THE MINISTRY MBA

10 Practical Courses to Lead a Thriving Church

The Best Pastors Don't Lead Alone

I help growth-minded pastors lead through ministry pressure with clarity and confidence.

Pastoral Leadership Comes With a Pressure Few People Understand

Serving spiritually while operating organizationally is why pastoral leadership is so unique. And pressure-packed.

This dichotomy is why so many pastors feel confused, overwhelmed, tired, and stuck.

You’re not alone. And you’re not failing.

You’re just under pressure, and you’re probably unsure of what to do next.
 
Confidence, clarity, and margin are possible. 
 
You don’t need to escape the pressure.

What you need is a trusted, experienced advisor to help you navigate it. 

What pressures are weighing you down?

  1. Performance Pressure – The pressure to grow, preach well, and “produce results.”
  2. Organizational Pressure – Budgets. Systems. Volunteers. Calendars. Meetings.
  3. Relational Pressure – Staff tension. Congregational drama. Loneliness at the top.
  4. Cultural Pressure – Navigating political, social, and moral tension from all sides.
  5. Spiritual Pressure – Living faithfully while carrying others’ faith journeys.
  6. Emotional & Mental Pressure – The anxiety, decision fatigue, and constant urgency.
  7. Family Pressure – Trying to be present at home while always “on call.”

Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

– The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:28

Meet Your Ministry Strategist...

Gavin Adams is a highly sought-after communicator, bestselling author, and ministry consultant for growth-minded churches and their leaders.

As the founder of the Accelerate Consulting Advisory, he leverages over 20 years of ministry leadership experience to empower church leaders in maximizing their mission.

Gavin has played pivotal roles in planting, revitalizing, and leading churches, including expanding Woodstock City Church from 200 to over 8,000 weekly attendees.

With academic credentials including an M.B.A. from Georgia State University and a Masters and Doctorate of Ministry from Liberty University, Gavin offers insightful strategies through his books and dynamic presentations to global audiences. His collaborations with influential leaders like Andy Stanley and features on platforms such as the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast solidify his standing as a trusted authority in church leadership.

Make Progress in the Pressure:
A Clear, Custom Path Forward

Your church is unique — and so is the pressure you feel.

Ministry leadership doesn’t come with a manual, but that doesn’t mean you must figure it out alone.
My simple 3-step process doesn’t add more to your plate–it’s a framework that helps you get unstuck, address the problem, reclaim your margin, and lead with a plan you actually trust.

The Pressure Relief Pathway

1. PINPOINT THE PRESSURE

You can’t fix what you haven’t named. We’ll identify the sources of stress weighing you down—strategic, structural, personal, or relational—so you know exactly what’s working against you, your church, and your mission.

2. DESIGN A STRATEGY

Unique problems demand unique solutions. We’ll build a custom, practical plan designed for your church, your calling, and your current capacity. No more generic advice—just strategy that fits.

3. EXECUTE THE PLAN

Finally, we’ll move forward with clarity and confidence, knowing your next steps align with your mission and leadership style.

Ministry Will Always Be Challenging.

But You Can Gain More Clarity, Strength, and Confidence.

You may still face the same meetings, the same expectations, and the same Sunday rhythm — but the pressure doesn’t have to squeeze you anymore.
 
When you have a clear strategy, a sustainable rhythm, and space to think again, your leadership feels different. More energized. More aligned. More effective.

Pastors and Church Leaders Working With Me...

✅ Regain clarity on what really matters
✅ Feel confident in their leadership decisions
✅ Align their team and volunteers around a focused strategy
✅ Create breathing room in their calendar and mind
✅ Lead meetings, staff, and Sundays with purpose
✅ Experience more margin in ministry and life
Spiritual and organizational pressure never fully disappears. That doesn’t mean it has to feel crushing.

“As a coach, Gavin’s external perspective clarified our vision and helped us build a better model for our community. As a mentor, his ministry experience allows him to encourage our team while providing unique insight.”

Paul Smith, Senior Pastor, Rivertown Community Church - Marianna, FL

Confidence Begins With Clarity.

Most pastors feel the pressures of ministry leadership, but cannot name them.
 
That’s why I created this free assessment.
 
The Pressure Inventory helps you identify the seven types of hidden pressure shaping your leadership and gives you a clear starting point toward renewed energy, clarity, and focus.
 
It takes less than 5 minutes — and it’s completely free.
Your First Step Toward Confidence and Clarity

“Gavin is one of best at creating content and teaching others how to create compelling and clear communication. He coached our department heads through a communicator workshop and we all left feeling more equipped and empowered to in crafting messaging in our contexts.”

Holly Goddard, Director of Ministry Environments, North Point Community Church - Atlanta, GA

“In just two months, 122 people gave to Centerpoint Church for the very first time, and we added 18 new recurring givers! Working with Gavin on our generosity system gave us a plan to grow giving and fully fund our church.”

Bryant Golden, Senior Pastor, Centerpoint Church – Tampa, FL​

“These past few days have been so rich. The content is fabulous. It’s new. It’s stuff we’ve never really thought about before. It’s fresh and massively helpful.”

Duncan Banks, Network Director, Further Faster Church Network – UK

“Gavin has been incredibly helpful as a teaching pastor at our church while developing our communicators. He truly has a gift for extracting relevant, helpful message and series content and helping our communicators do the same.”

Chris Patton, Senior Pastor, Southside Church - Peachtree City, GA​

Let’s Relieve the Pressure — Together

No pressure. Just practical options that fit your season of leadership.

Whether you need a quick breakthrough, a strategic reset, or a long-term partner, there’s a next step that fits your season of leadership.

PRESSURE
VALVE SESSIONS

FREE Live Learning Labs to Help You Let Off Steam and Fix ONE Thing.

Short bursts of insight and strategy — no cost, no catch.
 
Join me for a 1-hour conversation where we tackle real pressure points in ministry and explore practical solutions you can use immediately.
 
Perfect if you’re unsure where to start or just need a fresh perspective.

LEADERSHIP
LABS

Step Back, Evaluate the Pressure, and Shape a Strategy That Fits

When leadership feels heavy, sometimes the best move is to pause. These live, guided working sessions give you space to think, clarify your priorities, and build a practical strategy designed for your church.
 
Whether you’re facing growth barriers or just need a fresh plan, this is where confident progress begins.
 
In-person and digital labs are available.
 
Ideal for pastors and leadership teams facing complexity, change, or growth barriers.

STRATEGIC
PARTNERSHIPS

Ongoing Strategic Support to Help You Lead with Confidence All Year Long.

If you want a trusted partner in your corner — someone who knows ministry, understands strategy, and brings outside perspective without pressure — this relationship is for you.
 
Think of it like adding an executive team member.
 
Designed for hungry and curious pastors ready to make things better.
CASE STUDY: GIVING at BEACHSIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH

Several churches working with us use this strategy to cultivate generosity. 

I recently visited Beachside Community Church in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and watched this strategy in action.

Jonathan, the lead pastor, stepped onto the stage after the worship set and, with great enthusiasm, said:

“I’m so glad you are all here to celebrate and experience our FOR Sunday. Because we are ‘FOR our community, every fourth Sunday we ask our church to support a worthy organization in the community. Last month we asked you to give and serve with the Hope Shelter, and you came through for them in a huge way.”

Jonathan shared the serving numbers and giving amount for the Hope Shelter. They raised over $4,000 and served 40 or so total hours with this organization. After this celebration, Jonathan made the ask for this month:

“Today, we have an opportunity to do more good in our community and help another great organization go further, faster. Give a Kid a Chance is an organization focused on helping students in impoverished areas go to college and grow educationally. Our goal is to provide one or two fully scholarships for these kids and have several of you participate as a mentor. To investigate serving opportunities, you can use the QR code on the seat back. Our generosity goal is 100% participation. You can give a few dollars or a few thousand dollars.”

Now, here is where the magic happens. Remember, this is an on-ramp for people, so they need to take the first step.

“What we love about these FOR Sunday’s is that every penny you give FOR the community goes straight out the door into the community. We even cover the administrative costs and credit card fees! I know many of you have been burned by generosity in the past or struggle to trust the church with your money. I get that. If you give to this FOR opportunity today, we don’t keep or use a single penny. I hope you will go our website or use the QR code on the seatback to give. “

Another church in our growing community did this for the first time a few weeks ago, and 11 people who had never given to their church gave to a community organization through their church.

This type of on-ramp requires some follow-up and nurturing for givers, but it works. Why? It’s an easy step for anyone to take.

The same method works for engaging people to serve. Find individual moments where people who don’t yet volunteer can give an hour. Invite them specifically and create an incredible serving moment for them. It doesn’t feel like much, but it’s a step in the right direction. One that they can and will more likely take.

Discover the Sermon Strategies Driving Growth in America’s Fastest Growing Churches

We’ve compiled a spreadsheet detailing the last 12 sermon series from the 100 fastest-growing churches in America.