The Top 9 Pastor Communities (for Content & Connection)
I’ve spent years talking with pastors who are doing faithful, demanding work—and quietly carrying more than most people realize. One of the consistent themes I hear is isolation. Not a lack of content or conferences, but a lack of meaningful connection with other pastors who understand the weight of church leadership.
To that end, I've gathered 9 pastoral communities that I believe are worth considering. They'll encourage you, inspire you, and help you connect with other leaders. These are pastor communities—not generic leadership networks.
These are places where you'll find honest support and practical wisdom. They'll help you stay grounded and healthy.
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Overview of The Top 9 Pastor Communities
Not every pastor community fits every season. This list highlights communities I believe are genuinely worth considering—places that offer support, wisdom, and connection without adding pressure.
1. The Lead Pastor — For community sourced resources
The Lead Pastor exists to give pastors practical, grounded guidance on the management and administrative realities of ministry—without the corporate buzzwords, leadership fluff, or growth-at-all-costs rhetoric. Everything we publish is written with pastors in mind who want clarity, sustainability, and faithfulness, not another CEO playbook dressed up as ministry advice.
- Audience: pastors and church leaders
- Cost: free
- Platform: online platform, newsletters, podcast, video
Why Join:
As community editor for this community, my goal for The Lead Pastor is to cut through the noise and offer pastor-to-pastor wisdom rooted in real experience. I'm focused on simplifying church operations—things like systems, tools, and workflows—so pastors can reclaim margin for prayer, discipleship, and people.
This isn’t about turning pastors into executives. It’s about helping pastors lead faithfully and cultivating thriving churches.
2. Executive Pastor Coaching Network — For executive-level church leaders
The Executive Pastor Coaching Network, led by Tim Stevens (formerly of Willow Creek), is a peer-driven community exclusively for executive pastors and senior ministry leaders. With a private forum of 250+ executive-level leaders, it focuses on strategic church leadership, team building, and the unique challenges of the #2 role.
- Audience: Executive pastors, senior ministry leaders, church operations directors
- Membership Cost: $119/month
- Platform: Online forum, monthly resources, leadership book deliveries
- Join Now
Why Join:
This network addresses the often-overlooked needs of executive pastors who operate in the strategic gap between senior leadership vision and staff execution. Members connect with peers facing identical challenges—managing complex teams, navigating senior pastor relationships, and leading organizational systems. The monthly leadership book and access to 250+ experienced executive leaders create a unique peer-learning environment. It's designed for leaders who need strategic guidance and community from others who understand the specific pressures of the executive pastor role.
3. Pastor's Coach — For holistic church health and apostolic ministry
Pastor's Coach, founded by Michael Brodeur (D.Div.), offers comprehensive training and coaching rooted in biblical models of ministry with emphasis on activating fivefold ministry and healthy church development. The platform combines self-paced courses, live coaching, and practical tools for long-term church transformation.
- Audience: Lead pastors, church planters
- Membership Cost: Membership pricing by consultation; individual coaching $200/session
- Platform: Online Boot Camp courses (250+ hours), live Zoom coaching calls, downloadable resources
- Join Now
Why Join:
Pastor's Coach provides a structured pathway through their 12-module Boot Camp covering everything from theological paradigm shifts to practical leadership development. Members receive comprehensive training materials including a 24-month Action Plan, Strategic Plan templates, and the Destiny Finder assessment tool. The emphasis on biblical models over business methodologies appeals to pastors wanting to root their leadership in Scripture while developing practical systems. The combination of extensive self-paced content and periodic live coaching makes it ideal for pastors committed to long-term, foundational church transformation.
4. Clergy Coaching Network — For transformational pastoral leadership
Clergy Coaching Network provides personalized coaching relationships designed to help clergy navigate ministry challenges, develop leadership skills, and maintain spiritual vitality. With 375,000+ clergy following their resources on social media, they offer accessible entry points into professional coaching support.
- Audience: Clergy across denominations, pastors new to coaching relationships
- Membership Cost: Introductory offer: 4 coaching sessions for $250; ongoing pricing varies
- Platform: One-on-one coaching via phone/video, online resources
- Join Now
Why Join:
The Clergy Coaching Network recognizes that "the world of ministry has changed" and provides pastors with dedicated coaching relationships to navigate new challenges. The low-cost introductory offer (4 sessions for $250) removes barriers to experiencing professional coaching. Coaches help pastors ask better questions, review best practices, and find smart paths forward rather than providing prescriptive solutions. This is ideal for pastors who benefit from individualized attention and appreciate having a dedicated thought partner for processing ministry decisions and challenges.
5. The Pastor Circle — For free peer fellowship and pastoral care
The Pastor Circle offers completely free monthly Zoom gatherings for pastors across all ministries, denominations, and nationalities, focused on Bible study, fellowship, and mutual support. Led by Leaders Following Christ, it provides pastoral support calls and a safe community for processing ministry pressures.
- Audience: All pastors regardless of denomination, church size, or experience level
- Membership Cost: Free
- Platform: Monthly Zoom gatherings, optional one-on-one pastoral support calls
- Join Now
Why Join:
The Pastor Circle exists specifically to address pastoral isolation, stress, and pressure through genuine community without any financial barrier. The monthly gatherings provide consistent touchpoints for fellowship and Bible study discussion with other pastors who understand the unique challenges of ministry life. The completely free model removes all obstacles to participation, making it accessible to bivocational pastors, church planters, and leaders in under-resourced communities. For pastors who simply need understanding community more than expert training, The Pastor Circle offers authentic peer support and pastoral care in a safe, non-competitive environment.
6. Pastor Serve — For holistic pastoral health and coaching
Pastor Serve provides relationship-based coaching for ministry leaders with focus on personal and professional growth across all areas of life. Their philosophy recognizes that every aspect of life influences pastoral effectiveness, offering coaches who provide safe space for exploration, guidance, and spiritual support.
- Audience: Pastors and ministry leaders seeking holistic health and personal development
- Membership Cost: Pricing by consultation based on coaching needs
- Platform: Individual coaching relationships via phone/video, group coaching options
- Join Now
Why Join:
Pastor Serve approaches pastoral support from a holistic perspective, believing that effectiveness in ministry flows from health in all life areas—spiritual, physical, relational, and emotional. Rather than offering tips and techniques, coaches walk alongside pastors through the complexities of ministry life, providing listening ears, guidance, and encouragement. The coaching model adapts to each pastor's unique situation and season, making it valuable for those navigating specific challenges like transitions, burnout recovery, or leadership development. This is ideal for pastors who value deep, personalized support over standardized training programs.
7. Converge Coaching — For district-based pastoral support networks
Converge Coaching creates regionally organized coaching networks that connect pastors with experienced coaches within their district or geographical area. The denomination-based structure provides covering, personal care, and coaching pathways tailored to local church contexts and challenges.
- Audience: Converge pastors and church leaders; some districts open to non-Converge pastors
- Membership Cost: Varies by district; some districts subsidize or provide free coaching
- Platform: District-organized networks, one-on-one coaching, regional gatherings
- Join Now
Why Join:
Converge Coaching recognizes that pastoral challenges often require local context and relationships to address effectively. The district-based structure means coaches understand regional dynamics, cultural contexts, and shared challenges. Whether pastors are stuck, flourishing, experiencing burnout, or planning succession, coaches provide "covering and personal care" through their networks. The biblical foundation emphasizes that coaching flows from relationship, not just expertise. For pastors who value face-to-face connection and local community over online-only platforms, Converge's regionally organized approach creates accountability and support that feels more personal and accessible.
8. Pastors.com — For free weekly leadership resources
Pastors.com, created by Rick Warren, delivers free weekly resources through the Ministry Toolbox newsletter reaching 90,000+ pastors and church leaders. The platform serves as an online interactive community providing sermons, forums, and practical tools built on 30+ years of Purpose Driven ministry experience.
- Audience: All pastors and church leaders globally, regardless of denomination or size
- Membership Cost: Free
- Platform: Weekly email newsletter, online community, resource library, forums
- Join Now
Why Join:
Pastors.com leverages Rick Warren's extensive ministry experience and global Purpose Driven network to equip pastors with practical wisdom and encouragement. The free weekly Ministry Toolbox provides consistent touchpoints of teaching, practical tools, and insights without requiring paid membership. The online community functions as a dynamic space where church leaders can draw from one another's experiences and expertise. For pastors wanting access to high-quality resources from a trusted voice without budget constraints, Pastors.com offers proven content from one of America's most influential pastors, making Purpose Driven principles and practical ministry tools accessible to churches of all sizes worldwide.
9. The Art of Leadership Academy — For comprehensive church leadership development
The Art of Leadership Academy, founded by Carey Nieuwhof, provides all-access membership to extensive online courses, live coaching calls, done-for-you staff training, and a vibrant online community focused on helping church leaders overcome growth barriers. With Carey's podcast reaching 30+ million downloads and ranking in the top 0.1% globally, the Academy delivers his best insights and strategies in actionable formats.
- Audience: Lead pastors, church staff, ministry leaders pursuing church growth and personal effectiveness
- Membership Cost: $57/month or annual option available
- Platform: Mobile app, online courses, monthly live coaching calls, private community
- Join Now
Why Join:
The Art of Leadership Academy addresses the 400% increase in pastoral burnout since 2015 by combining personal effectiveness training (At Your Best) with practical church leadership skills (preaching, team building, navigating conflict, leading change, fundraising). Members get comprehensive course access plus monthly "done-for-you" staff training materials that eliminate content creation time. Carey personally engages in the community most days, and monthly coaching calls feature top guests like Patrick Lencioni and Jeff Henderson. The Academy is particularly valuable for leaders who want to scale their church's impact while maintaining personal health, offering both the strategic vision for growth and practical tools for sustainable leadership.
Final Thoughts
Pastoral leadership was never meant to be carried alone. If you’re feeling stretched, isolated, or simply tired, my hope is that this list helps you take one small step toward meaningful connection. You don’t need every community—just the right one for this season. And sometimes, choosing to walk with others is one of the most faithful leadership decisions you can make.
