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Long Pastorates: An Alternative View

October 1, 2008 By Brian Thorstad

By Rev. John Herman, Former Executive Director, Evangelical Free Church of America Pastoral Care Ministries This article originally appeared in EFCA TODAY magazine, Summer, 2004, Volume 78, Issue 2. I think brother Herman has something very important to say here about an extremely relevant topic for church health: pastoral tenure. BAT ……………………………………. The long pastorate […]

Filed Under: Healthy Pastors, Pastoral Transitions

QUICK GUIDE – Succession Planning For Pastors

April 17, 2020 By Brian Thorstad

  Condensed from “Succession Planning”, NL Moore & Associates  Planned or unplanned, every church will go through a pastoral succession. In the next 10 years, more than half of all churches in America will go through a pastoral succession. There are not enough students in seminaries today to fill the empty pulpits that already exist […]

Filed Under: Church Boards And Staffs, Healthy Pastors, Leadership, Pastoral Search Teams, Pastoral Transitions, Quick Guides

Three Benefits of Getting a Fresh Start

June 20, 2016 By Brian Thorstad

Not so long ago, the ideal among evangelical pastors was the “lifetime pastorate” of 20, 30 or 40 years. Our models were a few famous pastors. “Since their ministries were long and successful,” we reasoned, “if I have a long ministry it will also be successful.” That was a poor deduction. Those long ministries were […]

Filed Under: Healthy Pastors, Pastoral Transitions

QUICK GUIDE – Pastoral Resignations (13 Ways To Leave With Grace)

April 17, 2020 By Brian Thorstad

  Don’t go away mad. Seek a trusted advisor and work through your anger issues.  Resign because God is leading you to resign, not because your emotions are leading you to resign (Ephesians 4:25-31).  If God is leading you to resign, don’t equivocate or expect to be talked into staying.  Make it clear and firm […]

Filed Under: Healthy Pastors, Pastoral Transitions, Quick Guides

Six Things Struggling Pastors Don’t Need

December 21, 2018 By Brian Thorstad

Here’s what I mean by a “struggling pastor.”  I’m talking about a pastor who, by his own admission, is neither happy nor effective. He’s not having fun.  He’s bailing water and not keeping up.  ‘Get the picture? Here’s what he doesn’t need: A new church I need to be careful here. Maybe he doesneed a new […]

Filed Under: Healthy Pastors, Leadership, Pastoral Transitions

Senior-itis And Senior Pastor-itis

February 5, 2021 By Brian Thorstad

I think we all know what senior-itis is: the arrogance/impatience/excitement of the high school senior who feels like she’s: (a) an adult, trapped in a child’s existence (b) so much smarter than her parents (c) a college student on the inside who is suffering terribly by having to attend high school and live with her […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Healthy Pastors, Leadership, Pastoral Transitions

God Doesn’t Offer Stock Options

December 17, 2017 By Brian Thorstad

Many corporations offer stock options to their employees. It works out pretty well for everyone. Employees get a piece of the company. Employers get increased dedication from their employees. Sadly, many Christian workers make the mistake of assuming that they are earning shares in the ministries they work for through their hard work and dedication. […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Healthy Pastors, Leadership, Pastoral Transitions

Three Challenges To The Traditional Search Committee

September 6, 2017 By Brian Thorstad

Congregational churches have traditionally replaced their pastors with the help of “search” or “pulpit” committees, made up of a combination of board members and non-board representatives of the congregation. The non-board members of the group are, in some churches, chosen by the church’s leaders, but are more typically elected by the congregation. In the worst […]

Filed Under: Pastoral Search Teams, Pastoral Transitions

Four Perils Of The Internal Candidate

June 6, 2017 By Brian Thorstad

The senior pastor has just resigned. Before anyone can say “search committee,” the board chairman lets it be known that his nephew, a missionary in Botswana, would make a great candidate. The missionary is a favorite son candidate and there are dangers involved in how he is handled. Much more dangerous, however, is the situation […]

Filed Under: Pastoral Search Teams, Pastoral Transitions

More Perils of the Internal Candidate

June 26, 2017 By Brian Thorstad

In a previous post, Four perils of the internal candidate, I wrote about the difficulties which accompany the church staff member making himself a candidate for the position opened up by the departure of the senior pastor. In too many cases, good churches stumble into these situations without any knowledge of the perils. Here are […]

Filed Under: Pastoral Search Teams, Pastoral Transitions

Not Your Father’s Interim Pastor

March 19, 2017 By Brian Thorstad

It wasn’t so long ago that almost all interim pastors were of the traditional variety. They preached sermons, gave pastoral care and basically just kept things afloat until the congregation could call a “real pastor.”  Things have changed. Today’s interim pastors, who sometimes prefer to be called transitional pastors, are doing interim ministry in some […]

Filed Under: Interim Pastoring, Pastoral Transitions

The Parable Of The Headhunter

January 29, 2013 By Brian Thorstad

Note: I first wrote this parable to help pastor search committees to move in the direction of realistic expectations for pastors.  Even if your church is not searching for a new pastor, this little story may help you to understand and bear with the pastor you already have.  The senior pastor search committee of First […]

Filed Under: Pastoral Search Teams, Pastoral Transitions

“Enjoying The Ride”

November 29, 2010 By Brian Thorstad

(Or, “How you can survive the pastoral transition at your church”) Psychologists today tell us that stress is an inside job, more of a function of the individual human personality than an inevitable reaction to circumstances.  You could almost say that we make our own stress.  Two people are strapped into the same roller coaster. […]

Filed Under: Interim Pastoring, Pastoral Search Teams, Pastoral Transitions

Working Yourself Out Of A Job

June 2, 2009 By Brian Thorstad

(How interim pastors can help their church’s pastoral search committees)   Of the many projects I’ve undertaken as an interim pastor in several churches, helping these church’s long-term pastor search committees has been among the most satisfying.  The help I have given has been greatly appreciated, the task of leading these groups has been comparatively […]

Filed Under: Interim Pastoring, Pastoral Search Teams, Pastoral Transitions

To Get The Best Pastor Possible

February 25, 2022 By Brian Thorstad

Looking for a new solo or senior pastor for your church can be a stressful, fearful, experience.  We know that we should just “trust God” of course, but we also know, all-too-well, how important this process can be.  The right pastor can greatly bless your church.  The wrong pastor can all but destroy your church. […]

Filed Under: Pastoral Search Teams, Pastoral Transitions

To Get The Best Pastor Possible, Part Two

March 2, 2022 By Brian Thorstad

Periods of transition between senior or solo pastors are crucial for churches. This seems to be the case in all sizes of churches and in almost all denominational “tribes.” We wish it wasn’t so, but most of us know that the calling/accepting of a new pastor can make or break a congregation. This being the […]

Filed Under: Pastoral Search Teams, Pastoral Transitions

“Our Pastor Just Went Away Mad”

July 13, 2022 By Brian Thorstad

I’m sorry to say that I have heard these very words from the leaders of more than one congregation, sometimes followed by the question: “Now what?” This should almost never happen of course.  Pastors, of all people, should know how to – as the old saying has it – “just go away,” instead of going […]

Filed Under: Church Boards And Staffs, Pastoral Transitions, Seriously Troubled Churches

Why Pastors Go Away Mad

July 19, 2022 By Brian Thorstad

I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest – I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”  Psalm 55:7,8 Last week I wrote about the sad phenomenon of […]

Filed Under: Healthy Pastors, Pastoral Transitions, Seriously Troubled Churches

Brian’s “Peace Verses”

August 17, 2022 By Brian Thorstad

Psalm 3:5,6 “I lie down and sleep;  I wake again because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.” (NIV) Psalm 4:7,8 “You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep […]

Filed Under: Healthy Pastors, Leadership, Pastoral Transitions, Seriously Troubled Churches

The Myth Of The Young Pastor

September 20, 2022 By Brian Thorstad

I’m not picking on young pastors.  Not by any means.  Young pastors (and their families) are wonderful. Nor am I picking on churches which like young pastors.  Good for them. In fact, I want to commend every church on the planet which is aging but interested in younger pastors because they’re concerned about reaching the […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Pastoral Search Teams, Pastoral Transitions

Full Disclosure Vs. No Disclosure: How Much Should We Tell?

September 26, 2022 By Brian Thorstad

Here’s the scenario: Your church’s youth director has just resigned.  He was well-liked and seemed to be effective.  Most of the church has no idea what went on behind the scenes.  Only a few leaders know that there were character issues, accountability issues, communication issues, philosophy-of-ministry issues and eventually, personal issues between the senior pastor […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Pastoral Transitions, Seriously Troubled Churches

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Testimonials

Pastor Darin Kirkman
I am so grateful to God for Brian, his ministry, and his friendship. As a result of his assessment and coaching, my church has experienced unmistakable, God-given renewal. We are increasingly living out our church's mission which is to love and glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ. This is clearly showing in terms of spiritual depth (i.e. more people are maturing as Christian disciples) and spiritual width (i.e. more people are becoming Christian disciples). Our communication is clearer, our structure is stronger, our leadership development process is better, our facility stewardship is more proactive, and our cultural mindset is now set on eagerly advancing the kingdom of God. I strongly recommend the Church Whisperer to you.

Pastor Darin Kirkman
Elder Jim I wanted to let you know that we have really made some huge changes in the last few months.  We are seeing new people every week and we had a leadership meeting with 23 in attendance. Pastor ______ is doing well and God is doing amazing things.  Thanks for your support, prayers and love for the church!
Elder Jim
A New Church-Goer ...thank you for your messages at [our church] over the past weeks.  I just started going to _____________ while you were there and hadn't been to church in decades.  Your messages kept me coming back...  Thank you for helping me find my way back to God.
A New Church-Goer
Pastor Trey Turner "Brian is an experienced and insightful investigator of church systems.  He has real skill in looking at and diagnosing some areas needing attention.  I benefited greatly from his insight.  As a result, our church is benefiting greatly.  The process Brian took us through gave it the encouragement it needed to begin coming out of the 2020 difficulties.  We will work on the insights Brian provided as a roadmap back to better health."
Pastor Trey Turner
Pastor Greg Lund I've appreciated so much Brian's very practical coaching as he's guided me and the leadership of our church as we've sought to become more effective for God's kingdom. His extensive experience in assisting churches navigate a variety of issues makes him highly qualified to help lead churches through congregational change.
Pastor Greg Lund
Pastor Bruce Jahnke
"Our church is extremely grateful for the insight, adaptability and wisdom Brian so graciously contributed to our needs as we transitioned.  Our pastor transition was from Father to Son, which is by definition, difficult.  Yet Brian was able to foresee issues, feelings and responses with high accuracy.  Brian is personable, yet can direct when he needs to help us be reasonable and vision-oriented."

Pastor Bruce Jahnke
Andy Shanholtz I had the privilege of co leading a pastor’s training group with Brian. Brian’s wealth of knowledge and practical experience was an asset to all of us. The interaction with the group and the relationships built was a great value. I highly recommend having Brian facilitate a group to provide invaluable resources and practical knowledge.
Andy Shanholtz
Pastor Jed Manders
Leadership development within cohorts and peer groups has become increasingly popular, and rightfully so. Being involved in Brian’s leadership training group allowed me the opportunity to work through challenges, develop strengths and learn from both reading and peer development.


Pastor Jed Manders
Pastor Mark Pitroff "I have been so privileged and encouraged to be ministered to by Brian Thorstad as I have served as an Interim Pastor here in central Wisconsin.  He has been such a help and encouragement to me and especially, to this church I have served - Faith Community Church of Waupaca.  His leadership in helping us develop the “Journey Wall” enabled us to look back on the church’s history, the high points as well as the difficulties faced, especially in recent years.   Brian has helped FCC recover from a very difficult time…  Brian was such an encouragement to us, especially in the early months of recovery and preparation."
Pastor Mark Pitroff
Pastor Dan Norman “I enjoyed getting to know the guys in the group [and] I appreciated the thought, mind and spiritual challenges presented… I found many things that I was able to immediately apply, and I am still developing next steps that much of the discussion and training of this class helped to build a foundation for. [The handouts on strategic planning] will continue to be helpful in trying to guide our church to being more intentional. This [was] exactly what I was looking for at exactly the time I needed it.”
Pastor Dan Norman
Pastor Steven Boyd  "This course showed me that I, as a solo pastor, have to do things that don’t come naturally to me and has given me some tools to do the hard things.”
Pastor Steven Boyd 
Pastor Brian Schley “I found value in our meetings and am grateful you invited me to be part of it as a ‘future senior pastor.’ I enjoyed being able to be part of the conversations and glean from those beyond me. Thanks for your leadership with the group and your heart for pastors!”
Pastor Brian Schley
Pastor Todd Sauve "It was a privilege to have been a part of a pastors group led by Brian Thorstad. It's always great to learn from other pastors, and someone needs to provide leadership to make that happen. I'm thankful that Brian was willing to do that, and to share from both his successes and failures in ministry. He's honest, humble, and cares about people."
Pastor Todd Sauve

Brian A. Thorstad

Call: 651-319-1953

Email: churchwhisperer@gmail.com

1931 Cook Avenue
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

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