Bill Belichick didn’t forget how to coach—the game changed. The same thing is happening in the church. Pastors who once led strong, stable teams now find themselves in a “transfer-portal world,” where people move faster, trust less, and expect more relational leadership. The gospel hasn’t changed, but the field has. You can’t coach tomorrow with yesterday’s playbook.

Pastors often feel pressure to move fast and prove themselves, but rushing change usually damages trust. Deliberate, slow leadership isn’t wasted time—it builds relationships and makes vision sustainable.

Ministry is never a solo calling. Every pastor needs people around them who speak life, offer wisdom, share the burden, and remind them they are not alone. Here are seven kinds of people every pastor should seek out—and how to be one of them to someone else.

Churches do not need massive buildings to be faithful or effective. In today’s diverse communities, smaller congregations are leading the way by sharing space, partnering with other ministries, and using their buildings as tools—not trophies. Stewardship of space is a missional issue, and one culture cannot reach every culture. It is time to shift from asking “How do we fill this building?” to “How can this building serve the mission?”

Summer might feel like a lull in church life, but it is the perfect season to prepare for revitalization. Use this time to assess where your church stands, clarify your mission, and intentionally plan for the fall. Do not waste the quiet—use it to build momentum.