Lead Pastor Base Camp

The more epic the adventure, the more we need a camp where we can return again and again for resourcing. We at Pinnacle believe participating in the Christian Movement in this current context and beyond is the grand adventure of our lives. Lead Pastors, those serving as guides for local congregations caught up in this adventure, are sensitized to their need for effective training and support for serving in their role. Motivated Lead Pastors want to be effective, claiming their calling and living into their roles with excellence.



To that end, Pinnacle’s Lead Pastor Base Camp is a quality immersive training experience, designed to equip pastors for serving effectively in the Lead Pastor role. Implementation Coaching Groups beyond the Base Camp provide support and accountability for living out the Lead Pastor Ministry Guide participants develop during the Base Camp.

THE WHY

We at Pinnacle were inspired to design this LPBC intensive as a result of numerous conversations, observations, and requests; all centering on the role of Lead Pastors, including:

• Requests from experienced Lead Pastors who find staying centered in their faith and callings more challenging as the pressure to perform increases in this swiftly changing context

• Lead Pastors several years into the role recognizing the complexity is beyond their expectations, requiring significant learning, professional development, and disciplined focus

• Due to the clergy shortage, pastors are finding themselves serving as Lead Pastors with less seasoning or experience before stepping into this role

• Motivated Lead Pastors are looking for the most essential and effective practices their churches need from them in order to move forward missionally

THE WHAT

During the Base Camp week, participants will:

• Worship, pray, and reflect together, centering in The Way of Jesus

• Engage Pinnacle’s Churchcraft Leadership Paradigm, a comprehensive model for knowing God, self, role, and context

• Identify one’s natural leadership style, followed by pushing beyond our natural tendencies to access the strengths of multiple styles as contextual needs shift

• Learn the Six Essential Functions of Lead Pastors, including leading transformation

• Grow familiar with the stages of vocational development, including the losses and gains, that are normative while growing into the role of Lead Pastor

• Formally and informally interact with experienced and effective LPBC Faculty during the week, while also taking in their stories and examples of successes, failures, joys, and struggles as experienced in the Lead Pastor role

• Interact with other motivated Lead Pastors from various Christian denominations, sharing best practices and experiencing community through a common calling

• Emerge from the week with a personalized Lead Pastor Ministry Guide, one’s plan for living into the Six Essential Functions in one’s context

IMPLEMENTATION COACHING GROUPS (OPTIONAL)

Running from November 2024 – June 2025, participants are invited to pursue their Lead Pastor Ministry Guide with support and accountability through these groups. Groups are up to 6 Lead Pastors who participate in the Base Camp, gathering online once a month, lead by a LPBC Faculty person.



Lead Pastor Base Camp Faculty

REV. MARK E. TIDSWORTH

Ordained Baptist. Founder and Team Leader at Pinnacle Leadership Associates, based in Chapin, SC. Mark has served as a Lead Pastor, yet perhaps his greater asset for this event is his 20+ years of training and coaching Lead Pastors from various denominations.

REV. DR. CATHY JAMIESON

Ordained United Methodist. Cathy has served in multiple ministry roles, including Associate, Solo, and Lead Pastor. Serving as a District Superintendant with the South Carolina UMC as well as college chaplain also give her a broad perspective on leadership. Currently Cathy serves as Lead Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in North Augusta, SC.

REV. DR. DAN HOLLOWAY

Ordained Presbyterian USA. Consulting Coordinator at Pinnacle Leadership Associates. Dan served as a long-term pastor (28 years) with Unity Presbyterian Church in Fort Mill, SC, shepherding the church through various stages and sizes, while developing the staff team and lay leadership teams.

REV. DR. ELLEN FOWLER SKIDMORE

Ordained Presbyterian USA. After serving as a Christian Educator and Associate Pastor in various churches, Ellen moved into the Lead Pastor role at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC (18 years). Extensive ministry in her Presbytery has yielded a breadth and depth to her wisdom and perspective.

REV. LAURA SMITH CONRAD

Ordained Presbyterian USA. After extensive Associate Pastor experience, Laura became the Lead Pastor at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church in Clemson, SC (15 years). Laura brings excellent preaching and worship leadership skills, as well as strong staff development experience to the LPBC.

LEAD PASTOR BASE CAMP TUITION—$1,520

Includes all expenses at the conference center, a single room with bathroom, the Lead Pastor Base Camp Workbook, and Leadership Style Inventory.

LEAD PASTOR BASE CAMP + GROUP COACHING—$2,020

Includes everything above and nine months of group coaching: November 2024 – June 2025.