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Listen "The One About Guarding Your Heart When Students Walk Away"
Episode Synopsis
How do you keep your heart soft when students you poured into walk away from the faith?
In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian have a raw, pastoral conversation about the deep grief many student pastors carry, especially when students who once seemed “all in” lose their way. They talk through the emotional weight of those moments, how to grieve well, and how to keep showing up with hope instead of bitterness.
This isn’t about blaming ourselves or others. It’s about guarding our hearts with the truth of God’s Word and staying faithful to the call, even when the fruit is hard to see.
Inside the Episode
Why it hurts so deeply when students walk away
Paul’s example of grieving without giving up
Why emotional maturity matters in ministry
You are not the hero—God brings the growth
Questions to ask when the grief feels heavy
How to walk in hope, not cynicism
Join The Community: https://www.shapingstudentministry.com/pricing-plans/checkout-1?planId=bdf7472e-3f3d-46f9-8d7e-08c08d9477fe&checkoutFlowId=43925d45-8efd-40df-b69d-cbbe7f873a47
In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian have a raw, pastoral conversation about the deep grief many student pastors carry, especially when students who once seemed “all in” lose their way. They talk through the emotional weight of those moments, how to grieve well, and how to keep showing up with hope instead of bitterness.
This isn’t about blaming ourselves or others. It’s about guarding our hearts with the truth of God’s Word and staying faithful to the call, even when the fruit is hard to see.
Inside the Episode
Why it hurts so deeply when students walk away
Paul’s example of grieving without giving up
Why emotional maturity matters in ministry
You are not the hero—God brings the growth
Questions to ask when the grief feels heavy
How to walk in hope, not cynicism
Join The Community: https://www.shapingstudentministry.com/pricing-plans/checkout-1?planId=bdf7472e-3f3d-46f9-8d7e-08c08d9477fe&checkoutFlowId=43925d45-8efd-40df-b69d-cbbe7f873a47
More episodes of the podcast Shaping Student Ministry Podcast
The One About Campus Ministry
13/08/2025
The One About Catchphrase Christianity
23/07/2025
The One about Discipleship on the Spectrum
09/07/2025
The One about Summer Chaos and Fall Momentum
03/07/2025
In God we trust