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NEXT Coaching Networks help pastors overcome discouragement, isolation
LifeWay Research reveals that most Southern Baptist pastors agree it is easy to get discouraged in ministry.
An online survey conducted by LifeWay Research in March 2008 revealed that 67 percent of Southern Baptist pastors somewhat or strongly agree that it is easy to get discouraged in their personal ministry.
Agreement that their own ministry can be discouraging is true regardless of the size of the church and among most age groups of pastors. Pastors age 60 and older are less likely to be easily discouraged, yet 48 percent of them still agree that discouragement easily enters their ministry.
The weight of leadership can at times feel heavier than a pastor can bear.
“Discouragement and loneliness are common among pastors today, but this is not a new phenomenon,” said Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research. “The apostle Paul’s letters to pastors and church planters in the New Testament are filled with encouragement and exhortation to stand firm and endure.
“In response to this research,” Stetzer continued, “LifeWay sought to find a way to encourage pastors and help them avoid the perception that they are isolated. To deliver this encouragement in the most effective way for pastors, we looked at the methods being used today, and the answer was clearly coaching networks.”
LifeWay, in partnership with NEXT Networks, has launched a coaching network system for lead pastors around the country. Networks consist of 10-12 lead pastors who meet once a month for six months and are led by an experienced pastor-practitioner. Each session is driven by a learning agenda but flexible enough to deal with immediate pressure points all lead pastors experience.
NEXT Networks Director and Founder Ron Sylvia is lead pastor of Church at The Springs in Ocala, Fla. Several years ago, he attended a meeting with a high-level business owner in his church.
“I observed as 12 Christian men prayed, learned and shared life’s burdens with each other,” Sylvia recalled. “They counseled and challenged each other in business from a biblical perspective.
“As I sat, a silent visitor, one thought echoed in the halls of my heart: We need this for pastors. We need a network, a safe place, to share and learn. We need coaches who have been where we are in ministry. We need a coaching network!”
The next year Sylvia piloted a coaching network for pastors at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. Since then, the ministry has expanded to include many experienced pastors who have coached more than 350 pastors.
“We designed the curriculum to develop leadership in pastors,” Sylvia explained, “but the added benefit is these networks became deep relationships.”
The survey conducted by LifeWay Research revealed that as pastors face ministry challenges, they often feel as if they are doing so alone. The survey, which polled 801 Southern Baptist pastors, found that 53 percent of pastors agree with the statement, “Ministry in a church this size makes me feel lonely at times.” Seventeen percent strongly agree.
“Ministry can feel like a thankless profession,” said Paul Castelli, pastor of Crosspoint Church in Spring Hill, Fla. “People are constantly in need. [They] always let you know when they are unhappy and when you’ve let them or their family down. But they seldom encourage, uplift or minister to pastors.”
Castelli said that being involved in a NEXT Coaching Network gave him “fresh perspective and insight” into his ministry as well as provided much-needed support.
“Knowing that I had a group of pastors who shared the burden I carried and could relate to where I was at the moment was refreshing,” Castelli said. “NEXT Coaching Networks gave me the outlet to be open and honest with where I was and what I was dealing with. If I needed advice, I got it. If I needed to be lifted up, I was prayed for. If I needed an attitude check, I got that too.”
Three types of networks are offered: one designed for those launching new churches; one for pastors ready to advance their churches; and one for strategic leadership.
“Healthy pastors lead healthy churches,” Sylvia said. “Our goal is simple: No pastor should be left behind. It’s time to wipe out the isolation epidemic.”
Networks launched in the spring, and new networks will continue to launch near major cities. Get more information about the networks at www.NextCoachingNetworks.com.
LifeWay Research conducted the online survey in March 2008. Southern Baptist pastors who had previously agreed to receive survey invitations were e-mailed the invitation to participate. The sample of 801 pastors provides 95 percent confidence that sampling error does not exceed ±3.4 percent.
