Pastoring Pastors: Cultivating a Culture of Disciplemaking

When I became a believer in college, I never imagined I would one day pastor pastors. But over the years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside more than 100 pastors, learning that each one is unique. Their journeys, struggles, and callings vary, which means pastoring them requires deep reliance on the Holy Spirit rather than a rigid formula. More than anything, I’ve learned that supporting pastors means equipping them to be disciplemakers.

Seeing the Need

My passion for pastoring pastors began when I saw my own pastor struggling. I wanted to help but didn’t know how. That experience planted a seed in me, and over time, God grew it into a calling. Eventually, I became a pastor myself—a role I’ve now held for more than 40 years.

Pastoring is demanding. The weight of shepherding people spiritually while navigating leadership challenges can take a toll. Unrealistic expectations—from within and from congregations—can lead to burnout. Having lived this reality, I now dedicate a significant part of my ministry to walking with other pastors, helping them shift their focus from managing church operations to making disciples.

A Relational Approach to Disciplemaking

Through pastors’ retreats, luncheons, and one-on-one relationships, I mentor six to twelve pastors at a time. I meet with some in small groups and others individually. But regardless of the format, my goal is the same: to encourage and equip them to be disciplemakers who, in turn, create disciplemaking cultures in their churches.

My early discipleship training with The Navigators instilled in me the importance of Life-to-Life® ministry—walking alongside people and equipping them for spiritual growth. But I’ve also learned that my approach must be as varied as the pastors themselves. I hold my plans loosely, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide each conversation.

Helping Pastors Make Disciplemaking the Core Mission

Mentoring a pastor begins before our first meeting. I start with prayer—checking my own heart, asking God for wisdom, and preparing to listen. My priority is always to encourage them to be disciples who make disciples, but their immediate concerns must be heard first.

Many pastors don’t readily share their struggles. Trust must be built first. Sometimes, that happens through humor, shared experiences, or simply listening well. Once trust is established, real conversations begin. I ask questions like:

• Where do you see your church’s disciplemaking efforts right now?
• Where do you want to see them in the next one to three years?
• What’s getting in the way?

These questions open the door for honest dialogue. Rather than applying a generic strategy, I seek to help pastors develop disciplemaking approaches that fit their unique church context. The Navigators Church Ministries has excellent tools for this, but they must serve the pastor and church—not the other way around.

Practical Steps for Pastors to Prioritize Disciplemaking

To help pastors make disciplemaking their church’s heartbeat, I guide them through these actionable steps:

1. Model It First – A disciplemaking culture starts with leadership. If pastors don’t intentionally disciple a few people, their churches won’t follow suit. I challenge them to invest deeply in a few, just as Jesus did.
2. Focus on Relationships Over Programs – Churches often mistake events for disciplemaking. I help pastors shift from running programs to fostering intentional relationships that lead to transformation.
3. Equip Others to Lead – Disciplemaking shouldn’t rest solely on the pastor’s shoulders. I encourage pastors to train and release leaders who will multiply the work.
4. Measure What Matters – Many churches track attendance and giving but fail to measure spiritual multiplication. I help pastors assess disciplemaking progress—who is growing, who is discipling others, and how the culture is shifting.
5. Make It Simple and Reproducible – Overcomplicating disciplemaking kills momentum. I work with pastors to create a process that’s clear, sustainable, and easy to replicate.

Leading at the Right Pace

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made is offering solutions too soon. I get excited about disciplemaking and want to dive right in—but if I haven’t listened well, I risk missing what truly matters to the pastor in front of me. Their minds may be occupied with board conflicts, staff issues, or declining attendance. If I don’t address those concerns first, I won’t earn the right to speak into disciplemaking.

That’s why patience is key. Jesus didn’t rush people into transformation. He walked with them, asking questions, meeting their needs, and inviting them into something deeper. The Holy Spirit moves at the right pace—sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. My job is to keep in step with Him.

Walking in Step with the Spirit

At 79 years old and with over 50 years of ministry experience, I’m still learning to rely on the Holy Spirit in this work. My greatest takeaway? Pastoring pastors isn’t about strategies, programs, or quick fixes—it’s about investing in people, walking with them, and trusting God to do the real work of transformation.

I want to come alongside pastors, hear their stories, and help them lead well—by making disciples who make disciples. It’s more work than following a set plan, but it’s the only way to truly partner with God in the process. And what greater privilege is there than that?