Coaching

 

I’m exhausted…
I just need space to breathe…
It’s all too much…
What if I can’t keep doing this…
If only they knew…

Yeah, friend. I hear you.

This is an unreal season to serve as a pastor. You need a unique kind of support. A voice that’s been where you’ve been who can create a holy space for your growth and care. Beloved, I would be honored to walk with you as Spirit does what Spirit loves to do in you, through you, and in spite of you.

A little bit about me.

 

Why i want to coach you

I adore pastors. Maybe it’s from growing up as a pastor’s kid or running around the hallways as a little kid at youth group. It could be the incredible pastoral colleagues who’ve become dear friends. It’s likely the 25+ years of serving church communities as a pianist, youth pastor, communications director, intern, associate pastor, lead pastor, co-pastor. You get the idea. Somewhere along the way, a unique love for pastors became a significant thread in my life. 

I’m on a mission to create space where pastors get to embody their humanity. Where they remember they are human too. There’s something about this profession that places pastors on a pedestal a little too close to God. I’ve seen firsthand how subtle and painful this becomes for a human simply trying to follow a call. The joy of serving quickly becomes heavy and unsustainable. There’s another way.

I want to live in the overflow of pastors fully alive. The ones in touch with their own inner work and transformation as they invite their congregations into the same work of following Jesus together. With many systems in our world under extreme shift and change, it’s essential that pastors have the supportive and sacred space needed to ask questions, get unstuck, explore their fear, and untangle the hang ups that distract leaders so they can intentionally lead their communities in this pivotal moment.

I love coaching because of the fluidity of support I provide. In one call, we can shift from coaching to mentoring to spiritual direction and soul care, depending on what you most needs that day. Life is messy and so is leadership. Sometimes we’re lonely and our hearts need a little support. Sometimes we’re stuck on a tricky relationship issue and need good questions to get us moving forward. Sometimes we know what needs done but we’d love a few ideas from someone who's been there. I’ve got you.  

Pastoring is difficult and a holy privilege. If you’re looking for support as you engage this call, I would be absolutely honored to create space for your growth and transformation.

 

What might we explore?

You set the agenda. Each session, you bring what you want to address and work through. Some sessions, we may journey through 3-4 things you’re holding or we could spend the whole hour on one complex topic.

  • Goal setting 

  • Navigating tough situations

  • Sabbath practice

  • Vision discernment

  • Boundaries

  • Identifying your values and priorities 

  • System change in local church

  • Navigating issues with people

  • Discernment of call

  • Soul care

  • Time management

  • Reconnect with your purpose and passion

Our goal is for you to leave each session with clarity and clear next steps.

 
 

Investing in you

Our initial meeting will be a 30 minute session. Here, we design our partnership, establish goals, and I learn more about you and what you want from our work together. In subsequent sessions, we will work together for 60 minutes. 

My coaching fee is $100 a session. Many pastors invest in coaching from a professional expense account if available. We will choose a regularly scheduled time that will work for both of us and then vary it as necessary. You may choose to meet monthly or twice a month.  A four-month commitment is requested. This is not a binding amount of time but rather an intentional choice to stay through the process even when a dip is felt in energy or momentum.

 

This is the dream…

Most of all, we are people
who move through life with open palms.
We are surrendering our control
over people and plans.
We are learning to let go of
agendas and manipulation and fear.
We are leaders who are dancing
in the truth that the pressure is off.
The rule book has been thrown out.
We know we’re not in charge anymore.
We’ve given our lives to listening
to the One who will take us
Where we need to go.

And it turns out,
it’s where we wanted to go the whole time.

Read the rest of the Manifesto for a Palms Up Leader.