Episode 64 — STEP THREE | Laying Down Control: Surrendering Ministry Outcomes and Personal Image + Original Song “Lay It Down Again” In Step Three of The Twelve Steps for a Pastor in Recovery, Jon talks about one of the hardest steps in ministry — laying down control. For many pastors, surrender doesn’t mean giving up—it means giving God back what was already His. In this honest and personal episode, Jon shares real stories from his years in ministry, the struggle between vision and surrender, and the peace that came when he finally released control of outcomes, image, and expectations. You’ll also hear how even great leaders like Moses wrestled with this step, and how learning to trust God’s leadership can lift the weight we were never meant to carry. “Letting go doesn’t mean giving up — it means giving God back what was already His.” If you’ve ever felt worn out trying to hold everything together, this episode will meet you right where you are. 🎧 Key Themes: The progressive nature of recovery — why you can’t skip steps The illusion of control in ministry leadership How to trust God with your image, plans, and outcomes A practical tool for surrender: The Surrender List 📖 Scripture References: Proverbs 3:5–6 · Isaiah 6:8 · Psalm 37:5 · Jeremiah 10:23 · Matthew 11:28–30 🎵 Original Song: “Lay It Down Again” — a soulful, country-inspired anthem about surrendering ministry control and finding peace in God’s leadership. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/pastors-in-recovery--6262503/support . Connect with Jon and find hope for your own recovery journey: 🌐 www.pastorsinrecovery.com 📧
[email protected] ▶️ YouTube: youtube.com/@pastorsinrecovery 🎵 Also visit Jon’s music channel, youtube.com/@CrashingLyrics , to hear more songs featured in the podcast. Just go to Playlists and look for Pastors in Recovery .
