Ernest Smith & Ben Pilgreen
The Importance of Coaching & Mentorship in Church Planting
About The Episode
“If you feel like you have to choose, choose your family.” Coaching plays a crucial role in the success of your leadership. Today, we’re hearing from Ben Pilgreen and Ernest Smith as they discuss the ways coaching impacted more than the health of their churches…it has contributed to the health of their families.
Welcome to Episode 027 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.
Insights From Ernest & Ben
NUANCES OF CHURCH PLANT LOCATIONS
- Prayer played a huge role in Ben’s choice to move to San Fransisco.
- Moving somewhere impacts the church, but it also impacts the family.
- We all have capacity/wiring/personality; Ben’s family committed to give up everything except a thriving marriage and thriving marriage.
- The diverse culture is a plus.
- Ben’s family has had the opportunity to be among people of all walks of life.
- Make your home a refuge, a safe place.
FINISHING THE RACE
- Paul finished the race.
- Do we even know what race we’re in?
- If we were to hit a target, what would that be?
- Family loving the Lord and loving the Church
- What does “finishing well” look like for you?
- If you feel like you have to “choose,” choose your family.
- How are you going to show that your family is first?
COACHING
- Coaching is an unfair advantage!
- A coach is outside of your situation, but they have probably been through the same and overcome similar obstacles.
- Conferences are great, but a coach speaks into your specific situation.
- Where do you start?
- Start with people in your life – Free
- Know what questions to ask
- Once you know what to ask, know who you should ask those specific questions to
- Cohorts are invaluable
- Tips on being coached
- Know what question to ask
- Ask them ahead of time
- Then listen
Episode Links
Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
Who is Ernest Smith?
Ernest Smith didn’t grow up in the church, but when he was finally introduced to Jesus, he has sought to serve the Church ever since. He was on staff at Seacoast Church for over 15 years, where he led many ministries including Students, Family Ministry, College Ministry and Campus Pastor. In addition, Ernest was on the teaching team and a part of the executive team. During this same time, Ernest completed two master’s degrees and started his Doctorate of Ministry at Liberty University, which he finished in 2019. In 2013, Ernest and his family moved from Charleston, SC to Castle Rock, CO to start Front Range Church. Ernest has the honor of serving as the lead pastor of Front Range and getting to lead a great team of staff and volunteers toward reaching and impacting the community. He also serves as president of a mission’s organization called Bread of Life Mission and is an associate at The Slingshot Group. He has a great passion to help church leaders and teams establish healthy rhythms, create, and execute vision and develop leaders that will impact their ministry, church and community. Ernest has been married to his best friend, Sara, for 20 years and together they have two incredible kids, Wyatt and Waverly. In addition, their house is inhabited by a Yorkie (Pearl) and a French Bulldog (Winston). Together, the family loves to travel, play games and cheer on the Georgia Bulldogs.
Who is Ben Pilgreen?
Ben Pilgreen is the founder and lead pastor of Epic Church in San Francisco, CA. Ben loves coaching leaders, whether in church or in business. Ben is the host of the Bring It Out podcast. Ben and his wife, Shauna, have four wonderful children and make their home in San Francisco. Read more at benpilgreen.com.
Sponsors
Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.
A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you’re ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!
Our goal with the Ascent Leader and our church planting cohorts is to help church planters win early and finish strong. We want to resource you so that you can avoid common pitfalls and simple mistakes. Being involved in a community of leaders like our church planting cohorts is one of the best ways to wrestle through these questions. We’re here to help you, if we can be of assistance to you please feel free to reach out.
Contact our team: ops@theascentleader.org
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