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. Connect with Rick Lee James Website: RickLeeJames.com Music & merch: search “Rick Lee James” on your favorite music platform Subscribe, rate, and review Voices in My Head wherever you listen to podcasts. 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 ----more---- 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 ONLY $9.99. (Plus you get a free digital download of the album) VINYL SALE - “KEEP WATCH, DEAR LORD” BY RICK LEE JAMES 🎸🎹 Available On ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS https://show.co/Lz0h35H https://show.co/Lz0h35H Thank you for listening! 10% Off Everything Rick Lee James on Band camp Instructions Visit https://rickleejames.bandcamp.com At checkout use code: 10off Web Site: https://rickleejames.com 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 RICK LEE JAMES INFO Web Sites: https://www.rickleejames.com Get The Single: https://rickleejames.hearnow.com/halls More from Rick Lee James Shine A Light In The Darkness Get The Single: https://rickleejames.hearnow.com/shine-a-light-in-the-darkness Music Video: Rick Lee James Playlist on Spotify: https://t.co/S7nCRl0xqa ----more---- 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 ONLY $9.99. (Plus you get a free digital download of the album) VINYL SALE - “KEEP WATCH, DEAR LORD” BY RICK LEE JAMES 🎸🎹 Available On ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS https://show.co/Lz0h35H https://show.co/Lz0h35H Thank you for listening! 10% Off Everything Rick Lee James on Band camp Instructions Visit https://rickleejames.bandcamp.com At checkout use code: 10off Web Site: https://rickleejames.com 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 RICK LEE JAMES INFO Web Sites: https://www.rickleejames.com Get The Single: https://rickleejames.hearnow.com/halls More from Rick Lee James Shine A Light In The Darkness Get The Single: https://rickleejames.hearnow.com/shine-a-light-in-the-darkness Music Video: Rick Lee James Playlist on Spotify: https://t.co/S7nCRl0xqa
