partnering with you to go

from confusion

to clarity

[01] DISCERNMENT

Discerning Partners Announces Capital Campaign Consulting Partnership with

the Ascent Network



• Discerning Partners is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Ascent Network, bringing specialized capital campaign guidance to a community whose reach extends to nearly 2,500 churches through its participating networks and partners.


Capital campaigns are significant moments in the life of a church. Whether purchasing property, renovating facilities, or creating space for expanding ministry, churches need a clear vision, a realistic funding strategy, and a team prepared to lead the effort together.

Through this partnership, churches connected with Ascent have a trusted starting point for exploring, preparing for, and conducting a capital campaign. Discerning Partners provides readiness studies, campaign strategy, donor engagement coaching, and guidance throughout the campaign process.

We come alongside church leaders as genuine partners, helping build teams that share the work so pastors and staff do not carry the campaign alone. Throughout the process, we help leaders and congregations remain attentive to what the Spirit is doing in their midst. Our goal is to help churches fund meaningful Kingdom work while strengthening the community through the experience.

This partnership reflects Discerning Partners’ respect for Ascent’s mission and the work it is pursuing, as well as Ascent’s confidence in Discerning Partners as a trusted capital campaign guide for its associated churches. Whether leaders simply want to ask a few initial questions or are seeking a partner to guide them through an entire campaign, the relationship offers a welcoming place to begin.

We look forward to serving alongside Ascent and helping more churches move from confusion to clarity as they prepare for their next faithful step.

If you are considering a capital campaign now or in the next year or two let us know! We intentionally work with only a limited number of churches at a time so each receives personal attention and consistent support throughout the process. Whether you have a few initial questions or are ready to explore next steps, click on the Reach Out button, and we will schedule a time with you!

the difference between us and them

Why Discerning Partners Is Different

• Most consulting firms start with a business model and then fit churches into it. Discerning Partners was built the other way around.


After 25 years on staff as a pastor at New Life Christian Fellowship, I knew what it felt like to be on the receiving end of consulting—what worked, what didn’t, and what churches actually need but rarely get.


Everything we do flows from that experience.


• We Price for Reality, Not the Market Ceiling


Churches shouldn’t have to settle for a “boxed version” of consulting because of cost.


At Discerning Partners, we intentionally cap our rates at the median cost—even though our work is fully customized, comprehensive, and shaped by decades of ministry experience.


You shouldn’t have to choose between quality and affordability.

Dr. Jim Pace - CFRE

• Founder, Discerning Partners

Jim Pace is an author, pastor, and the founder of Discerning Partners, an organization dedicated to guiding churches, organizations, and leaders from confusion to clarity. With more than three decades of ministry and leadership experience, Jim brings a unique blend of pastoral insight, strategic clarity, and hands-on campaign leadership to every engagement.


A graduate of Virginia Tech, Jim began his ministry in 1994 at New Life Christian Fellowship (NLCF) at Virginia Tech, where he served for over 25 years. During that time, he helped develop, launch, and coach multiple church plants, gaining deep experience in leadership development, organizational growth, and mission alignment. His academic and ministry background is further shaped by doctoral work in contextual theology, equipping him to help churches navigate complex decisions within their unique local contexts.


Over the past ten years, Jim has focused extensively on capital campaigns, working alongside churches to design, lead, and execute campaigns that are both spiritually grounded and strategically sound. He has a particular strength in coming alongside churches whose campaigns have stalled or struggled—often after years of delay—and helping them regain clarity, rebuild trust, and move forward with renewed momentum. His approach integrates disciplined planning, relational engagement, and spiritual discernment, resulting in campaigns that are not only successful financially but strengthening for the church as a whole.


In addition to his campaign work, Jim has been consulting for churches and coaching pastors for over twenty years. In May 2021, he transitioned to full-time consulting and coaching through Discerning Partners, serving churches, leadership teams, nonprofits, and denominational leaders across the United States and internationally. His work is marked by a commitment to partnership, walking with clients through the entire process rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, and helping them move forward with confidence, clarity, and faith.

what we offer

[01]

capital campaign management

$60million raised

[02]

on-site assessments

2-4

month process

[03]

sexual ethics conflict navigation

10-12

month process

[04]

personal & team coaching

3-12 month  agreements

What drew us to Jim was that it never seemed to feel like it was just business to him. He was invested.

- The Very Rev. Ken Weldon

There are a lot of people that use a one size fits all or playbook style approach to campaigns, but what I truly appreciate about Jim Pace at Discerning Partners was the effort he put in to tailor a unique approach for our specific context.

- Julia M

Discerning Partners made the difference for Camp Jubilee! He worked with our timetables and and our lack of expertise. Jim had just the right combination of flexibility and accountability. We met and exceeded our goal!

who we've worked with

HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU?

— start a conversation with Jim and Discerning Partners today

Let us know how we can serve you and how to get back to you!

Contact Us

There are a lot of people that use a one size fits all or playbook style approach to campaigns, but what I truly appreciate about Jim Pace at Discerning Partners was the effort he put in to tailor a unique approach for our specific context. Jim traveled to us and took the time required to really get his hands around our vision and our needs. His plan and continued coaching are already bearing fruit for our church sanctuary funding. It’s wonderful to be able to lean on someone who really knows pastoring, who also really knows fundraising and the interaction between them. He believes in the power of the Holy Spirit and that comes through in every part of his work. I recommend him to you for those reasons, but you will also find he is a joy to work with as well."

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