DO YOU FEEL CALLED TO
PASTOR OTHER MINISTRY LEADERS?
Join our team of 200+ shepherds who guide pastors and other ministry leaders into healthy ministry.
THOUSANDS OF PASTORS, MINISTRY LEADERS, AND THEIR SPOUSES SERVED IN THE US AND 30+ COUNTRIES
TAKE ON A NEW ADVENTURE & CARE FOR OTHER PASTORS
- Guide pastors and their spouses into increasingly healthier lives and ministry.
- Help leaders prevent and recover from isolation, discouragement, and burnout.
- Share the wisdom you gained during your ministry experience.
- Join as an individual shepherd or consider teaming up with your spouse to minister to other ministry couples together.
- Receive training, resources, and a community of support to grow the resources and expertise you need to become a shepherd.
THE CHALLENGE
41%
41% OF PASTORS SAY THEY'VE CONSIDERED QUITTING MINISTRY IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
65%
65% OF PASTORS REPORT FEELINGS OF LONLINESS & ISOLATION.
22%
ONLY 22% OF PASTORS RECEIVE REGULAR SPIRITUAL SUPPORT.
*Statistics on Pastors: 2022 BARNA RESEARCH
THE SHEPHERD SOLUTION
Are you looking for a way to continue your impact on the health of the church today? Standing Stone is a Christian, non-profit, 501(c)3 ministry. Our mission is to guide ministry leaders into healthy ministry.
WHO WE SERVE
We serve pastors, other ministry leaders, and their spouses throughout the United States and across the globe.
HOW WE SERVE
We establish safe, trust, confidential relationships with ministry leaders to increase their health, ward off disasters, and navigate them if they happen.
OUR STORY
After three generations of their family experiencing the pain and devastation of losing their pastors to burnout or infidelity, Jim and Debbie Hogan felt God’s call to create a ministry designed to strengthen and encourage ministry couples. As a result, Standing Stone was founded in 2002 in Chromo, Colorado at the Hogan’s log home on the Navajo River. Now 18 years later, Standing Stone has a national reach and is committed to caring for and serving ministry couples who need to be supported, understood, and encouraged to find the appropriate balance for thriving while facing their unique set of challenges.
WHAT PASTORS & SPOUSES
SAY ABOUT OUR SHEPHERDS
For the first time my wife was able to connect with someone who really understands the daily stress of the expectations our congregation puts on her and our family.
Bob & Joyce T. (TX)
Your vision for ministry has not only blessed our lives, but will be a blessing to the lives of those we reach.
Roger & Renee V. (CA)
It was clear to see the driving force behind this mentoring couple was integrity, along with an open heart to what the Holy Spirit would do through them.
Tim & Hilary T. (TN)
HOW TO BECOME A SHEPHERD
INQUIRE and APPLY
Standing Stone Ministry Shepherds are selected after an extensive vetting process that helps identify men and women who have ministry experience and have the demonstrated heart, health, and integrity to guide other ministry leaders.
After learning about Standing Stone and the shepherding role by watching the required video series, and after approval of an application, background check, and reference check, qualified applicants will be invited to attend a Standing Stone Ministry Shepherd Training.
GET TRAINED
Standing Stone Shepherds receive three days of training at a regional location.
You’ll receive all training materials needed to succeed in developing a trusted, confidential relationship with pastors, ministry leaders, missionaries, and graduating seminary students.
You’ll also be trained in Standing Stone protocols, guidelines, support-raising, and expectations of being a Shepherd.
RAISE SUPPORT
Shepherds are compensated by raising ministry support from family, friends, former church members, and other relationships developed over a lifetime of ministry.
We know this can be intimidating. We offer extensive hands-on training and step-by-step support to raise funds needed for your new ministry.
MINISTER
As a Shepherd, you’ll:
- Develop trusted, confidential relationships with ministry leaders and meet with them regularly.
- Pray weekly for them.
- Coach and consult with them from your wealth of ministry experience.
- Encourage ministry couples to attend a Standing Stone retreat.
FAQS
You will fill out an application online. You will be asked to provide information on current and past employment in ministry fields and provide references. You can expect the process of evaluating your application information and checking your references to take approximately two weeks.
Each three-day training event includes training in the Standing Stone “way” of shepherding and raising your support by developing a team of financial ministry partners. You will be provided with a training manual, some meals, snacks, and drinks. Hotel/transportation costs and other meals can be reimbursed from the funds you raise before your training session.
There will be multiple options for dates and locations within the calendar year. The Standing Stone team will assist you in making the determination on which date and location will be right for you.
Absolutely! We already have both men and women shepherds serving individually and couples serving together as teams at Standing Stone. We highly value men and women who desire to care for ministry leaders and their spouses to provide a safe harbor where they can process their personal issues and challenges confidentially and safely.
Yes. Standing Stone is a faith-financed ministry, which means that we trust God and depend on the generosity of donors such as individuals, churches, or other organizations to support each of our Shepherds. It is the responsibility of each Shepherd to build a team that financially supports their work with Standing Stone, allowing them to concentrate on their ministry. Building a financial support team is included in the training that each incoming Shepherd receives from Standing Stone.
You will be asked to sign a partnership agreement that will be renewed each year if mutually agreed upon. This yearly agreement can end early based on written notification by the Shepherd and/or Standing Stone.
