Pastor Chris Bowen opens up about his journey stepping into a church marked by what he calls "congregational trauma" and how pastoral coaching through Flourish became a lifeline for both him and his congregation. When mentors advised him to find support as he began at New Covenant Fellowship, Chris sought someone who understood his denominational context and could provide both personal care and strategic guidance.

The conversation reveals the profound value of having a trusted partner when navigating church renewal. "Matt was someone where I could speak in confidence about ministry challenges, life challenges, personal challenges," Chris explains, highlighting how coaching created a safe space before he had built complete trust with his session. This pastoral dimension of coaching—where Matt functioned as "a shepherd to the shepherd"—emerges as perhaps the most significant benefit.

Beyond personal support, Matt introduced frameworks like the church life cycle model, facilitated session discussions about strategic priorities, and helped process difficult decisions necessary for moving forward. The results after two years speak volumes: improved metrics across both external measures like attendance and internal health indicators like staff culture and elder alignment.

What stands out most is Chris's genuine surprise at how well the renewal journey has progressed, rediscovering the joy of ministry in what he calls a "ministry sweet spot." His candid advice to other pastors considering similar transitions cuts to the heart of effective leadership: "Don't believe the lie that you're stronger than you really are." For church leaders walking through challenging seasons, this conversation offers both practical wisdom and renewed hope for the journey ahead.

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