We’re Expanding to Better Serve You

A pastor once said to me, “if you think you can be anything but a pastor, you probably should be.” Her words pointed to the reality that pastoral leadership can be grueling, taxing mentally, and emotionally exhausting. But it’s also wonderful.

When the realities of the day-to-day become burdensome, sometimes the only thing holding a leader to their ministry is a sense of vocational call.

At the Ministry Leadership Center, we know this firsthand because many of our staff are also on-the-ground ministry leaders just like you. We know what it’s like to navigate the challenges and joys in the Church today.

What We’ve Heard from You 

We spend hundreds of hours in conversation with you and other leaders around the country every year. Here are five themes we’re hearing. 

1. You desire training in areas you weren’t taught in seminary. This includes “soft skills” like how to effectively manage staff and volunteers, facilities management for aging buildings, finance, technology, and pastoral counseling. 
2. You’re often held to unrealistic expectations by your congregation and denomination. Nearly every leader we meet with desires for their faith community to grow numerically. You know how challenging that is in today’s religious climate, but the pressure to get back to 1950s attendance figures is immense.
3. Many of you feel a tremendous emotional and spiritual weight from leading in ministry. This is causing all-time high rates of burnout, stress, and even depression, especially with increasing demands and limited support. More of you than ever are considering leaving ministry altogether. 
4. You’re struggling to recruit, hire, and retain qualified staff. This is especially challenging with fewer people pursuing church leadership roles and budget constraints limiting salaries. We know high turnover and staff transitions cause their own stress and relational harm, too. 
5. You’re frequently functioning in the role of mediator to navigate conflict. Whether dealing with faith community members, leadership disputes, or broader community issues, this is draining. We know managing conflict is not why you became a pastor.

How We’re Growing to Support You 

Even amidst challenges, there is hope. 

Since our organization was founded in 2006, God has expanded our reach to support a wide range of leaders — from those working with children and youth, to college students, to pastors, and even entire congregations. In our organization’s new chapter, we’re expanding how we journey alongside churches like yours to address the challenges you face. 

Building on two decades of experience, the Ministry Leadership Center is developing new ways to walk with faith communities so your ministries can thrive and grow. 

For the first time, we’re offering church consulting services. Our consultants will walk with your faith community to identify vision, capitalize on the community’s strengths, and address problems so you and your ministries can flourish. Our approach is customized and focused on developing a healthier faith community and stronger leaders.

MLC’s staffing services will help your faith community find, recruit, and hire qualified leaders in youth, children’s, family, and college ministry. Our team will ensure you’re set up for success to hire a candidate who meets your context’s unique needs and hopes. 

To address skills areas we all wish were taught in seminary, we’re adapting our leadership workshop strategy to offer even more practical insights for your ministry. We’ll focus on topics like fresh approaches to stewardship, leading change, and measuring success in new ways. We’re also continuing to build new tools and resources that will equip you for vibrant ministry in your community.

Ministry today is challenging, but God’s people – including ministry leaders – have been here before.

In the midst of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness, Exodus 17 recounts a battle against the Amalekites. There’s a leadership lesson hidden in verses 11-12: “Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’s hands grew heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on either side, so his hands were steady until the sun set.” 

Like Moses, we know your hands have grown heavy. Our team at the Ministry Leadership Center is honored to support you and your faith community so God can continue transforming lives. Together, we can guide your faith community from where you are today to where God desires you to be in the future. 

Set up a free consultation to learn how we can help you grow your ministry with purpose and impact through our custom services and tools.