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RE:Church

Life After the Pastorate: A Wife's Perspective

Monday, September 22, 2025 | Guest: Gretchen Fant and Sue Goodwill |

How long was the time from when your husband announced his retirement to the church until you left the church? What were some of the biggest practical changes you noticed right away after your husband stepped down from the full-time pastorate? Did you feel a sense of loss, freedom, or both? In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Marshall Fant discusses life after the pastorate with his wife, Gretchen, and Sue Goodwill. Sue Goodwill served as a pastor’s wife for 35 years, following her husband to three different churches. After retirement, Scott and Sue Goodwill began assisting churches through GFA’s interim pastors ministry. Gretchen Fant served as a pastor’s wife during the 21 years her husband replanted Harvest Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC. The Fants transitioned from that church to GFA, where Marshall Fant leads the interim pastors ministry and church-planting and revitalization efforts.

 

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About The Host

Dr. Marshall Fant

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Dr. Marshall Fant is focused on strengthening the American church through church consulting and revitalization, the interim pastor ministry, and church planting. Dr. Fant has 21 years of experience as a pastor and 20 years of experience as a business owner. Dr. Fant earned a D.Min. from Central Baptist Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Bob Jones University, and a B.S. in administrative management from Clemson University. He is certified as a church consultant with the Society for Church Consulting. He is available to meet with pastors and church leadership at their church or by phone. Marshall and Gretchen have been married since 1981 and have five grown children and twelve grandchildren.