can become the seedbed for a greater ministry. The conversation is filled with honesty, practical advice, and compassion for hurting leaders.

Dr. White’s journey reminds us that no situation is hopeless while serving a risen Savior and that God does not waste our pain. Leaders and their families in any season of loss will find wisdom, empathy, and renewed hope in this episode.

This conversation explores themes of:

• How loss and heartbreak can deepen your compassion and ministry impact
• Why vulnerability and honesty matter for leaders
• The daily discipline of forgiveness and what it looks like in practice
• Learning to process pain in community rather than isolation
• Finding hope and renewed calling after devastating personal loss

Resources mentioned on the episode:

Care for Pastors

GriefShare.org

The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller

It Wasn’t Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst

The Pastors’ Ally Private Facebook Group

The Confidante for Pastors’ Wives Private Facebook Group

If this episode spoke to you or someone you love, please share it with others in ministry who may be struggling. Subscribe to the Care for Pastors Podcast so you never miss an episode and leave a review to help others find support.

About our Guest:

Dr. Robert White was raised in central Florida and completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Florida. After college, he completed the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees at Luther Rice Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. For more than 40 years he has served as pastor of churches in Florida and in Massachusetts. In October 2016, Dr. White joined Care For Pastors as a Pastoral Counselor/Coach. Robert currently resides with his wife, Kaye, in Leesburg, Florida.