Leadership is ownership — and one of the most important things a second chair leader can own is the relationship above them. Year Two is built around that conviction: developing the trust that makes you dependable, the alignment that makes you effective, and the credibility that allows you to carry real weight for your pastor and senior leadership.
Year Two: Leading Up
A 12-month coaching experience to help you strengthen the trust, alignment, and credibility that allows you to carry weight for your pastor.
Apply Today
Build Trust. Strengthen Alignment. Carry Weight.
Who should join Year Two?
- Those who want to strengthen their relationship with their Pastor or senior leader
- Leaders who are looking to improve alignment, communication, and trust
- Anyone who wants to grow in influence, not just execution
- Leaders who want to grow in their ability to lead up with clarity and confidence
- Leaders who have completed Year One
How the Year is Built
- Monthly Coaching Calls
Unpack the month’s material, work through coaching exercises, and process it all with your dedicated cohort. - Quarterly 1:1 Coaching Sessions
Personalized coaching to help you build confidence, clarity, and next steps. - In-Person Leadership Summit
A 3-day gathering designed to invest in you. A practical, inspiring, and transformational experience built around the journey of leading from the middle. - Quarterly Mastery Sessions
Live, interactive Zoom trainings led by the Leading Second Coaching Team. Each session is designed to help you master a key leadership principle, with actionable strategies you can immediately apply in your role.
- Leadership Practicum
A hands-on ministry training event featuring a shadow experience at a thriving local church. -
Role-Specific Cohort Community — Build relationships with leaders who operate at your level and speak your language.
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Exclusive Resources — Practical frameworks to help you lead people, build culture, and execute with clarity.
Built for Your Role. Designed for Shared Growth.
No matter where you serve on the team, there’s a cohort for you. You will be strategically placed in a group of leaders who understand the seat that you’re in.
Every participant is placed into a cohort based on their role:
- Executive Leaders & Campus Pastors
- Directors
- Lead Team & Support Staff
This ensures:
- Conversations reflect your real leadership dynamics
- You learn alongside people navigating similar relationships
- Growth is both practical and applicable to your role
Different roles.
Shared commitment to leading up well.
Leading Second Coaching Summit
Exclusive 3-day leadership retreat in Austin, TX for Coaching Group participants. December 1-3, 2026.
Leadership Practicum
Hands-on coaching. Real-world ministry insight. Leadership lessons you can’t learn in a classroom.
The Leadership Practicum is an exclusive leadership event for participants in Year Two and Year Three designed to give you real access to the day-to-day realities of healthy ministry leadership.
This year’s practicum will be hosted at CoastLife Church in Venice, FL on May 2-4, 2027.
Through an immersive shadow experience, leadership conversations, and practical ministry observations, you’ll sharpen your skills, broaden your vision, and leave equipped to lead stronger than ever before.
Coaching Calls
2026
August 26 (Kick-off Call) | September 10 | October 08
November 12 | Coaching Summit
2027
January 07 | February 11 | March 11
April 08 | Leadership Practicum | June 10
July 14 | August 12
TIME
11:30 AM – 1 PM Central Time
All calls will take place on Wednesdays or Thursdays.
Call times subject to change.
Investment
We offer two pricing plans to choose from:
Pay in Full
One Payment of $2950
Pay in Two Parts
Two Payments of $1700
1. Pay in full comes at a discounted rate. Payment is due by 09/08/26.
2. The two payment option will be two payments of $1,700. Payment one is due by 09/08/26. Payment two is due by 11/10/26.
What Leaders Experience in Year Two
- Stronger alignment with your Pastor or senior leader
- Clearer, more confident communication
- Increased trust and relational credibility
- Greater influence in key decisions and conversations
- A deeper understanding of how to lead up effectively
Strengthen the Relationship that Shapes Everything
Too many leaders wait to be led. Owners lighten their leaders load.
Learn how to lead up with clarity, trust, and confidence.
It would be our honor to walk with you over this next year.
What Participants Are Saying
“Leading Second Coaching Groups have provided clarity for me in my mind and spirit amidst the noise of the world and the pace of ministry that has kept me "in the game" through the most difficult seasons of my life.”
Lorenzo GrajedaExecutive Pastor at Avenue Church (Las Vegas, NV)
“I don't know if I would still be in Ministry, let alone looking forward to my future in Ministry, if it were not for the impact Leading Second Coaching has had on my life!””
Chere JewittMinistry Pastor at Grace Point Northwest (Enumclaw, WA)
“Being part of Leading Second Coaching Groups has been one of the most incredible experiences. Through this community, I have not only grown as a leader but also built connections I never knew I needed. I can confidently say, I’ve found my people.”
Emilee GarciaNext Gen/Family Executive at Revolution Church (San Antonio, TX)
FAQ
What are Leading Second Coaching Groups?
Leading Second Coaching Groups are a 12 month leadership development program for church leaders featuring monthly coaching sessions and a summit for Coaching Group participants in early December.
Do I have to work at a church to apply for Leading Second Coaching Groups?
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.
When are the meeting times for Coaching Groups?
Group meetings happen once per month on Wednesdays or Thursdays.
To find the full schedule, see the “COACHING CALLS” section above.
How many leaders are in each cohort?
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.
When are the next cohorts happening?
Leading Second Coaching Groups are launching in August 2026. Applications for 2026-2027 are open from April 30th-August 19th (or until all spots are filled.)
What is needed to apply to join a Leading Second Coaching Group cohort?
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
When will I know that I’ve been accepted for Coaching Groups?
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.
What are the time commitments for being in Coaching Groups?
Participants can expect to spend 4-8 hours a month on Coaching Groups. Each month (besides months with in-person events) 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 coaching summit and a leadership practicum (exclusively for Year 2 & Year 3 participants). Participants are expected to travel to and be present for these events.
Can I choose my coach or cohort?
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.
Are there sponsorships or scholarships available?
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.