From the Seat to the Stage: How a Pastor Turned His Calling Into a Thriving Speaking Career
For nearly three decades, Arthur James has balanced two demanding roles as a pastor and a speaker. As a bi-vocational pastor, he’s spent years helping others avoid burnout and stay fulfilled in both ministry and life. But despite his experience behind the pulpit, his speaking career had reached a plateau.
He’d spent years speaking at events, often for free, but he wanted to take things further. “I’d gone as far as I could on my own,” Arthur said. “I wanted to start getting booked and paid.”
That’s when he discovered The Speaker Lab and the proven framework that would change everything.
A System That Made Growth Possible
Arthur wasn’t looking for inspiration; he was looking for structure.
What drew him to The Speaker Lab was its clear, repeatable process for building a speaking business. It wasn’t just about becoming a better speaker; it was about learning how to market, position, and book himself with confidence.
Of course, joining came with hesitation. After investing in other programs before, he questioned whether this one would truly deliver results and if he’d even have time to commit to it.
But once Arthur dove in, everything began to click. The clarity of defining his Expert Positioning Statement (EPS) gave him focus. Learning how to prospect consistently gave him momentum. And perhaps most importantly, his mindset shifted.
“It’s not about being discovered — it’s about being developed.”
That realization changed how he approached his entire business.
From Learning to Launching
Once Arthur started applying what he learned, the results followed fast. He built structure into his weeks dedicating specific time for outreach and business development. And instead of waiting for opportunities, he started creating them.
That commitment led to his first three back-to-back paid speaking gigs and even earning him a spot in The Speaker Lab’s Gig Getters Club.
Soon after, Arthur landed a defining opportunity: speaking at a national conference he’d attended just one year earlier as a guest.
“Last year, I was in the audience wondering what it would take to be on that stage. This year, I’m the one speaking on it.”
His book was featured in the conference bookstore alongside major names in his field — a powerful reminder of how far he’d come.
Living the “New Normal”
Today, Arthur runs his speaking business with rhythm and structure. He sets aside dedicated days for prospecting and follow-ups, continually refines his content, and keeps learning through The Speaker Lab Podcast and tools he’s discovered along the way.
“Every successful event builds confidence. Every time I apply the process, it proves itself again.”
What was once a dream has become a sustainable business; one rooted in clarity, consistency, and purpose.
Arthur’s Advice to Aspiring Speakers
Arthur now encourages others like pastors, authors, professionals to treat speaking as more than a hobby.
“If you want to take your speaking seriously, The Speaker Lab gives you the framework to do it. It’s not fluff — it’s practical, tested, and results-driven.”
And for those who want extra accountability and support, he highly recommends the VIP program that helped accelerate his success.
“The coaching made all the difference. I don’t think I’d have reached this level this quickly without it.”
Arthur’s story is proof that transformation doesn’t happen by chance. It happens with clarity, consistency, and the right system. The Speaker Lab helped him go from overextended pastor to confident, booked speaker; and his message is now reaching audiences nationwide.