The Life of a Pastor
Many Pastors joyfully embrace their calling. Love for God, people and a burden for those far from Jesus create passion and drive for mission. Yet, ministry is extremely challenging. The weight of crafting a weekly sermon, pastoral care, organizational leadership and staff management can and sometimes do feel overwhelming.
Staff and Non-Vocational leaders feel the weight of ministry demands too. Scheduling volunteers, ongoing weekend responsibilities, ministry planning and administration combined with pay and praise that sometimes fall short of what is needed and desired are all heavy weights.
Who leads the leaders? Who Pastors the Pastors?
Pastor and Ministry Leader vitality happens best in community, not in isolation. No one should Pastor alone.
Resourcing those who minister to the local Church
Pastoral Cohorts – each month ministry leaders and pastors gather to encourage and equip each other in their common tasks.
Lunch and Learn Events – on a quarterly basis the NBA offers gatherings focused for equipping ministry practitioners in their roles. Topics vary by month, all are welcome to attend.
Ministry Leaders Networks – peer learning and networking offer some of the best support for those engaged in day to day ministry. Several ministry networks meet for idea sharing and problem solving.
Encouragement for the wife of a ministry leader – ministry is a blessing, yet it can be challenging. Our Ministry Wife Encouragement team serves to provide specific, practical and helpful encouragement to the spouse of ministry leaders. Are you the spouse of a ministry leader? Connect with our encouragement team.
Support and Care – there are seasons when focused attention and care are absolutely necessary for ministry leaders experiencing exhaustion or crisis. We have partnerships with Christian Counselors, Ministry Coaches and other helping professionals. In some cases those resources are offered a no to low cost. Contact us if you need assistance.
Pastor Cohorts
Liberty Church Network Pastor’s lunch
Judson Baptist Church hosts a local branch of the Liberty Church Network. LCN is a ministry whose goal is to encourage pastors in their disciple-making work. Judson invites senior pastors to join us on the last Wednesday of the month for a time of prayer, encouragement, fellowship, and lunch. It’s free to attend. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
Southeast Nashville Pastors’ Breakfast
The Southeast Pastors’ Breakfast is a gathering of pastors who want to be friends. We believe that pastors often neglect finding space to cultivate friendship as we face the joys and frustrations of leading the local church. All are welcome. We meet 8am-9:30am on the 2nd Tuesday of most months in Smyrna, LaVergne or Nolensville. Contact [email protected] for current meeting schedules. This group alternates venues between:
Church Planters at Grace Community Church
Planters at Grace Community meet regularly on the 1st Wednesday of the month. from 12:00-2:30pm, in the Conference Room at Grace Community Church. Bring your own lunch. Contact: 
[email protected]
