The Hidden Battles: Overcoming Trauma and Embracing Grace in Ministry

In this heartfelt episode, Krissie Glass shares her powerful story of grief, mental health struggles, and resilience as a pastor's kid, a counselor, and a ministry leader. Her journey highlights the importance of authentic conversations about mental health within faith communities and underscores God's relentless grace amid life's darkest moments.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Krissie's personal experience with the loss of her first husband and the journey through her grief
• The impact of church culture on mental health stigma and silence
• The misconception that pastors and their families are immune to emotional struggles
• How suffering in silence affects mental health and what the church can do to create a safe environment
• Practical steps pastors and church leaders can take to foster openness and support
• The importance of authentic community, counseling, and God's presence in healing
• How grief can deepen our understanding of God's character and His nearness
• The significance of sharing stories to break the shame and stigma surrounding mental health
• Resources available for pastoral families, including Care for Pastors and other supportive ministries

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Introduction and background of Krissie Glass
• 02:09 - Krissie's current life, family, and ministry work
• 04:32 - Her personal journey through trauma and tragedy
• 08:09 - Church culture and silencing of mental health issues
• 12:55 - The moment of her husband's death and its aftermath
• 17:09 - The church as a refuge for the hurting, not a reward for the flawless
• 20:50 - Doubts and struggles with faith after trauma
• 23:44 - God's faithfulness amid unanswered prayers
• 27:34 - The messy process of healing and grief as worship
• 30:03 - What helpful support looks like from others
• 33:38 - The importance of community and compassionate church culture
• 37:17 - Reasons ministry leaders suffer in silence
• 40:02 - Creating safe spaces for mental health conversations
• 42:53 - Words of encouragement for those suffering in silence
• 45:00 - Life after grief, remarriage, and hope for the future
• 49:27 - Lessons grief has taught about God's character
• 52:35 - The profound truths learned through valley experiences
• 53:45 - The enduring power of God's promises and presence

Resources & Links:

• Care for Pastors
• Pastors Kids Resources
• The Backstage Project

This episode emphasizes that mental health struggles are universal and that the church should be a safe haven for vulnerability and healing. Krissie's story inspires hope, courage, and the importance of community support and God's unending grace.

From Ministry Struggles to Healing: Bo Coburn's Journey of Resilience and Redemption

Discover the raw truth behind the challenges of church leadership and the profound journey of healing and identity restoration. Bo Coburn shares his candid story of ministry hardships, personal loss, and ultimate renewal in faith and self-worth.

Main Topics Covered:

• The realities of church ministry: conflict, manipulation, and politics
• The emotional toll of ministry failures and toxic environments
• How Bo's faith was challenged, deconstructed, and rewritten
• Strategies for healing: counseling, outside perspective, and shifting identity
• The importance of acknowledging quiet battles and embracing grace

In this episode:

• Bo reflects on over 15 years in various church leadership roles and the toll it took
• He candidly discusses the culture of toxicity and betrayal he experienced
• How repeated setbacks led to panic attacks and loss of confidence
• The process of deconstruction — questioning everything, yet holding onto faith
• Practical advice for those in toxic environments: pay attention to the body's signals, seek safe communities, and distinguish faithfulness from endurance in unhealthy settings
• The transformative realization that worth is rooted in being loved for who we are, not what we do
• Moving toward health: how healing unfolds when identity is disentangled from performance

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to quiet struggles and relentless grace
02:45 - First experiences in ministry and initial challenges
10:20 - Transition from church service to corporate ministry support
12:20 - The emotional and spiritual toll of toxic church environments
20:29 - The heartbreaking experience of church rejections and office politics
22:24 - The moment of unexpected job loss and aftermath
26:37 - The impact of ministry trauma on mental health and identity
28:40 - Absence of redemptive outreach from church community
30:36 - How family carried the weight of ministry wounds
32:27 - Questioning calling, faith, and understanding deconstruction
36:26 - The differences between church hurt and workplace wounds
38:24 - The beginning of healing and hope for the future
41:24 - The realization of unconditional love and God’s faithfulness
45:10 - Lessons learned about God's love beyond performance
46:23 - Moving forward with hope and new priorities
48:17 - The beauty of God's daily provision and future legacy
51:34 - The loudest grace experienced: discovering worth in God's love

Resources & Links:

• The Plause as a Terrible Therapist Course
• Ministry Brands (helps churches with management software, not an endorsement but relevant for ministry leaders)
• Bo Coburn on LinkedIn

Remember: You're not alone in your struggles. If you're in a toxic environment or facing quiet battles, seek support, and know that God's grace is louder than the challenges you face. Healing is possible, and your identity is rooted in love, not performance.

# Quiet Battles, Loud Grace: A Conversation with Mariann BurrisJoin us for a heartfelt discussion with Mariann Burris as she shares her journey through trauma, resilience, and faith. This episode delves into the quiet battles many face behind the scenes and how God's grace shines through the darkest moments.

In this episode:

• Mariann's background and life in Texas, including her family and career.
• The impact of mental health crises within her family, including her son's suicide attempt and her daughter's struggles.
• How COVID-19 and personal traumas reshaped Mariann's approach to faith, family, and self-care.
• The importance of intentionality, communication, and grace during difficult times.
• Recognizing and navigating the stigma around mental health in faith communities.
• The role of prayer, faith, and God's loudest grace—protection—throughout her journey.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Mariann Burris and episode overview
02:22 - Mariann's background and family life in Texas
05:02 - Early struggles and awareness of mental health issues
09:11 - The trauma of exposure to her son's suicide attempt and ICU stay
13:08 - The complexities of supporting her daughter through sexual harassment and trauma
15:43 - Reflection on her faith journey amid family crises
21:36 - How her quiet battles became a source of strength and hope
32:42 - Overcoming stigma and sharing her story with others
36:25 - The ripple effects of trauma on marriage and siblings
44:56 - Hope and God's loudest grace—protection and faithfulness
54:54 - Closing thoughts and encouragement for listeners facing their own battles

Resources & Links:

• Dallas Baptist University
• Texas State Technical College
• Apartment Life
• Praying Dangerous Prayers

If you're walking through similar struggles or need someone to listen, remember you're not alone. The Backstage Project offers free counseling and coaching at thebackstageproject.org or contact Brent at brent@thebackstageproject.org.

This episode emphasizes the importance of sharing our quiet battles and embracing God's grace, loud and clear. Thank you for listening.

In the premiere episode of Quiet Battles, Loud Grace, host Brent Dyer shares the deeply personal story behind the podcast. After spending twenty-five years in ministry, Brent found himself facing an unexpected season of loss, grief, and identity upheaval when the life he thought he would always have suddenly changed. Through honest reflection, clinical insight, and hard-earned wisdom, he explores how grief is often about more than losing people - it can also mean losing dreams, callings, and versions of ourselves.

This episode is an invitation to anyone carrying a quiet battle. Whether you're navigating burnout, disappointment, anxiety, church hurt, loss, or uncertainty, you'll discover that your struggle does not have the final word. Grace is louder. Hope is still possible. And healing often begins when we stop pretending we're okay and start telling the truth.