Pastor.Academy
Training Pastors for
Faithful Leadership
obtain the skills they never taught you in seminary
Most Common Obstacles to Staying in Ministry
Lack of Balance
Being a pastor is demanding, requiring significant time and dedication. Studies show 84% of pastors feel on call 24/7, and 72% work 55-75 hours weekly. This often negatively impacts their families, with 80% reporting personal life effects.
Leadership Effectiveness
90% of pastors feel their seminary education did not adequately train them in leadership skills, impacting their ability to handle practical and relational challenges, leading to stress, burnout, and shorter ministry tenure. Additionally, 53% report inadequate training in team management and strategic planning, further exacerbating their stress and burnout.
Insufficient Pay
Approximately 76% of pastors know others who left ministry due to financial pressures. Financial stress is significant, with 57% unable to pay bills and 53% concerned about their family's financial security. Many lack health insurance or retirement benefits, exacerbating strain and contributing to burnout and turnover.
Communication Skills
53% of pastors feel inadequately trained in preaching and communication skills, and 90% lack training in people skills, social intelligence, and preaching. This training gap leads to high stress and burnout, leaving pastors unprepared for the practical and relational challenges of their roles.
Does this resonate with you?
You're not alone—I’ve been there too. It doesn’t mean you need to step away from your calling. What you need is a coach to help you refine and master your ministry skills!
I'm here to help
Hi, My name is Jeremy Lyerla
I understand the challenges of ministry because I've faced them myself. To better equip myself - and others like you - I earned a B.S. in Business and an M.S. in Leadership and Management, and am pursing a Doctorate in Business Administration in Organizational Leadership, so you can get the support you need without pursuing another degree. I also hold certifications in People Skills, Communication, Wellbeing, and Resilience.
With over 25 years of experience as a missionary, church planting pastor, senior pastor, and director of operations, I'm here to help you master your ministry skills. Let's partner together to elevate your minsitry to the next level.
Services
Is your church struggling with alignment, staff retention, or sustainable growth?
I offer tailored coaching and organizational services to help churches thrive. From aligning core values, vision, and mission to creating a strategic plan for impact, I help churches clarify their direction.
I also specialize in developing compensation and benefits structures that retain staff, promote work-life balance, and support the well-being of pastors.
Whether through individual coaching, a full church analysis, or guidance for church planters, I provide practical solutions to strengthen leadership and ensure long-term ministry success.
Transform your church by aligning vision, building strong leadership teams, and implementing sustainable compensation strategies that ensure staff retention and long-term impact.
Coaching Services
My coaching helps churches align vision, build effective leadership teams, and create sustainable compensation strategies to drive long-term impact and staff well-being.
Elder Board Coach
Elder Board Coaching equips you to establish, lead, and develop a healthy, effective elder team. From defining biblical roles and responsibilities to building unity, trust, and long-term leadership structures, we guide you in creating a strong foundation for shared spiritual oversight.
Church Plant Coach
Church Planting Coaching offers personalized guidance from initial vision to launch. We help you define core values, mission, and ministry philosophy, then develop a strategic plan to move from concept to a thriving church plant—equipping you every step of the way.
Leadership Coach
Leader Coaching service is designed to equip pastors, church planters, and ministry leaders with the tools to build and lead effective, mission-driven teams. Through personalized coaching, I guide leaders in developing a clear vision, strengthening leadership skills, fostering collaboration, and creating a healthy, thriving ministry culture that empowers both leaders and staff for long-term success.
Work-Life Balance:
"Receiving ministry coaching on work-life balance has been transformative for my pastoral journey. Balancing the demands of ministry with family and personal time seemed impossible until I started coaching sessions. The practical tools and strategies I learned have helped me set healthy boundaries, prioritize my time effectively, and find rest in the midst of a busy schedule. This coaching has not only improved my personal well-being but also revitalized my passion for ministry, allowing me to serve my congregation with renewed energy and focus."
Strategic Leadership and People Skills:
"Strategic leadership and people skills coaching has been a game-changer for my ministry. The coaching sessions provided me with invaluable insights into effective team dynamics, conflict resolution, and visionary leadership. I learned how to cast a compelling vision that aligns with our church's mission and how to lead our team with empathy and clarity. The practical exercises and real-world scenarios we worked through have equipped me to handle diverse challenges confidently. This coaching has significantly enhanced our church's unity and growth, making our ministry more impactful and cohesive."
Coaching in Preaching:
"Coaching in preaching has taken my sermons to a whole new level. The personalized feedback and expert guidance have helped me refine my delivery, deepen my exegetical skills, and connect more effectively with my congregation. The coaching sessions emphasized the importance of clarity, passion, and relevance in preaching, which has transformed the way I approach sermon preparation and delivery. My congregation has noticed the difference, and I have received numerous positive comments about the increased impact of my messages. This coaching has been an invaluable investment in my calling as a preacher."
Want to Learn More?
Schedule a free introductory call to learn more about how I can help you take your ministry skills to the next level.
Whether you are looking for one-on-one coaching, creating work-life balance, increasing your salary, developing your leadership and communication skills, I am here to help.
