LEADERSHIP COACHING 61% of pastors today say they have no one to talk with about their personal lives and ministry.  Out of the 365,000 pastors in the US, 55,000 are in transition every year. That's 150-200 pastors a day dealing with change in a very real way!  Feeling alone during a life changing transition can be overwhelming.    Leading a ministry in any capacity can be an incredible challenge.  Daily, pastors face staffing issues, philosophical differences, budget constraints, leadership shifts/gaps, vision clouding, etc.  Many struggle to keep the balance of family and ministry.  Pastors face a very daunting task with a lack of support and encouragement needed to fulfill their calling.     A coach can help you refocus, meet a challenging ministry goal, reconnect with your passion for ministry, navigate a transition or bring balance to your life. A coach is like a personal trainer for anything you want to work on: a confidant, partner, and supporter who pushes you to grow faster and be your best. And a coach who works from a biblical values system and understands the leadership challenges you face makes a great partner. Check out CoachingPastors.com. Christian Coaching for pastors, Christian businessmen and ministry leaders, from certified coaches who know ministry. Want to transform your church? See how pastors are using coaching to catalyze change in their church culture. Congregational Coaching  by Jane Criswell Read how pastors are benefiting from a personal coach:  The Power of A Personal Coach  by Kevin Miller, Leadership Journal To find out more and "try" a free coaching session, give me a call (831) 438-0549 or e-mail. If you are wondering how to use a Life Coach click here.

EARN A SECOND INCOME As a pastor you may benefit from an extra stream of income.  In August of 2003 my wife and I were on vacation in Bend, Oregon when we were introduced to what I call "God's Vacation Surprise".  While golfing I happened to get paired up with a Christian Entrepreneur.  He found out that I was a pastor and shared with me how he had invested in a new ministry to help fund the ministry of pastors, missionaries, churches and Christian families.  I was interested until I heard it had to do with what he called "relational marketing".  I thought, "Oh no...not another phone company or vitamin pitch."  Unfortunately at the time my golf game was...well...bad.  I began blaming the constant dripping of the "sales pitch" about this new "opportunity" from my new golf buddy.  In fact, I hurried every shot on the last 3 holes just to get the game over!  The guy was adamant that I check out his website.  So, I promised him I would give it a glance and a week later I went online to see what he was so excited about.    What I saw was an amazing new concept that seemed...well...just too good to be true.  In short, I was told I could, "Own your own online Christian bookstore with over 158,000 books, bibles, music, videos, etc. and save 30% for life as well as develop passive income to fund your ministry efforts".  On top of that they were offering a $300 coupon good for two years. So I wondered... "what's the catch?".  I checked it out talked to the company Spread The Word but I had to think about it...discuss it...PRAY about it!  Yes, I too have the gift of skepticism. :)    I spend anywhere from $600-$900 dollars a year on books alone so for the price to open my own store ($315 for lifetime ownership) and the coupon they were offering...I couldn't loose.  My wife and I talked about it (at the time $315 was a bit of a stretch) and decided to do it.  Two weeks later I signed up for what has been one of better decisions I've made (check out our bookstore).  Within three weeks we had quadrupled (I think that's 4Xs) our $300 investment just by telling others within our ministry circle. We were blown away.  Not only did we get a great bookstore site as a resource to our consituents but we also made money...huh!!!   Later that year, we were asked to be a part of the Leadership Conference for Spread The Word based out of Phoenix, AZ.  They flew me out and we talked about the ministry, future plans and God's blessing...a wonderful time.  I was amazed at how God had put it on the heart of these successful business men (Tom Pittman & Steve Darrow) to start a ministry to financially build-up the Body of Christ nationwide.  A rare find indeed.  In addition, I'm in contact with believers from all over the country who are Spreading The Word and supporting one another. What I like about STW is that the funds go to the cause of Christ.  Unknowingly, Christians spend billions a year at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Borders, Costco, etc. only to benefit that company rather than a church, ministry, pastor, missionary, church planter or Christina family.   It's been a year and a half since we joined and the funds we receive from our bookstore has allowed us to pay for our Honda Pilot and the cost of insurance.  This allows me to travel for our ministry in a safe/reliable car and do what God has purposed in my heart to do.  That's the goal of Spread The Word, to use the resources (5 billion dollars a year) spent on Christian product and put it back into the work of the Kingdom.  Check out an actual snap shot of what we make with our little bookstore (Scroll down to the bottom of the page.).     Spread The Word is a great way to make income for you or your ministry and free you up financially to pursue your calling with greater focus.  You can always call or email me for the "rest of the story".      "My family and I were literally out of resources with our church plant. Spread The Word has enabled us to continue the ministry that we thought we were going to have to give up." ~Pastor Jim, Arizona (Jim is a church planter and earns a fulltime income from STW.)     "Spread The Word is the best-kept secret in Christ’s Kingdom – go out and tell somebody today that STW is here to help them, just like they have helped me." ~Pastor Ed, Oregon (Ed is a friend of mine who pastors a church in Portland.)