"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." - 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
Few pastors have the advantage of a mentor, trainer or coach. Many men simply sense the call of God on their life and then go to Bible School or Seminary to prepare them selves for ministry. Then they are called to a church and commence their ministry without the advantage of specific ministry disciplines and with little or no feedback on what they are doing. Is it any wonder that so many pastors fail and give up the ministry?
After 40 years of ministry as a pastor and missionary I look back on my ministries as wonderfully blessed times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. There were some very tough times and many struggles along the way, but in retrospect it was the disciplines of ministry that I learned from other men that made ministry tolerable, even fun.
I have modeled my ministry after several people from whom I learned some secret disciplines that have served me well. I want to deliberately pass along to other men some of those key disciplines.
I would love to be your coach and trainer, not because I am better than you, not at all. I want to be your mentor/trainer/coach because I want you to be better than I ever have been, and have advantages that I never had. Over my 40 years of ministry I have pastored five churches. Each of those churches grew and became healthy with the pews filled to capacity as we served among them.
I attribute those successes to God's grace and the faithful execution of disciplines I learned from great men, not the least of those is the discipline of prayer. I want you to have that same advantage.
As a Ministry Coach Dick conducts quarterly 2 ½ day clinics we call a spiritual "Ministry Base Camps" where we all learn, and relearn, essential spiritual and ministry disciplines that will shape our ministries for years to come. Whether you are a pastor just starting out in ministry, or a seasoned veteran who is weary from the burdens of ministry, these days will refresh and renew your calling.
It is a year-long training and accountability for developing specific spiritual disciplines and ministry disciplines but it is a tool for training pastors how to get God's vision for their church and how to implement and follow through on a strategic plan dictated by God himself. We will meet three times a year for 2 ½ days of intense training and time alone with God.
Here is what we will learn…
- Practical Ministry Habits - how to sharpen you ministry skills
- Catching the Vision - how to get a God-given vision for your church
- Prayer and Strategic Planning - get a viable 10 year ministry plan
- Effective Sermon Preparation - Preaching for results that last
Want to learn more? ...
More About Details of Our Coaching Plan
