Taking the Leap - Tips for Moving from Ministry to Marketplace

It might be the topic you avoid at family gatherings, but Todd Linder doesn’t shy away from it.

Why?

Because you need someone you can talk to.

What’s the topic?

Leaving ministry to pursue a role in the marketplace.

After spending years working in ministry (where he ran one of the largest ministry internship programs in the U.S., led hiring efforts, and reviewed 4,000-5,000 applications) Todd became the designated career coach among his friends.

Now, almost five years in, Todd has helped 83 (and counting) people in ministry get marketplace jobs through his business Launch Point.

In this article, Todd shares his best advice for navigating one of the biggest transitions of your life.

How do you recommend people in ministry present themselves as they make the jump from ministry to for-profit industries?

It’s not the most qualified person who gets the job, it’s the person who can clearly communicate that they’re the most qualified. You have to position yourself as someone who understands the hiring manager’s problem and how you can solve it.

A lot of people coming from ministry lean into soft skills and likability. That’s valuable—but in interviews, it’s not enough. You need to shift the mindset: you’re not being hired because you’re nice; you’re being hired to fix a specific issue. You have to be able to say, “I’ve solved this problem before, and I can do it again for you.”

What are some common qualities you see in people who have spent their career in ministry that translate well to other industries?

Ministry work is complex. Pulling off a Sunday service is basically producing a weekly event, with high expectations and lots of moving parts. That takes project management skills, creativity, and execution.

Also, ministry leaders get a lot of feedback. That ability to take criticism without shutting down, to empathize and resolve issues? That’s a customer success goldmine.

And finally, relationship-building/sales. When you’re in ministry you guide people through relational funnels all the time: Someone comes in for the first time. You meet them. You get their phone number, you text them back, and you say, “Hope to see you here next week.” They keep coming. Maybe they start giving a little bit of money. You encourage them to get involved and volunteer. Maybe they become a donor consistently. Whether you like it or not, that's called a funnel.

If you had to describe your ideal team player, what would you say?

Someone humble. Someone who can say, “Help me get better.” I also love when people are proactive. The people who see a need before it becomes a problem and step in to help. That’s the person you want on your team.

One skill of an A-player that I learned the hard way is to match your communication style to your manager’s. I had a challenging experience in my second job because I didn’t do that. When I finally asked, “How do you want me to communicate with you?” everything changed. That five-minute conversation can completely transform your relationship with your manager.

Who’s one person who has made a transformative impact in your life? What characteristics do they have that make them unique and an A-player?

My former boss even though I only worked for him for a year. It was my best performance year ever. He cared about me as a person, not just an employee. He asked about my life, my marriage, my energy. He removed roadblocks, advocated for me, and made me feel like I mattered. That made me want to show up and give my best. It also shaped how I want to lead others.

If you could give one piece of advice to job seekers (especially those moving from ministry to marketplace), what would it be?

More people want to help you than you think, but you have to be clear about how they can help. If someone asks, “What do you want to do?” and you don’t have an answer, it’s hard for them to connect you to anything or anyone. So go into those conversations prepared. The clearer you are, the more people can show up for you.

And don’t be afraid to ask for help. In ministry, we’re used to being the helpers. But when you ask someone else to help you, that might be the most meaningful thing they do all week. You’re not being a burden, you’re inviting someone into something meaningful.

Also, focus on the metrics that matter. Applications don’t lead to offers, interviews do. If you’re applying to tons of jobs and not getting interviews, it’s time to change your strategy. Your goal isn’t to hit “apply” it’s to get an interview. That’s where things happen.

Thanks so much for sharing, Todd!

If you want to learn more about Todd or Launch Point, check out his LinkedIn here or the website here.