A Barna Research survey (2022) found that 42% of Pastors in the USA have considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year (up 13% from the previous year). Reasons listed included stress (56%), loneliness (43%), cultural issues (34%) and the toll of ministry on their families (29%). LifeBridge Coaching allows ministers to to work through such struggles as we bring God’s story and divine calling back into focus.
A Biblically-based Process
John Studebaker developed LifeBridge after recovering from severe ministerial burnout, applying what he learned in his recovery. The material emerged from a thorough study of Scripture passages centered on divine calling (i.e, Abraham, Moses, Jesus’ disciples) and in his Ph.D. studies (theology of calling and models of calling assessment).
Now, LifeBridge Coaching assists Pastors, missionaries, Christian leaders, and/or their spouses as they deal with the challenges of life within professional ministry. John will coach you through the LifeBridge process in order to focus your life and ministry around your unique, God-given calling. LifeBridge Coaching is a 10-14 hour process, where you’ll re-discover your:
VERTICAL CALL: Examine the way your life-story (Origin, Destiny, and Identity) can be shaped and energized by God’s story; write your Purpose Statement.
HORIZONTAL CALL: Combine your Heart Motivations, Gifts, Talents and Passions into your unique Mission Statement.
PRACTICAL CALL: Write Vision Statements; develop practical plans for your Personal, Relational, Vocational and Ministry domains of life.
RE-ASSESSMENT: You will also develop a Plan for living your calling the rest of your life.
Optional coaching sessions
Turning Points Inventory (discover your Life themes, Core Values, and Roadblocks)
Develop a joint LifePlan for your Marriage or family
Decision-making Matrix (for those in transition)
Debrief Coaching (to walk through a specific struggle or conflict in life or ministry)
Guided theological research
Isolating the root causes of ministerial fatigue, burnout or stagnation; begin recovery process
Transition coaching (for those in times of personal or ministry transition)
Results and Follow-up
The results of LifeBridge Coaching will be renewed boundaries, passion for life and ministry, and a practical blueprint for life. Many pastors and Christian leaders have found it to be a major catalyst in their own spiritual growth, ministry development, and overall focus. See testimonies from past participants in LifeBridgeCoaching (Pastors and Missionaries) here.
We also provide optional follow-up coaching, once a month over the following 12 months, to assist in walking out your plan.
Donation
The requested donation for a LifeBridge Coaching (either at the Oasis or on Zoom) is $1000 for an individual, $1500 for a couple (tax-deductible). A partial scholarship may be available, upon request. We encourage you to stay at the BMI Oasis during your Refocus retreat ($75/night donation in the Vineyard Suite). This support will help expand our ministry in the USA and overseas while assisting with our own ministry expenses as well.
The Need
