BIG ANNOUNCEMENT(S): New Season of Life, Who Dis?

An Update on some of what I've been working on and some plans for the future

As I wrote about yesterday, my twenty year career as a Pastor in the local church has come to an end.

Furthermore, we also closed down the church I started back in 2014, Sojourn Grace Collective.

(If you’re interested, I think you might enjoy/appreciate watching our final service. It truly was a beautiful way to put this glorious community to rest. I’m honored to have pastored this church for eight and a half years.)

But enough of that… I’m sure many of you are here because for the last ten days on social media I’ve been counting down to today, November 1st.

And at long last here we are.

So then, without any further ado (beyond what I’ve already adone)…

What the heck is next?!

Well, the answer to that is…

complicated.

On the one hand, I’m still not sure. When you’ve only ever done one thing for two decades of your life it can be challenging to figure out what to do next.

(This feels uniquely challenging since my vocation has been “Pastor,” and most of the non-church world doesn’t really get what a Pastor is or does—actually, to be honest, my experience has been that even most people in the church never really got it, either. But my point is, that even though I have a bunch of skills and talents and gifts, they’re not really all that transferrable in terms of on paper, or on a resume.)

So I don’t know, man. That part feels overwhelming.

(I do have one prospect at the moment for a remote job with a buddy of mine that I hope will turn in to something more long term and sustainable. Fingers crossed on that!)

But on the other hand, right alongside so much uncertainty,

there are a few things that I AM excited to tell you about!

I’ll list them here briefly, but then please take a few minutes to scroll down and discover more about each one.

1. Brand New Audio Book for The SHIFT
   I’m producing my own audio book for The Shift! But like Sinatra, I’m doing it my way. Instead of a traditional audio book (through Audible), I’m producing each “chapter” as a podcast episode—complete with music, special guests, and more. It’s really cool.

2. Transitioning to be a Digital Pastor
   While my work in the local church is done, my calling as a Pastor is not. I’m inviting you to partner with me by joining my Patreon page and support my ongoing work to pastor people online.

3. New Paid Subscription for this Substack Newsletter
   I’ve been writing and offering this newsletter, Perspective Shift, for free for the past two years. I’m ready to offer a paid subscription for those who want to support me, and for those who want even more and different content.

4. My New Website
   It’s not quiiiite ready yet, but it’s good enough. My brand new website is home to all my resources and services. Check it out and let me know what you think!

I hope you’ll read on to hear more about each of these four exciting announcements from me!

---

#1 Brand New Audio Book for The SHIFT

I’ve been cooking this up in the lab for a while now, and I finally get to share it with you!

I’m creating a unique audio book experience for my second book, The SHIFT: Surviving and Thriving after Moving from Conservative to Progressive Christianity.

Writing this book was a blast for me… launching it, though? Less fun. The book came out just a couple weeks after the pandemic hit the U.S. in 2020 Which meant the poor thing never really got off the ground. Oh well. These things happen.

But I am READY to breathe new life in to it with this super dope audio book!

Essentially, each Chapter of the book is a fully produced podcast episode. Meaning, instead of purchasing the audio book through Audible/Amazon, you can access it through your regular podcast apps (Apple Podcast, Spotify, Etc). That way you can listen to it just like you do your regular pods.

Here’s a two minute clip from Chapter 2: Forsaking the Foundation of Certainty

How does it work?

1. If you want to try it out first, you can hear the Trailer and the Prologue for free on either Apple Podcast or Spotify.

2. When you’re ready to get the Audio Book, go here and pay the one-time price of just $19 (better and cheaper than Audible, right?!).

3. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be emailed instructions on how to access The SHIFT Audio Book in whatever podcast platform you use.

I’ve released the first three chapters/episodes. Over the coming weeks I’ll drip-release the remaining chapters.

I hope you check it out!

I know you’ll love it.

Next…

---

#2 Transition to Digital Pastoring

After 20 years of full-time ministry being a pastor in the local church, I'm entering a new season of ministry I'm calling, "Digital Pastor."

You see, there are still so many things I love about being a pastor:

• Caring for the well-being of people's hearts and souls.

• Teaching about the Way of Jesus.

• Inviting people to a life more open, expansive, and grace filled.

• Exploring how the Bible can still be inspiring and foundational.

• Offering a vision for progressive spirituality and Christianity.

• Breaking down complicated ideas into accessible resources.

• Fighting against toxic theology and harmful religious practices.

• Creating resources for those stumbling through the journey of life.

It's just that, for the time being, I won't be doing this work inside the walls of church.

Instead, I'm shifting my focus to expanding my ministry out in to the world wide web, and…

I need your help to make it happen!

My hope is that you would continue to see the value of my work,
and even more so, consider supporting my work by becoming a Patron.

I've chosen to utilize Patreon because I know there are lots of folks out there that believe in me and my work, and who agree with me that the world needs MORE resources for those searching for a progressive flavored spirituality and Christianity.

With your support I will be able to continue creating resources such as:

• Articles through my Substack page, "Perspective Shift"

• Bite-sized nuggets of inspiration and teaching through my Instagram

• Videos of instruction and empowerment on TikTok

• Longer form sermons and teaching on YouTube

• Writing more books and eBooks

There are five different Tiers of Patron Support. Each tier offers benefits for those who sign up at that level of support.

Some of the Benefits include:

• Free subscription to this newsletter, Perspective Shift

• Free copy of my brand new Audio Book for The SHIFT

• Access to Live Q&R's (Question and Responses)

• Free signed copies of my books (UnClobber & The SHIFT)

• Monthly Spiritual Coaching sessions

• Coffee/lunch/dinner with me

• Access to all my UnClobber Online Courses

Learn more and sign up to become a monthly Patron here.

---

#3 New Paid Subscription for Perspective Shift

This platform (Substack) that I use to write Perspective Shift is a fantastic platform for independent journalists, authors, and creators because it allows us to do our work and be supported/paid directly by individuals.

I’ve been writing on Substack for almost two years now, and everything has been free.

But I’m excited to announce that as of today I’ll be offering a Paid Subscription for Perspective Shift!

Why does this excite me? Well here’s two reasons:

1. Since my ministry is now moving online (see above section on Digital Pastor), I plan to write more frequently on this platform. Instead of my rhythm of one article a week, I plan to post three maybe four times a week. When you become a Paid Subscriber, you help make the space in my life to do this.

2. There are about 6500 of you on this free Newsletter. I know that many of you, given the choice, would love to support me and my writing, and this will give you a chance to do that.

My goal is pretty modest: I’m hoping to see just 5% of you make the jump to being a Paid Subscriber.

Will you help me get there?

EXPLAINING THE PAID SUBSCRIPTION (vs FREE)

If you do nothing, you’ll just stay on the FREE plan and continue to receive the occasional article from me as you have been. (Which will most likely be a continuation of my Wednesday articles, such as my current series on Noah’s Ark).

For those of you ready to move to a Paid Subscription (at just $5/month), you’ll gain access to:

• Memoir Mondays: Monday articles will be more personal in nature. I’m starting with a Series called, “Diaries of a Pastor,” where I’ll chronicle my journey to become a Pastor, and share some of what I’ve learned along the way.

• Bible Wednesdays: My Wednesday articles will be focused on things pertaining to the Bible.

• Conversation Fridays: On Fridays I’ll highlight some of the conversations happening around Social Media and invite you to weight in.

• Sermon Sundays: Soon (once I’ve had a few Sundays off, you know, after 20 straight years) I’ll start writing Sermon type articles for paid Subscribers on Sundays.

• Guest Writers: I’ll be inviting an assortment of guests to contribute articles, thus expanding the scope, reach, and voice of Perspective Shift

BUT WHY WOULD YOU PAY $5 A MONTH FOR THIS?

I guess because,

A) you believe in me and my work and want to support this ministry, and

2) because you like the idea of getting the above added material!

PLUS, you can save money by paying up front for the whole year ($50/year).

PLUS PLUS, you can take advantage of becoming a Founding Member ($100) which not only gives you a one year subscription, but as a Thank You I’ll mail you a signed copy of either UnClobber or The Shift!

---

#4 Brand New Website

Finally, I just wanted to let you know that I built myself a new website! (Quick plug: if you’re in the market for a new website, hit me up! I build them for others, too. Here’s a few examples.)

It’s still a work in progress, but I needed a new, simple, and easy to navigate HUB for all the various resources I create and services I provide.

For example, some of my Resources include:

• Books I’ve written

• Articles I write

• Podcasts I’ve created

• Online Courses

• YouTube videos

And some of the Services I provide include:

• Guest Preaching

• Event Speaking

• 1 on 1 Spiritual Coaching

• Website Designing

• Wedding Officiating

Check it out. Let me know what you think. And if you see any errors or find broken links, holler at me! :)

---

So that’s it, friends!

These are the things I’ve been really excited to unveil and share and invite you to join me in.

1. New Audio Book

2. Support me as a Digital Pastor through Patreon

3. Subscribe to Perspective Shift to support my writing and unlock more content

4. Check out my new website

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t freaking out right now.

I am.

With no job, and no steady source of income, and with nothing but debt accumulated after being a church planter for eight years, the horizon looks… unclear.

But honestly, I’ve never had a clear horizon. Who does?

So it’s just one step at a time

One day at a time.

Showing up as best I can.

Saying “yes” to life and to love.

And ultimately, the only sane thing to do: Trust.

Trust in God.

Trust in Love.

Trust in you.

I love you,

Thanks for reading.

-Colby

---

Here’s a few slides documenting the progression of seasons of Sojourn’s life.

Good times.