“Transitions are like moving to a new house—you take time to let go of the old junk, grieve what’s no longer needed, and make space for what’s next.” — Tyler Zach
Tyler Zach’s journey spans nearly two decades of ministry leadership as a campus minister, church planter, and pastor. But when life circumstances demanded change, Tyler stepped into the unknown—prioritizing his family, leaning into his work as an Enneagram coach, and reimagining his calling.
In this episode, Tyler shares:
👉 Why seasons of transition often uncover hidden motivations.
👉 How the Enneagram can guide us to deeper self-awareness and clarity.
👉 Practical insights for each Enneagram type during times of change.
👉 The importance of untethering identity from roles, titles, and success.
If you’re wrestling with grief, identity, or what comes next, this conversation is for you.
From Campus Ministry to Pastoral Leadership: A Life of Momentum
“I’ve always been a starter—jumping into new roles, leading ministries, planting churches. But now, looking back, I ask: How much of what I did was truly my calling, and how much was me stepping into someone else’s vision?”
Tyler reflects on his 18-year journey as a campus minister and pastor. Fueled by ambition and a desire to achieve, his leadership trajectory was marked by growth, movement, and success. But amid the pace, cracks began to surface.
“I was turning 40, and I realized: If my family is going to flourish, something has to change. I couldn’t keep leading in a way that cost me my marriage, my kids, and my presence at home.”
Navigating Conflict, Clarity, and Letting Go
Tyler’s decision to step out of full-time ministry didn’t come without tension. Conflict with a co-leader, challenges with church culture, and a desire to support his wife and sons (one of whom is on the autism spectrum) pushed him to a breaking point.
“When my 6-year-old son said, ‘Dad, I don’t want you to be a pastor anymore,’ I knew it was time to reprioritize.”
Tyler reflects on a pivotal moment during a day of solitude:
“I picked up Hero on a Mission by Donald Miller, and he asked a question that shook me: How do you want to spend the next 30 years? I realized I couldn’t keep doing what I was doing—it wasn’t sustainable.”
How the Enneagram Helps Us See What We Need to Let Go
The Enneagram is more than a personality tool—it’s a framework for uncovering our motivations, defenses, and unconscious patterns that keep us stuck.
Tyler describes it this way:
“We’re like acorns with hardened shells. Seasons of transition crack us open—forcing us to let go of the lies, masks, or walls we’ve built so we can grow into who we’re meant to become.”
Insights for Each Enneagram Type During Transition
Tyler walks through how each Enneagram type navigates change—and where they can grow:
Type 8 (The Challenger):
Tendency: Push through transitions, powering forward without reflection.
Growth Tip: Move to Type 5—pause, withdraw, and reflect before charging ahead.
Type 9 (The Peacemaker):
Tendency: Numb out, avoid change, or stay stuck in sameness.
Growth Tip: Move to Type 3—take intentional action to move forward.
Type 1 (The Perfectionist):
Tendency: Feel anger at others or themselves for not “doing it right.”
Growth Tip: Move to Type 7—embrace spontaneity and new opportunities.
Type 2 (The Helper):
Tendency: Overcommit to helping others, often neglecting their own needs and feelings in the process.
Growth Tip: Move to Type 4—slow down, reflect on your own emotions, and engage in self-care. Focus on hobbies or creative outlets that fill your cup.
Type 3 (The Achiever):
Tendency: Overwork and strive for external validation, masking feelings of shame or failure.
Growth Tip: Move to Type 6—lean into loyal relationships and trusted mentors who can help you process doubts and insecurities. Embrace honesty over image.
Type 4 (The Individualist):
Tendency: Get stuck in their emotions, feeling broken, flawed, or disconnected from others.
Growth Tip: Move to Type 1—build structured rhythms and routines into your life. Create consistency to help guide you forward and balance emotional depth with action.
Type 5 (The Investigator):
Tendency: Withdraw into their own minds, overthink decisions, and avoid seeking support from others.
Growth Tip: Move to Type 8—put the drawbridge down and invite trusted people into your world. Take bold steps toward action, even if it feels uncomfortable.
Type 6 (The Loyalist):
Tendency: Experience low-grade anxiety, overprepare for worst-case scenarios, or cling to safety nets.
Growth Tip: Move to Type 9—practice cultivating peace and inner calm. Slow down and allow yourself to rest in trust, rather than trying to solve everything at once.
Type 7 (The Enthusiast):
Tendency: Avoid pain and difficult emotions by staying in constant motion or seeking the next adventure.
Growth Tip: Move to Type 5—slow down, reflect, and sit with difficult emotions. Resist the urge to distract yourself and use this time for meaningful soul-searching.
Untethering Identity from Roles and Success
Leaving ministry often comes with grief, loss, and questions of identity. Tyler shares candidly:
“I used to feel like I had to be the most faithful person in the room. That temptation to perform, to wear a mask, kept me from exploring doubts and being honest.”
For Type 3s like Tyler, untethering identity from roles is hard—but freeing:
“Wearing a mask might get you applause, but it’s a cheap substitute for intimacy. You’re loved not because you’re perfect but because you’re human.”
The First Step for Anyone Feeling Stuck
Tyler’s advice for anyone in transition?
“Find a safe person or place to talk. Whether it’s a friend, a counselor, or a support group—find someone who can mirror back love and acceptance as you process doubts, grief, or next steps.”
Final Thoughts: The Fruit of Doing the Hard Work
Transitions are opportunities to pause, reflect, and shed what’s no longer serving us. But the work isn’t easy—it can feel like death before growth.
“The fruit I’m experiencing now is because of decisions I made five years ago. It’s worth it. Do the hard work, and let God use the season to grow you.”
Where to Connect with Tyler Zach
- Free Resources: tylerzach.com/free
- Enneagram Devotionals: Gospel For Enneagram
- Instagram: @gospelforenneagram
Listen to the full episode above—and share this conversation with anyone navigating their own season of change. You’re not alone.
Everything just changed, now what?
In a season of transition, it’s hard knowing what to do next. Finding Your Way to Flourishing is your free guide to crafting your Next Step Statement so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.