The Five Seasons of a Minister’s Ministry:
How a Coach Can Help Pastors Thrive
As a church leader, you’ve dedicated yourself to your calling through prayer, education, support, training, and hard work. While taking action and staying active are essential, the most crucial question you can ask yourself is, “What should I do next?” Figuring out that first step is key, and that’s where a ministry coach can make all the difference.
A coach is like a caddy. He knows the course, the winds, the weather, the trees, bunkers, traps, rough, and boundary markers. He knows where the water is. And over time, the caddy learns the strengths and style of the golfer (you). You may want to hit the green in two, but the caddy knows it will take three strokes most of the time. The caddy is watching the player, watching the game, keeping track of the score, and learning the limits of the player.
In a sense, a caddy eliminates the element of surprise!
Five Seasons
In my experience as a coach, I’ve identified five critical seasons of ministry where working with a coach can be very valuable:
- Starting a New Work: As a new rector, you’re in an exciting “honeymoon period” filled with hope and potential. A coach helps you prioritize tasks, sort through options, and make the right decisions to maximize your impact in the first 18 months of your tenure.
- Tackling Big Projects: Launching major initiatives like a capital campaign, outreach program, new staff position, or church plant are defining moments. As the senior leader, you only get one chance to do them right the first time. A coach helps you determine what to do and in what order.
- Breaking Through a Plateau: When church growth and momentum have stalled despite your best efforts, a coach brings a fresh perspective, identifies underlying issues, develops new growth strategies, and reinvigorates your ministry.
- Ending on a High Note: If you’re nearing retirement, you face the crucial decision of how and when to leave well. A coach is a confidant and guide, helping you reflect on your journey, pray for wisdom about timing, plan a smooth transition, and maximize your impact in your remaining time as a leader.
- Planting a New Church: Starting a ministry from scratch is thrilling, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to do it all. A coach helps streamline your efforts and prioritize the most important tasks.
What Happens?
During our coaching calls, which typically occur twice a month via Zoom or phone, your agenda and priorities are the most important. We pray together, seeking the Lord’s insight and guidance, and then dive into what’s on your mind. My role is to listen, ask clarifying questions, and help you notice underlying issues or challenges.
I’m your best friend and biggest cheerleader when it comes to your ministry. I want you to succeed. I always tell leaders that my goal is the conservation of their energy and to help them discover options to move their ministry forward.
The men and women I work with have one thing in common: These leaders are all life-long learners. They want to grow and excel in their preaching, leadership, time management, or staff oversight. They are teachable and humble. They are serious about their ministry, and they want to be a solid, confident, and effective leader. They love the Lord, and they want to do their very best for him. I applaud them!
Many of them have coping mechanisms to manage conflict that are really conflict avoidance tactics, and they don’t work anymore. Some want to get some help with their budget, the preaching, a capital campaign, or a diocesan relationship.
Coaching is Always Free
While there is a fee for this coaching service, I’m confident that the value you receive will always pay for itself. The fee covers two one-hour calls per month and any additional support or conversation you need throughout the month. For example:
- One fellow sent me a draft of an important letter he needed to send to a member. I was happy to provide feedback.
- One time a pastor called to talk through a very sensitive staff problem.
- Recently a rector wondered how to discuss his financial compensation with his vestry without appearing greedy.
If you sign up with me, in a few months I believe you will see an increase of clarity, purpose, focus, and effectiveness in your ministry.
If you are interested, get in touch with me. We can talk it through. I’m thankful to have a group of leaders for whom I am their coach, and I’m happy to provide a reference. You can talk to them. Ask them. You will hear about their experience of being coached firsthand.
If this sound intriguing, please reach out to me. I have a few openings in my schedule and would love to help you thrive in whatever season of ministry you are in.
The Rev. David Roseberry, an ordained Anglican priest with over 40 years of pastoral experience, offers leadership services to pastors, churches, and Christian writers. He is an accomplished author whose books are available on Amazon. Rev. Roseberry is the Executive Director of LeaderWorks, where his work and resources can be found.
