Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies · Kevin Elworth-Business & Ministry Coach, Passive Income, Entrepreneur Pastor, Ministry Marketing

082 - Goodbye Lies, Hello Life: Embracing Your True Identity in Christ with Jodi Goshorn

·39 min·1 clip

You have a calling on your life—don't fear your uniqueness. Speak Jesus in your workplace. Every Christian is called to minister, not just church leaders.

Kevin opens by introducing Jodi Goshorn and framing her book as something that can help pastors and the people in their churches understand her core message more clearly. Jodi is described as living in South Central Pennsylvania, surrounded by family, friends, and about 20 chickens. Her background includes a bachelor's degree in social work, a minor in missions, and early ministry years spent serving as a church planting missionary among an unreached people group in Thailand. Jodi recently published her first book, Goodbye Lies, Hello Life, and she says she wants believers to fully embrace their God-given identity. The conversation settles into that message quickly. Jodi describes discovering identity as a process that takes trust in God over time. She talks about surrender as central to that process. Pride has to loosen its grip. Vulnerability has to become possible even when it feels inconvenient. She explains that God gives opportunities that press on the places that need healing. One story centers on a team meeting where her idea was rejected. That moment became a turning point. She had to decide whether rejection would harden her toward people she trusted or open her to growth. Instead of pushing others away, she chose to welcome the feedback and let it shape her. Kevin follows that thread and names the tension between doing and surrendering. The discussion lands on the reality that many believers can get caught up in what they are presenting instead of what they are surrendering. The language stays personal and pastoral rather than theoretical. Kevin returns at the end to the promise of abundant life and encourages listeners to find Jodi online, grab her book, and leave a review after reading it. The episode closes with a clear sense that identity is not built through image management but through trust, honesty, and obedience.

As heard by us

A clear, pastoral conversation about surrender, identity, and the hard work of becoming honest.

It traces surrender, pride, vulnerability, and the search for God-given identity with a steady, pastoral tone. Jodi Goshorn speaks with plainness about letting go of what is presented, trusting God through the process, and staying open to feedback even when it stings.

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you need a nudge to stop performing and start surrendering.

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