How We Empower Pastors’ Teams.
In recent years, we’ve all watched with grief as stories of pastoral moral failure have emerged, some in the headlines, others only whispered within communities. And while each pastor must answer for his own actions, these moments often raise deeper questions: Who was on the team? Were there warning signs? Did anyone feel safe or equipped enough to speak up?
The truth is, many leadership failures don’t happen in isolation. They unfold within teams, teams that may have lacked the courage, language, or emotional maturity to confront unhealthy dynamics as they emerged. Sometimes this comes from fear, sometimes from misplaced loyalty, and sometimes from simply not knowing how to recognize the signs.
That’s why at The Gathering, we don’t just disciple pastors—we empower their teams. We believe the future of the Nigerian Church depends on servant-hearted pastors and core leaders who embody humility, emotional intelligence, and spiritual accountability. Our goal is to see leadership teams that don’t tolerate toxicity or spiritual performance, but instead reflect the character of Christ in how they lead and how they relate to one another.
Inspired by 1 Peter 5:1–4, we’re raising up teams where shepherds lead with gentleness not domination, where authority is carried as stewardship, not status. We long to see pastors and their core leaders, elders, ministry heads, deacons leading not from pride or pressure, but from example, integrity, and mutual care.
Our process begins when a pastor completes our Soul Care Training. Once they’ve walked through the deep personal work of emotional and spiritual renewal, we partner with them to offer a customized, condensed version of our course for their core leadership team.
This shared experience allows the pastor and team to speak the same language of soul health, build mutual trust, and establish frameworks for honest, redemptive accountability.
Each team’s training is tailored to their specific needs. Topics include:
Biblical Eldership & Servant Leadership
Conflict Management & Team Dynamics
Emotionally Healthy Accountability
Forgiving What You Can’t Forget
Releasing Shame from Leadership Spaces
Sacred Pathways: Understanding Your Call and Calling of Others
At the heart of this training is our belief that a healthy church starts with a healthy leadership table. When every voice matters, when emotional maturity is valued alongside vision casting, and when confrontation is handled in grace rather than silence, teams begin to flourish, and leaders are protected, not propped up.
Each team also benefits from small group cohort structures, where members process content together, share vulnerabilities, and grow in mutual trust. These cohorts foster bonds that extend beyond the classroom, helping leaders sharpen one another as iron sharpens iron.
We don’t train leaders for platform. We train them for longevity, integrity, and depth. Because at the end of the day, leadership isn’t about how many follow you, it’s about how well you reflect Christ as you serve, shoulder-to-shoulder, with those He’s called to build with you.
