Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) New Church Development Coaches Program
New Church Development Coaching Program
To start a church, YOU NEED MORE THAN INFORMATION; you need more than motivation. What you need is effective coaching! You need both insight and advice, delivered at the moment when it is needed the most during initial days of your church start. Our vision is also that every organizing pastor will have available a trained and qualified coach. Coaching can make the difference!
National studies done over the last 10 years reveal church planters who follow no specific training track and develop no plan have a 30% chance for the church to be functioning and viable five years later. Church planters who were trained, coached and develop a plan have an 89% chance for the church to be functioning and viable five years later.
The coaching program brings
experienced church development pastors
together with organizing pastors beginning new churches
Coaching is all about goals
The NCD coach is far more than a friend or support system for the pastor. An NCD coach’s primary commitment is helping the NCD achieve vision and goals agreed upon by the pastor, presbytery and lay leadership. Vision is understood to include:
- Core Values
- Behaviors
- Language
- Culture of the Congregation
- Potential ministries, target people groups, etc.
Once the vision is intact, with realistic and mutually shared goals, then the coach works with the pastor on strategies to reach and fulfill this vision. A coach will:
- Help clarify these goals,
- Reach agreements,
- Focus the pastor and leaders’ work on reaching the goals.
How does it work?
The coach will visit annually with the NCD pastor and leadership - both congregational and presbytery. Following this preliminary visit a contract or covenant is signed between the pastor, coach and presbytery. The coach will be in regular contact with the pastor discussing specific concerns, suggesting strategies and recommending resources.
When should a coach be engaged?
- Before you even begin. A coach can work with your team from the conception to develop a strategy and process for starting a new church.
- One an organizing pastor is called. Those early days can be tough, with one meeting, twelve people and an empty day planner. A coach can help create a productive workweek.
- Further along, when the new congregation faces a plateau,
- When staffing is getting started,
- When a building is being considered,
- At some other anticipated challenge a coach could help.
- If the goals are not being met, a coach can play an important role. In early assessment meetings you measure progress against projections and hopes. The coaching program opens up an array of options to help our NCD’s
To request a coach, or for further information about the coaching program, you may contact the Church Growth Office of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Call 888-728-722, ext. 5247, or e-mail Sherry Britton or Meredith Kemp-Pappan.
Coaching Covenant
Coaching Covenant -Download the standard coaching covenant for PCUSA NCD Coaches.
Who are our Coaches? (click on name to e-mail)
Edwin Andrade - Pastor, Nueva Rivera Presbyterian Church http://riversidechurch.com (Specializes in Hispanic Churches)
Sam Atiemo - Pastor, Bethel Presbyterian Reformed Church http://www.bethelpresbyreformedchurch.org (Specializes in Ghanaian Churches)
Dave Barton - Pastor, The Gathering at Windsor http://www.thegatheringatwindsor.org
David Boumgarden - Pastor, Riverglen Presbyterian Church www.riverglen.org
Daniel Beteta - Pastor, Mid Peninsula Hispanic Outreach Ministry http://www.latinosuc.com (Specializes in Hispanic Churches)
Rob Bromhead - Pastor, Centreville Presbyterian Church http://www.centrevillepres.com
Jerry Bron - Pastor, Southminster Presbyterian Church www.southminsterchurch.com, (Specializes in Suburban Churches)
Brian Clark - Pastor Riverside Presbyterian Church www.riversidechurch.com
Martin Concepcion- Pastor, Hammonton Presbyterian Church www.hammontonpres.org (Specializes in Hispanic Churches)
Doug Cushing - Pastor, Tyger River Presbyterian Church
Pam Driesell- Pastor, Oconne Presbyterian Church /www.opcusa.org
Jeff Eddings - Pastor, Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community www.hotmetalbridge.com (Specializes in Ecumenical, Emerging Churches)
John Haberlin - Retired Pastor (Specializes in congregations in difficult situations)
Ed Harding - Pastor, Prince George’s Community Presbyterian Church www.pgcchurch.org (Specializes in African American Churches)
Ray Jones - Pastor, Macland Presbyterian Church www.macland.org
Sandra Luciano- Pastor, El Buen Vecino http://www.elbuenvecino.com (Specializes in Hispanic Churches)
Nancy Marroquin - Pastor, Dripping Springs Presbyterian Church www.dspres.org, (Specializes in Suburban Churches)
Rick Gillespie-Mobley - Pastor, Glenville New Life Presbyterian Church www.glenvillenewlife.com (Specializes in Urban, African American Churches)
Dave Moore - Pastor, New Summit Presbyterian Church www.newsummit.org , (Specializes in Suburban Churches)
Lonnie Oliver - Pastor, New Life Presbyterian Church www.nlpconline.org
Gus Park- Pastor, Denver Hamni Presbyterian Church www.denverhanmi.org (Specializes in Korean Churches)
Jesus Perez
Eric Peterson - Pastor, Colbert Presbyterian Church www.colbertpres.org/,
Colin Pritchard - Pastor, First Presbyterian Church http://victorpres.org/ (Specializes in Emerging Churches)
Carlos Rivera Pastor, de La Iglesia Presbiteriana Nueva Vida (Specializes in Hispanic Churches)
Andrew Stephens - Pastor, The Village Presbyterian Church (Specializes in Urban African American Churches)
Jim Walker - Pastor Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community www.hotmetalbridge.com, (Specializes in Ecumenical, Emerging Churches)
Craig Williams - Director of Church Growth, Cascades Presbytery