Is it possible to do more than survive in ministry leadership? Could you actually thrive? The alarming reality is that most ministry leaders will not make it more than five years in leadership. Burnout, lack of training, and an absence of coaches are all pitfalls on the road to sustainable ministry leadership. But there is a different roadmap for those willing to learn. In The First Five, Joseph and Kyle Worley present a pathway for thriving in ministry leadership. With over sixty years of experience, across churches of every size and shape, they provide a biblically rooted and tested approach to the personal, professional, and pastoral dynamics of ministry leadership. Readers will: • Learn the biblical principles of a call to ministry and the early years of ministry leadership • Embrace healthy personal (physical, emotional, and spiritual) rhythms • Discover basic principles for professional and pastoral communication • Receive practical advice on: how to respond to angry emails, how to build effective teams, how to organize your first funeral service, and many other intensely practical questions for new leaders The First Five is designed to be a manual for new ministry leaders and those leading them. Don't just read this book―use it! You can do more than survive as a ministry leader. We believe you can thrive. Kyle Worley is a pastor, teacher, and the author of Home with God: Our Union with Christ (B&H) and The Dragon Slayer and His Special Suit (B&H Kids). He is the host of the Knowing Faith Podcast, alongside Jen Wilkin and J. T. English. Dr. Joseph Worley (D.Min from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) has served for over forty years in pastoral leadership with three decades as senior pastor of the same church.
