Serving pastors and ministry leaders
locally in West Michigan and beyond.
Leadership Support for Pastors
A Six-Month Leadership Development Relationship
Ministry leadership carries enormous responsibility.
Pastors are often expected to lead clearly, care deeply, communicate wisely, navigate conflict, manage responsibilities, and remain steady through constant demands — often with very few places where they can speak honestly and think clearly outside the pressures of ministry itself.
I provide leadership support for pastors through honest conversations that help develop healthier leadership habits, clearer communication, practical follow-through, and greater confidence in the real-world responsibilities of ministry leadership.
What This Relationship Is — And Is Not
This is not theological oversight, church consulting, or denominational leadership.
My role is not to tell pastors what theology to teach or what direction their church should take.
My role is to:
• listen carefully
• ask thoughtful questions
• help pastors think clearly through leadership challenges
• encourage healthy leadership habits
• strengthen communication and follow-through
• provide honest and confidential leadership support
The process is conversational, practical, thoughtful, and customized to the pastor's actual responsibilities and challenges.
The Realities of Ministry Leadership
Ministry leadership often involves carrying responsibilities that few people fully see.
Many pastors navigate:
• constant interruptions and competing demands
• communication challenges
• difficult conversations
• balancing ministry and family responsibilities
• reactive leadership patterns
• organizational overload
• congregational tension and relational strain
• pressure to always appear confident and capable
• isolation in decision-making
• the emotional weight of caring for people while also leading responsibly
Leadership was never meant to be carried entirely alone.
Common Areas of Focus
While every pastor and ministry context is different, many conversations focus on areas such as:
• healthy leadership habits
• intentional listening
• communication clarity
• follow-through and accountability
• practical organization and systems
• balancing priorities and responsibilities
• difficult conversations
• reducing unnecessary tension
• leadership responsibility
• decision-making under pressure
• caring well for people while carrying ministry responsibilities
The goal is not perfection.
The goal is healthier, clearer, confident leadership over time.
How the Relationship Works
This leadership development relationship is structured over six months to allow trust, consistency, and meaningful growth over time.
Most relationships include:
• two conversations per month
• approximately 90 minutes each
• virtual or in-person meetings
• practical reflection and action steps between conversations
• accountability and follow-up support as needed
• completely confidential conversations
Some pastors need help thinking clearly through specific situations.
Others need support developing healthier leadership habits and rhythms over time.
The process is flexible and shaped around the actual realities of ministry leadership.
Confidentiality
Healthy and honest leadership conversations require trust.
Confidentiality is essential.
What we discuss stays between us unless you choose to share it.
About John
John Salzwedel brings decades of leadership experience from both ministry and business environments.
He has spent nearly 50 years in the same congregation, served in church staff leadership, chaired his congregation multiple times, participated in pastoral call processes, and helped lead through the challenges of the pandemic and pastoral transition.
He also spent 14 months traveling to churches in the United States and abroad, gaining exposure to many different congregations, ministry environments, and pastoral leadership realities.
His approach combines practical leadership habits, honest communication, intentional responsibility, and a deep understanding of the challenges pastors often carry behind the scenes.
Cost
The six-month leadership development relationship is $3000.
Payment arrangements are available if needed.
Request an Introductory Conversation
Sometimes pastors simply need a place where they can speak honestly, think clearly, and work through leadership responsibilities with someone outside the immediate pressures of ministry leadership.
If this resonates with you, I would welcome a conversation.
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