Everyone needs coaching, including pastors. Sadly, the burnout rate in pastoral ministry is extraordinarily high, and with the average age of pastors in North America being their late fifties, not only do we need more men entering pastoral ministry, but we need more pastors staying, thriving, and enjoying leading a local church.
That’s why I’m excited to let you know about a new ministry I am part of alongside Dr. Mike McCormick called Pastor With Purpose. Pastor with Purpose exists to walk closely with pastors in the journey of ministry. As we began praying and designing this with Kevin Drake, the Executive Director of Upward Sports, we knew we wanted to be part of God meeting three needs:
1 - The information pastors need to be more effective leaders
2 - The transformation pastors want as they put that information into practice
3 - The restoration pastors deserve as they find a source of strength, stamina, and life change so they can stay in ministry for the long haul
Pastor with Purpose offers heartfelt coaching, guidance, and encouragement to help pastors lead well, grow personally, and care for themselves as they serve others. This is a community where pastors find the support and equipping they need to lead with clarity and purpose. Not only will they have a cohort of peers to connect with, but Mike and I also take turns providing weekly 90-minute coaching calls with the group, as well as three one-on-one calls over the course of 12 weeks. One of the benefits of these personal coaching calls is that they allow pastors to receive support in navigating current challenges within their church, whether they are facing growth pains, a crisis, or simply need wisdom and guidance.
Of course, we don’t just want pastors to walk away with more knowledge. We want them to find community, encouragement, and practical tools to help them thrive in life and ministry. Whether a pastor is seeking a fresh perspective, personal renewal, or a way to navigate the demands of ministry, Pastor with Purpose provides a supportive environment that empowers pastors to serve with confidence, resilience, and renewed purpose. And all of this is of no cost to pastors, thanks to Upward funding their participation through scholarships!
If there is a pastor you love and care about in your life, I hope you will share this opportunity with them. And if you are a pastor and know your life would benefit from this, you can find out more here. Our next cohort will start up in September 2026!