Holy Shift #24 - The Dark Side of Ministry with Steve Pyfrom
Jul 2, 2025
Steve Pyfrom, former pastor and now Head of Strategy and Sales at The Nine, reflects on leaving ministry and life after church. He discusses the long, painful journey out, how ministry can feed ego, and the toll it takes on family. He also explores attending a church he once served and choosing informal ways to serve without a title.
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Holding Conviction In A Skeptical City
- Living as a minority believer in liberal Portland highlighted contrast: Steve enjoys cultural differences and can hold both conviction and humor about faith amid skepticism.
- He appreciates city culture while noting people find his belief in the resurrection unusual yet historically grounded.
Embracing The Messy Circularity Of Church
- Steve embraces a circular view of faith, accepting churches as messy spaces where growth comes through pain rather than linear success.
- After leaving staff, he found spiritual development in being a congregant and reconciling theological convictions with imperfect community life.
Institutional Caution Versus Planting Urgency
- Internal church assessments often give 'yellow lights' that stall ambitious leaders, creating tension between institutional caution and youthful confidence to plant.
- Steve felt assessed as not 'ready' yet still pursued planting opportunities elsewhere.
