Testimonials

From Confusion to Clarity

Jim provided fresh perspective and direction, equipping us to be more effective leaders for the season ahead. He really immersed himself in our ministry context, which made his suggestions and ongoing coaching more relevant than we had anticipated. Jim’s thoughtful, prayerful words ministered to us and gave us the confidence we needed to move forward.

Jim Pace and Discerning Partners really helped focus and implement our fundraising strategy. As a new non-profit, they helped us understand how to connect with both large and small donors. They gave us clear direction each step of the way.

Jim Pace has designed a program to help churches learn how to communicate, disagree, and believe the best in the other person. He is incredibly knowledgeable in the field of Christianity and sexual ethics. He is patient, willing to answer any and all questions, and committed to seeing the will of God done in every church.

I have been encouraged both personally and professionally by Jim’s coaching over this past year. His supportive yet challenging insights into my life and ministry have helped guide me to lead missional change within the traditional churches that I serve. I deeply appreciate his open and approachable style which has allowed me the freedom to be myself and ask honest tough questions. He really knows his stuff, I can count on him not only to provide an understanding of missional principles, but also a constructive dialogue about how to apply them in my context.

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.

He’s helped us work through really pragmatic issues like staffing, human resourcing systems, board processes as well as more nuanced leadership questions like culture, vision sharing, and team dynamics. There have been multiple difficult situations in our church that Jim helped us navigate with grace and wisdom.

Jim is a winsome, kindhearted guide. He doesn’t feel like a coach, giving advice from a distance; Jim is more like a wise partner. His guidance isn’t cookie-cutter like I have experienced with other church planting coaches. His experience and wisdom has been incredibly helpful as we launch a church that doesn’t fit the typical evangelical church plant.