Leading Second Coaching Groups are a 12-24 month leadership development program for church leaders featuring monthly coaching sessions and a summit for Coaching Group participants in early December, 2024.

Year One is for first time Coaching Group participants. This is a 12-month coaching experience which includes monthly coaching Zoom calls, 3 group sessions with your cohort, 3 1:1 sessions with your coach, and an in-person Summit in Phoenix, AZ.

Year Two is for participants who have completed Year 1 of Coaching Groups who want to continue their journey of learning how to master the art of second-chair leadership. Year Two is a 12-month coaching experience which includes monthly coaching Zoom calls, 3 group sessions with your cohort, 3 1:1 sessions with your coach, an in-person Summit in Phoenix, AZ, plus an additional onsite observation/training event.

Alumni is a new opportunity for those who have completed Years 1 & 2 to continue their leadership development journey and stay connected to their community of second chair leaders. The Alumni program will include coaching calls, second chair masterclasses, access to the in-person Summit in Phoenix, AZ, and exclusive access to the Alumni Gathering in San Antonio, TX.

Leading Second Coaching Groups are for leaders in church ministry. Paid or volunteer staff members are welcome to apply. Our cohorts are designed for Executive Pastors, Campus Pastors, and Leadership Team members. We believe that anyone serving their church can lead second. When stating “second-chair”, we are referencing the spirit of leading second, not just a leader sitting in the second seat on the org chart.

Group meetings happen once per month on Wednesdays or Thursdays.

To find the full schedule, see the “SCHEDULE” section above.

Each cohort will be intentionally small with a coach dedicated to just their cohort.  We are creating a space for leaders to grow deeper relationships and have the ability to be coached on a personal level.

Leading Second Coaching Groups are launching in September 2024. Join the waitlist to be the first to know about the next round of Coaching Groups.

Before applying to join Leading Second Coaching Groups, please review the following requirements for applications:

–  3-5 minute video testimony

–  Completion of the coaching groups application including a 500 word essay

–  2 References (Peer & Direct Report)

–  $25 nonrefundable application fee

Once your application and non-refundable application fee have been received, you will receive final notice of the status of your application via email within 3 weeks.

Participants can expect to spend 4-8 hours a month on Coaching Groups. Each month (besides December due to the in-person summit & May due to the in-person practicum) will feature a teaching lesson, a 90-minute coaching session, and tools & practices to put into action in their leadership. There will be an in-person leadership summit in Phoenix, AZ in early December, 2024 and an in-person leadership practicum in San Antonio, TX in May 2025. Participants are expected to travel to Phoenix & San Antonio and be present for both events.

Coaches and cohorts will be assigned at the discretion of Leading Second. We will be praying and applying wisdom to best match leaders to the cohorts and coaches that will benefit them the most. All decisions on coaches and cohorts will be final.

Many churches have special budgets for pastoral staff to attend conferences and buy reading materials to develop their ministry skills. If Leading Second Coaching Groups sound like something that would be a great fit but you’re not sure how funding would work, consider writing an email to your supervisor or elders and ask if there might be a ministry development fund that could be applied towards this program.

If you are part of a church-plant and are interested in Leading Second Coaching Groups, but are unable to get funding through your church, reach out to us at coaching@leadingsecond.com and tell us your story. We’d love to talk through possible solutions for funding.

Participants in Leading Second Coaching Groups are required to attend the in-person leadership summit in Phoenix, AZ on December 4-6, 2024 and the leadership practicum in San Antonio, TX in May 2025. Participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and transportation. Food, refreshments, and admission to the events are included in your registration cost.

The in-person leadership summit will be on December 4-6, 2024 in Phoenix, AZ. The venue for meetings will be determined at a later date. Participants are responsible for their own lodging.

The in-person leadership practicum for Alumni participants will be hosted on May 4-6, 2025 in San Antonio, TX.  The exact venues for meetings will be determined at a later date. Participants are responsible for their own lodging, travel, and transportation. The Sunday morning onsite observation is optional. The event officially kicks off in the evening on May 4th. This is a required event as part of the alumni program.

Reach out to us via email at coaching@leadingsecond.com with your questions. Our team would be happy to help you with any questions you may have.