Why I Stepped Away From Full-time Ministry
Over the past several weeks, we’ve had a lot of conversations that start with the same question:
“So… what’s next?”
If you’ve heard a whisper of change in our lives and ministry, you’re not wrong. But before I go any further, let me say this up front: We’re not going anywhere.
We’re staying right here in Fargo. Our family is still planted at Northview Church. We’re still raising our kids in this beautiful, life-giving community. And we’re as committed as ever to the vision that Pastor Dave and Alissa are leading Northview toward.
This blog is my way of answering the questions people have been asking:
Why did I step away from full-time pastoral ministry?
What am I stepping into now?
And how can we stay connected in this new season?
So if you’re curious, or if you’re just cheering us on from afar, here’s the full story.
We’re Still Here — And So Grateful
While I may no longer be on staff in a full-time role, Northview is still our home. We love our church deeply, and we believe in what God is doing through this community. I’ll continue to serve in many of the same ways I have in the past — hosting on Sundays, teaching Growth Track, occasionally teaching at NVLC, leading a life group, and finding new ways to support the mission of helping people know Jesus and follow Him fully.
We’re raising our kids here. We’re worshiping here. We’re living life in community with some of the best people we know. And we’re beyond grateful.
We’re grateful for Pastor Dave and Alissa, for their leadership and friendship. We’re grateful for the relationships we’ve developed with the NVC team. We’re grateful for our NVC church family. We’re grateful for the past few years of ministry and all of the amazing people we’ve met through Alpha, Growth Track, and NVLC.
As we reflect on these last few years, we are filled with gratitude. We will always cherish this season of ministry.
Why the Change?
One of the most common questions we've received is: "What led to this?"
The answer isn’t a dramatic one — it’s not about something going wrong. It’s about something growing. This transition wasn’t sudden, and it certainly wasn’t reactionary. It’s been a slow and prayerful process of listening, discerning, and responding to what God has been doing in us over time.
Back in 2019, when we stepped away from Chi Alpha and moved to the East Coast to serve with the AO1 Foundation, we sensed we were entering a new chapter of our calling. The words from Abraham’s call in Genesis 12 — “Go to the place I will show you” — became a quiet anthem in our hearts. We didn’t have all the details, but we knew God was stirring something new. In many ways, that was a first step in this stretching adventure we continue to find ourselves on.
It was during that time that the seeds of what I’m stepping into now were first planted — a desire to write, to speak, to create tools and resources that help people live with greater intentionality and depth. The dreams were there, waiting patiently in the background, as we stayed faithful to each season we found ourselves in.
We moved back from New Jersey at the same time Pastor Dave was being named lead pastor at Northview. I was able to come on staff part-time when Pastors Dave and Alissa started leading Northview and it has been an honor to be a part of everything God has been doing since the transition. Ever since I was 18, Northview has been my church and I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve on staff. On top of that, Pastor Dave was my small group leader as a freshman and played a significant role in my discipleship journey.
In 2022, my employment with the AO1 Foundation came to an end, which sparked an opportunity to come on staff full-time as the Discipleship Pastor. In the conversations leading up to me accepting the position, we had honest conversations about our dreams and our future. However, we were fully committed to Northview and felt that God was opening a door for us to step into a full-time role, especially as our church continued to grow and develop rapidly.
The last few years have been an incredible gift. I’ve loved serving as a Discipleship Pastor — overseeing Life Groups, Alpha, NVLC, Water Baptism, Young Adults, and the Welcome Team, and playing a part in so many moments that have shaped our church: Fight Night, Rhythm Conference, Team Conference, Intentional Parenting, Marriage Night, and more. Many of our closest friends are people we have met over these last three years of ministry.
And now, after months of prayer and discernment, it’s simply become clear: it’s time.
The pull toward those background dreams has grown stronger. The book is nearly finished. New opportunities are opening up. And the sense of clarity around our long-term calling has never been more sure.
I’ve come to believe that being a pastor isn’t just a position to hold — it’s a posture to live.
Over the last decade, I’ve held a variety of roles in churches, ministries, and non-profits, and in each of them, I’ve seen my pastoral calling take form in new ways. That calling hasn’t changed — if anything, it’s grown deeper. This isn’t leaving ministry; it’s continuing to live out my calling — just in a new way.
What I'm Doing Now
This new season is both deeply exciting and incredibly meaningful. On one hand, I’ve stepped into a new consulting role with Valley Christian Counseling & Wellness — an organization that’s been close to our family’s heart for years.
I’m now overseeing marketing, social media, and church partnerships for Valley. I believe in what Valley does — helping people pursue mental, emotional, and spiritual health through Christ-centered care. Taylor has been working in admin at Valley for a majority of our marriage and as a pastor I have seen the impact of Valley in our community firsthand. As a pastor, I saw the need for this every week and referred people to Valley often. I’ve personally experienced the impact of counseling there and our family has benefited firsthand through resources like occupational therapy for our son.
Fun fact: While I’ve spent over a decade in pastoral ministry, I actually earned my undergraduate degree in Communications — with a focus on Public Relations and Advertising. Throughout the years, I’ve led communication efforts in many of my roles and have managed social media both personally and professionally. In many ways, this opportunity feels like a full-circle moment — blending my ministry experience, creative passion, and communication background to support a mission I deeply believe in.
Now I get to help build bridges between the Church and these vital resources. I believe this is ministry — and I believe Valley is an extension of the local church. It’s an honor to help tell that story. You can learn more about Valley at valleychristian.co.
Knowing the dreams we had been carrying, Taylor and I had been prayerfully navigating our next steps, sensing a deep conviction and growing pull to step more fully into writing, speaking, and developing resources that help people live with greater intentionality and purpose. We were seeking clarity — asking God not just if, but when and how to move forward.
It was in that very season of prayer that Valley reached out to begin a conversation. They had a significant need, and they saw a way I could help. What they offered was a mutually beneficial opportunity — a role that would allow me to serve their mission while giving our family the margin to walk more fully into ours. It was the perfect combination of stability and flexibility, and it felt like God’s timing in every way.
And one of the things I’m most grateful for is that this role also gives me the flexibility to begin pursuing some of the dreams that have been in our hearts for years — dreams that are now stepping into the foreground.
The Dreams Are Moving to the Foreground
Because of this new flexibility, I have more space to bring some long-held dreams to life.
My book, Everyday Adventure, is officially finished and in the hands of an editor. I'm currently working with designers and hope to release it by the end of the year. This is a project I’ve been working on for nearly a decade and it is surreal to be at this point. I’m so excited for you to read it in the near future!
I’ve been creating resources that help individuals, couples, and families live more intentionally — things like our Monthly Marriage Meeting Guide, Year-End Reflection Guide, and more.
I’m beginning to develop workshops, online courses, retreats, and physical products centered around intentional living, healthy rhythms, family, and faith. Keep your eyes open for some exciting updates over the next few months.
Over the last several years, I’ve loved every opportunity I’ve had to speak at retreats and conferences. It’s been life-giving to encourage and equip people through teaching — whether in large gatherings or intimate small group environments. In this new season, I’m looking forward to stepping more intentionally into speaking opportunities — including churches, retreats, conferences, staff trainings, and beyond. If you’re interested in having me speak or learning more about the topics I teach on, you can find more info here.
This isn’t a career move — it’s a calling. We believe God is leading us into a season of building, dreaming, and creating… and we’re all in.
Let’s Stay Connected
Whether you’re a friend, a church leader, or just someone curious about what’s ahead, we’d love to stay connected.
Here’s how:
Follow along on Instagram: @stephenglasser — I post almost daily with updates, reflections, and ridiculous reels.
Subscribe to my newsletter: stephenglasser.com/tuesletter — This is the best way to hear about the book release, new resources, and future opportunities.
Listen to the podcast: I recently shared more of the heart and process behind this transition on Episode 80 of The Going Somewhere Podcast — check it out if you want to hear more of the story in my own words.
Thank you for cheering us on and walking with us in every season. We believe the best is ahead — and we’re grateful to be walking it out with you.
Here’s to the next adventure.
