First-Time Lead Pastors

Leading from the first chair takes steady resilience—but new lead pastors are often left to figure it out alone.

Our 2027 First-Four-Years Lead Pastors Cohort gives ministers:

🌱 Dedicated space for personal, spiritual, and vocational renewal

👥 Shared wisdom and true community with early-career peers

🧭 Guidance to build healthy rhythms for long-term fruitfulness

⚓ A strong foundation to strengthen your well-being from the ground up

Invest in your own well-being so you can move from constant output to lasting overflow.

Apply Here

  • Retreats & Travel

    • Opening Retreat:

      A 3-day, 2-night retreat (February 22-24, 2027) focused on respite, introductions, forming peer relationships, and getting to know your mentor and the Thriving team.

    • Closing Celebration Retreat:

      A 4-day, 3-night celebratory retreat (February 21-24,2028) to complete the formal journey.

    Mentorship & Relationship Support

    • 12 Months of Invested Mentoring:

      Provided by experienced ministers who are personally committed to helping you develop the spiritual rhythms needed to truly thrive.

    • Monthly Group Mentor Calls (Virtual):

      Cohort-wide video calls focused on the four Thriving Benchmarks, encouragement, reflection, and Q&A with a mentor.

    • Customized 1:1 Journey:

      Monthly personalized meetings with mentors.

    • Peer Support & Community:

      Dedicated space to build lasting relationships with other ministers.

  • This cohort is for First-Time Lead Pastors of local congregations, within the first four year of lead pastoring.

    This cohort is uniquely designed for first-time Lead Pastors in years 1 to 4 of their senior leadership journey. (If you’ve been a lead pastor before but are just new to your current church, this won't be the right fit!)

    The applicant must hold credentials in good standing with a denomination, network of churches, or like tradition.

  • Opening Retreat: February 22-24, 2027

    Closing Celebration: February 21-24,2028

    Location to be published by November 1, 2026.


  • The total investment for the 12-month journey is $2,750 plus travel costs and application fee.

    Please note that travel costs for the in-person Opening Retreat and Closing Celebration are not included in the program fee and attendance is required to participate.

    $50.00 non-refundable application fee

    • Note: If you are not selected for this cohort we will waive your application fee for 1 year for any other cohorts you apply to.

    We offer an interest-free payment plan:

    • Deposit (Payment 1): $750 due January 22, 2027

    • Payment 2: $500 due February 20, 2027

    • Payment 3: $500 due April 20, 2027

    • Payment 4: $500 due June 20, 2027

    • Payment 5: $500 due August 20, 2027

  • We want to do everything we can to get you into this cohort! Because of the generous backing of Lilly Endowment, Inc. and our Thriving in Ministry donors, the registration cost is already heavily subsidized for all participants.

    If the remaining cost is still a hurdle, we highly suggest approaching your church leadership or denominational networks—investing in your thriving is a win for your entire community! Additionally, we offer an interest-free payment plan to make the financial commitment as smooth and stress-free as possible.

    If you aren't sure how to start that conversation, you don't have to do it alone. Or if our suggested payment plan will not work for you or you have questions about any of this. Please reach out to our Associate Director, Korista (korista@thrivinginministry.com), who can provide you with language, resources, and ideas on how to approach your networks for support as well as answer any questions you may have.

  • Apply Here


    $50 non-refundable application fee submit here

    Application Closes: January 4, 2027

    Final Intake Interviews: January 7-13, 2027

    Acceptance Letters: January 15, 2027

    First Payment Due: January 22, 2027

    Application Process:

    Apply Here

    Once Thriving Staff receives your application and application fee, we will reach out to schedule an interview with you to learn more about you. We will also be checking your references.

    Final interviews for all applicants will be completed by January 13, 2027. Thriving staff will then notify all applicants of decisions by January 15, 2027.

  • Email our Associate Director, Korista Lewis

    korista@thrivinginministry.com