Leaders need a healthy support system. And, it seems that pastors and ministry leaders might be uniquely challenged to find such support. Consider this from a recent article by Barna Research: 

“Recent research highlighted in Barna’s State of the Church initiative uncovers some concerning patterns: half of all pastors receive no professional support, and their lowest flourishing scores appear in areas where human connection matters most—relationships and well-being.”

The Barna research included mentors, advisors, coaches and counselors in their definition of support.  The relationships I have with leaders are a mix between coaching, counseling, spiritual direction, and mentoring.  It all depends on the person.  What I love about serving within Standing Stone is that I know I have a network of trained therapists, counselors, and spiritual directors I can call on if I sense that the leader I am meeting with needs more particular support.

Now, after doing this work for the past 18 months, I have found this to be true:  pastors, ministry leaders, non-profit leaders, and businesspeople need this support system.  

Cohorts!

Cohorts also provide support!  The two pictures above are from the last week.  The top one is the group of Sacramento-area pastors I have been meeting with for the past year. This is from our annual retreat on a night we went out to dinner together. Together with fellow Standing Stone staff member Kyle Waggoner, we meet monthly for sharing stories, leadership conversations, encouragement, challenge, and sharpening one another.

The bottom picture is from a new group that just began meeting last week.   Brian Dowd, founder of Next Step Coach and managing partner of The Barnabas Group, invited me to co-lead this group of younger parachurch leaders.  It’s called the “Rising Leaders” program, a new initiative aimed at helping equip the next generation of leaders already serving in ministries like Young Life, World Relief, Youth For Christ, and local homeless and recovery organizations.  

Recovery Update: With two kidney surgeries and two endoscopies behind me, I am feeling much better!  Thank you for your prayers and messages you sent while I was recovering.  

Fundraising Update: Thanks to a handful of new monthly donors, the generous ministry partner who offered to match the gift has matched those gifts, and says, “Keep going!”  He is still willing to match up to $175 more per month in new monthly gifts.  I had 24 people give a one-time gift in 2024, and I am contacting them to see about giving again in 2025.  If you are one of those people, would you consider giving a monthly gift that would be matched? Over 44% of my 2024 support came from one-time or annual gifts.  I have received nearly 40% of that so far in 2025. If you have not given yet, would you consider giving monthly to help reach the matching goal?  You are my support system!  THANK YOU FOR BEING MY SUPPORT SYSTEM!

I am serving with a ministry called Standing Stone, which has aimed for over twenty years to provide a space for free, confidential coaching and care for pastors, ministry leaders, and leaders of every sphere. Standing Stone believes that healthy leaders need companions on their leadership journey, and that healthy leaders will lead healthy organizations that help transform their communities. You can learn more here: https://standingstoneministry.org/shepherd/burke-david/