I worked in a church for ten years before starting this degree, and I would be plenty happy to go back to church work if academia doesn’t work out.
My wife and I made a deal when I started my second masters degree that if I got into a PhD, we’d go there, but if not, we’d move somewhere and stay for several years. She doesn’t want to move again this summer and then move yet again next summer. Which is totally fair. Especially since we have two kids also. So this is kinda my shot. Turned out to be the worst possible year to be taking my shot but, such is life. I’ve been really happy with this particular degree, so even if this is as far as it goes, I’m really glad I did it.