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The First Five: Beating the Odds and Thriving as a Ministry Leader
Not yet published
Expected 10 Nov 26Is 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 the biblical principles of a call to ministry and the early years of ministry leadershipEmbrace healthy personal (physical, emotional, and spiritual) rhythmsDiscover basic principles for professional and pastoral communicationReceive practical advice 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.
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 the biblical principles of a call to ministry and the early years of ministry leadershipEmbrace healthy personal (physical, emotional, and spiritual) rhythmsDiscover basic principles for professional and pastoral communicationReceive practical advice 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.
240 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 10, 2026
About the author
Kyle Worley
8 books24 followersKyle Worley is a pastor, author, teacher, podcast host. He is the host of the Knowing Faith Podcast, alongside Jen Wilkin and JT English. He is a teaching fellow and partner for Training the Church. He holds degrees in theology and philosophy from Dallas Baptist University, Redeemer Theological Seminary, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. You can find him online @kyleworley on X and Instagram.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Several years ago, in a fit of madness, my wife and I agreed to pastor a small church. I’m kidding. We actually loved every minute of our time there. But I didn’t know what I was doing. I wish I would have had a book like this handed to me before I agreed to ever pastor.
Kyle and Dr. Joseph Worley lead us through a time of self-reflection. Why are we doing this? Is it what we are supposed to do? They also guide us through some Biblical principles in the role of a pastor, and in practical helps for those first 5 years.
This is such a good book for anyone that feels called to pastor a church. Buy it. Read it. Then keep it handy until the day you retire or take your last breath.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Kyle and Dr. Joseph Worley lead us through a time of self-reflection. Why are we doing this? Is it what we are supposed to do? They also guide us through some Biblical principles in the role of a pastor, and in practical helps for those first 5 years.
This is such a good book for anyone that feels called to pastor a church. Buy it. Read it. Then keep it handy until the day you retire or take your last breath.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review