Ben Sternke

Field notes on life and mission with God after Christendom

Coaching/Speaking

I serve the wider church through coaching, speaking, and training.

I have been involved in Christian ministry since 1995 in a variety of contexts: leading worship, international missions, full-time pastoral work in a large church, church planting, coaching and training church leaders, and content development.

Coaching:

I coach leaders through Gravity Leadership, an organization I co-founded that focuses on helping leaders:

  • Lead like Jesus
  • Live on mission
  • Multiply disciples

Here are some comments from people that I’ve coached:

John Tracy, a church planter in Fort Mill, SC says,

Ben has a prophetic instinct as a coach– he seems to know just what to hone in on in our sessions as we process the challenges and opportunities of church planting. This is not only helping me to grow as a follower of Jesus and a leader– it is showing me how simple it can be to make disciples who make disciples.

Naomi Lippett, an artist, musician, and church leader in Vancouver, B.C. says,

Huddle has been a place of transformation for me and subsequently the lives of those around me. Discipleship has become central to my who I am – to be a disciple of Jesus and also to disciple others. I’m thankful.

Paul McMullen, a church planter in Vancouver, B.C. says,

Having a coaching huddle with Ben has been an integral step in preparing to lead my own huddle.  Coaching via conference call is not always easy, but Ben does a good job making sure everyone has the opportunity to participate and receive feedback. Being in a coaching huddle involves learning discipling strategies, but it also is about being discipled.  I’ve grown as a leader through my coaching times with Ben, and I’ve been challenged to live a life more reflective of Jesus.

Phil Pelz, a youth pastor in Fort Wayne, Indiana, says:

Ben’s coaching has been instrumental in strengthening my walk with the Lord. He is an amazing coach who knows when and how to push hard and when and how to encourage. I have learned so much from Ben’s teaching and through the life he lives.

Rev. Nicole Reilly, a UMC pastor and pioneer of house churches in Southern California says,

I find my time in huddle with Ben enables me to be a stronger, more God centered leader. He helps me see where God is active in my life and how I can build upon what God is already doing in my life.  I look forward to this time in my busy week!

Luke Dalach, a church planter in Northwest Indiana, says,

What I appreciate most about Ben’s coaching is his ability to bring depth of insight and timely challenges with a relational and unassuming posture. Ben’s coaching and the accountability for learning in a huddle will be key for our initial stages of starting missional communities.

If you’re interested in learning more about my coaching services, contact me.

Speaking:

I’m also available to speak at church services, spiritual retreats, seminars, conferences, and leadership consultations. Topics I love to focus on are:

  • Discipleship and Mission
  • Missional Communities
  • Discipling Leaders Using Huddles
  • Church Planting
  • The Gospel of the Kingdom
  • Practical Spiritual Formation
  • Theological Foundations for Mission

… and generally anything else I write about on this blog.

Here’s a short talk I did at a conference in 2015:

If you’re interested in having me speak at your event, contact me.