10 hours ago

Voices in My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) Episode 611: Ministry Transitions: Grief and Loss

Recorded live at Worship 4:24 at Cedarville University, Rick Lee James explores how ministry transitions carry real grief and loss, even when the change is good. He invites leaders to stop trying to “fix” people or rush past endings, and instead to name what has been lost, because unnamed grief often shows up in congregations as conflict, resistance, disengagement, or quiet sadness. Using Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s grief framework as a set of helpful lenses rather than a checklist, Rick walks through denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, offering practical ways to recognize what might be happening beneath the surface when worship styles shift, beloved leaders leave, routines change, or familiar symbols disappear. Along the way he shares his own story of moving from decades as a worship pastor into full-time hospital chaplaincy, a faithful transition that still required honest grieving, and he grounds the conversation in biblical lament, reminding listeners that resurrection hope does not bypass Good Friday.

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Hosted by: Rick Lee James — Voices in My Head Podcast

Get the Audiobook, Out of the Depths: A Songwriter’s Journey Through the Psalms by your host, Rick Lee James, on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/B0F45G6KWH?qid=1744142727&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=KEDVV78ASDMS52WQFD7W&plink=3YmaWg4y0HJ0Cjfc&pageLoadId=IaamycyuJR519uYD&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1%20

Don’t forget about our music sale on Bandcamp.

Use the code “10off” on RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com to get 10% off your purchase.

Blessings,

Rick Lee James

Email: Rick@RickLeeJames.com

Don’t forget about our music sale on Bandcamp.

Use the code “10off” on RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com to get 10% off your purchase.

Blessings,

Rick Lee James

Email: Rick@RickLeeJames.com

Blessings,

Rick Lee James

Get the new song - Whatever You Do

VINYL SALE

THUNDER by Rick Lee James

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VINYL SALE -

“KEEP WATCH, DEAR LORD” BY RICK LEE JAMES 🎸🎹

Available On ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS

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Thank you for listening!

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PURCHASE ALBUM: www.RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com

SongSelect: https://songselect.ccli.com/Songs/6152291/advent-hymn-watching-waiting-longing
Downloadable Charts and More available from LIFEWAYWORSHIP.COM: https://worship.lifeway.com/findAndBuy/songPage/AdventHymn(Watching%2CWaiting%2CLonging)?versionId=93901&rowNum=0&searchString=Advent%20Hymn%20(watching,%20Waiting,%20Longing)#song-Parts
Loop Community: https://loopcommunity.com/en-us/songs/advent-hymn-(watching%2C-waiting%2C-longing)-by-rick-lee-james-3892

Endorsements:

“A perfect and needed addition to any Christmas playlist this year. Rick Lee James bringing home the Advent Message.”

-CCM Magazine https://www.ccmmagazine.com/music-video/rick-lee-james-advent-hymn-watching-waiting-longing/

“I love Advent Hymn (Watching, Waiting, Longing), which gives newness to the phrases of Isaiah. Watching, waiting, and longing is what we do now, and these songs help us do that in confidence. I anticipate that this album will be received as a great gift by many who will find their faith nourished and awakened by it.”

–Walter Brueggemann (Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary)

"I've watched Rick grow as an artist and songwriter for many years. Congratulations brother on an excellent independent release."

-Paul Baloche (Dove Award Winning Songwriter)

"Rick Lee James is a poet and singer. You will not only enjoy listening, you'll be drawn into the source –Jesus."

-Mike Harland

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