Lead Pastors Only
Space to think clearly. Support for the work ahead.
Leading a church brings decisions that deserve time, perspective, and a thoughtful conversation. Lead Pastors Only supports pastors as they consider their next steps.
What is in front of you?
A decision that needs clarity
Make room to consider the options, responsibilities, and next steps.
A team that needs alignment
Explore expectations, communication, and the work you need to lead together.
A season of change
Think through a transition with attention to your role and the people affected.
A healthier way to lead
Reflect on the habits and boundaries that make sustained leadership possible.
Begin with a conversation
Tell us what you are exploring
A short message about the kind of support you have in mind.
Talk about fit
Discuss whether coaching fits the work ahead.
Agree before beginning
Settle the purpose, scope, and next step before anything starts.
For the people supporting the pastor
An elder board can help make room for growth. Start with a shared purpose, include the pastor in the conversation, and agree on what progress and privacy will look like.
Explore support for your pastorMeet Dr. David W. Miller
Dr. David W. Miller leads the coaching at Lead Pastors Only. He is based in California.
About DavidUseful before you ever reach out
A conversation guide for elders considering pastoral coaching
How a board can open the subject of coaching with its pastor respectfully, with a printable five-question worksheet.
Read the guide Lead pastorsFive questions to bring to an introductory coaching conversation
What to ask in a first conversation with a coach, why each question matters, and space to write your own priorities.
Read the guide Lead pastorsChoosing a useful focus for the next season of leadership
A five-step way to turn a recurring leadership question into one manageable action and a review date, with an illustrative example.
Read the guideCommon questions
Who is this for?
Lead pastors exploring support, and church leaders considering how to support their pastor.
Can our board begin the conversation?
Yes. Share your own role and the broad kind of support you are exploring. The pastor takes part in deciding what happens next.
What happens after I reach out?
Your message is reviewed so we can identify an appropriate next step and reply to you.
What is shared with a sponsoring board?
The sharing agreement is set before coaching begins, among the pastor, the coach and the board. Session conversations are not reported to a board by default.
Are there fees?
Scope and fees are discussed before any engagement begins, so everyone knows the arrangement up front.