Some of my Best Work with Eric Hoke

Eric Hoke

Conversations on Career, Calling, Identity erichoke.substack.com

  1. The end of the Coldplay Concert & TED Talk Churches with Rodney Adams

    May 25

    The end of the Coldplay Concert & TED Talk Churches with Rodney Adams

    Key takeaways: 1) The church model is shifting, whether leaders like it or not.Boomers built institutional churches; younger generations don’t trust or join institutions the same way, so the future will be more networked and less denominational. 2) Discipleship isn’t complex—it’s just rarely executed consistently.If people aren’t regularly in the Word, prayer, and community, they’re not actually being formed, no matter how many programs exist. 3) Churches get messy when they avoid operational reality.Money, staffing, and transitions require clear, structured decisions—even in a spiritual environment—otherwise emotions and ambiguity create bigger problems. Connect with Rodney on his Substack Rodney Adams This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erichoke.substack.com

    1h 7m
  2. The Anti-Busy Family with Sarah Marsh

    May 11

    The Anti-Busy Family with Sarah Marsh

    IHelpPastorsGetJobs.com helps ministry leaders market themselves for corporate jobs. Download our free PDF to learn more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erichoke.substack.com

    50 min
  3. My Biggest Regret in Pastoral Ministry with Zach Monroe

    Apr 27

    My Biggest Regret in Pastoral Ministry with Zach Monroe

    Takeaways: Say less, carry more weight: Restraint > Expressiveness. Speaking selectively makes your input more valuable. This is a learned skill for pastors transitioning to the marketplace. Transitions cost you your identity (at first) - Leaving ministry isn’t just a job change—it’s a loss of role, clarity, and belonging. You need to rebuild from scratch, but life does stabilize. When church systems ignore real life, people don’t lack commitment; they lack time and alignment. Work, family, and growth are part of formation, not distractions. Connect with Zach Monroe on Substack. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erichoke.substack.com

    49 min
  4. Why Chasing Fulfillment Through Your Career Backfires | Dr. Jen Bennett

    Apr 13

    Why Chasing Fulfillment Through Your Career Backfires | Dr. Jen Bennett

    Are you a pastor or ministry leader who wants to transition into the marketplace in 2026? Schedule a free call below. Our team would love to meet you. Purpose in Work Often Emerges Through Seasons, Not Immediate Clarity: Many people expect to find a “perfect job” that fulfills their purpose immediately, but meaningful careers often develop through different seasons of work. Some jobs are focused on paying bills, others on learning skills, and others on leadership growth. Each stage serves a purpose in shaping experience and character. Recognizing the season you’re currently in can reduce frustration and help you see how present work contributes to future calling. High Achievers Must Guard Their Identity from Being Tied to Performance: As Enneagram “Type 3” achievers, people driven to make an impact often derive their identity from accomplishments. While ambition helps turn vision into reality, the shadow side is overworking, burnout, and seeking approval from others. A healthier approach is to remember that your value exists before achievements, titles, or success, and to protect rhythms like rest and Sabbath to maintain alignment with deeper purpose. Entrepreneurship Is Often Lonely & Community Is Essential: Entrepreneurship frequently involves uncertainty, isolation, and carrying a vision others may not fully understand. One of the biggest mistakes founders make is trying to build everything alone. Instead of immediately searching for a better strategy, entrepreneurs may need to find community, partners, or cohorts who understand the journey and provide perspective and encouragement. You can connect with Dr. Jen on her Website or her Substack. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erichoke.substack.com

    47 min
  5. Peyton Jones: When the Church is Busy but not Activated.

    Mar 30

    Peyton Jones: When the Church is Busy but not Activated.

    IHelpPastorsGetJobs.com helps ministry leaders market themselves for corporate jobs. Download our free PDF to learn more. Episode Takeaways 1. Mobilization Comes Before MultiplicationThe church often focuses on growth and scaling, but Jesus focused first on forming people. If there’s a multiplication problem, there’s usually a mobilization problem underneath it. 2. Jesus Followed a Three-Phase RhythmYear one was about time and relationships. Year two focused on teaching and observation. Year three shifted to tactics—sending them out and activating them. 3. Discipleship Is Not the Same as Disciple MakingDiscipleship often centers on believers and weekly study. Disciplemaking starts with unbelievers and happens through everyday life and mission. 4. Activation Requires ActionTeaching informs and time transforms, but tactics activate. People don’t fully mature until they are sent and given responsibility. 5. Build Multipliers, Not Just MinistriesInstead of building bigger congregations, invest deeply in a few people. If you intentionally reproduce yourself into 12 others, growth becomes organic rather than manufactured. You can purchase Peyon’s Book at DiscipologyBook.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erichoke.substack.com

    47 min
  6. "I was Fired, Broke, and 12 Days Into Fatherhood." Steve Goble's Comeback Story

    Mar 16

    "I was Fired, Broke, and 12 Days Into Fatherhood." Steve Goble's Comeback Story

    Crisis Can Clarify Calling - Steve didn’t choose entrepreneurship — it chose him after he was fired 12 days after his daughter was born. Instead of reacting in panic, he took time to grieve and process the shock. That space allowed him to move from disruption into direction. Rejection Is a Core Entrepreneurial Skill - Steve emphasizes that entrepreneurs hear “no” constantly — and must learn to recover quickly. A verbal yes means nothing; only signed contracts and deposits matter. The advantage isn’t avoiding rejection, it’s developing the emotional endurance to keep moving. Faith Shows Up Through Consistency, Not Branding - Steve integrates his faith into his work through integrity, fairness, and intentional leadership, not overt marketing. He doesn’t weaponize belief, but he doesn’t hide it either. His conviction shows up more in character than in slogans. Organizations Avoid Urgency Around People Problems - Many companies delay addressing people issues until they become financially painful. In his view, people are the only real competitive advantage, yet they’re often the last to be prioritized for investment. You can connect with Steve on LinkedIn. Kingdom Focused Summit is on April 23rd in Lancaster, PA - Order your Tickets HERE. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erichoke.substack.com

    1h 11m
  7. How can Pastors get Marketplace Jobs in 2026? Aaron Thomas from I Help Pastors Get Jobs

    Mar 2

    How can Pastors get Marketplace Jobs in 2026? Aaron Thomas from I Help Pastors Get Jobs

    Are you a pastor or ministry leader who wants to transition into the marketplace in 2026? Schedule a free call below. Our team would love to meet you. The 2026 Job Market Is Slower and More Relational: The post-COVID hiring surge is over. Fewer companies are hiring, fewer people are leaving, and trust levels are lower, which means networking and relational pathways matter more than polished resumes alone. Transparency Inside Your Church May Be the First Move: Before updating your LinkedIn, consider having honest conversations with your board or elders. Many pastors assume resistance, but flexibility around workload, compensation, or bi-vocational models is often more possible than expected Remote Work Is Harder to Land: Remote roles have dropped significantly since 2022, and competition is national instead of local. Hybrid or in-person roles often create faster traction and allow you to build relational equity before negotiating flexibility. Marketplace Doesn’t Mean Ministry Is Over: Leaving full-time pastoring isn’t abandoning your calling. Many former pastors discover deeper one-on-one ministry opportunities in corporate environments where people are hungry for a trusted, steady presence. Fear of Forced Exit Is Often Worse Than Reality: Termination, resignation, or career disruption can feel catastrophic, but they’re survivable. With boundaries, negotiation, and wise counsel, even worst-case scenarios can become short-term storms rather than life-defining disasters This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erichoke.substack.com

    46 min

  8. 11/20/2025

    Season 1 Finale: Next Steps for Eric & I Help Pastors Get Jobs is Hiring!

    Thank you for engaging with me over the last 31 episodes of this podcast, and thank you to all of my guests. I look forward to seeing you on the podcast in March. My big focus this winter: Hiring a Director of Operations for I Help Pastors Get Jobs. Skills required: Customer Success. Sales. Career Services. Occasional Pastoral Counseling. This remote position is flexible and requires 5-10 hours of work per week. Commission-based. Perfect for the Entrepreneur-Curious person who wants to learn the ins and outs of the professional coaching space. You must be organized, good with pastors (and their spouses), and capable of managing relationships with ministers who are simultaneously in vocational crisis and confused about LinkedIn settings. I provide training and mentorship, and you receive 75% of all new business you bring in. This is a perfect turnkey operation for someone who wants to build something without stressing about the backend work. If you know someone who might be a good fit, please send them my way, and I’ll pay you $500 after a successful 90-day onboarding period. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erichoke.substack.com

    14 min
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Conversations on Career, Calling, Identity erichoke.substack.com

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