When Shepherds Need Shepherding: Chris Bowen's Story
- Matthew Bohling
- Aug 18
- 2 min read
In this powerful episode of the Church Renewal Podcast, we explore the transformative journey of Pastor Chris Bowen at New Covenant Fellowship, a PCA church in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Chris's story highlights the critical role that pastoral coaching plays in navigating church renewal, particularly following congregational trauma. When Chris accepted his role approximately two and a half years ago, he stepped into a situation marked by previous ministry challenges and congregational wounds that required careful, intentional leadership to address.
Understanding the complexity of his new role, Chris wisely sought outside support through Flourish Coaching. This decision demonstrates a profound truth about effective ministry leadership: acknowledging our limitations and seeking wisdom from others is not a sign of weakness but of spiritual maturity. Chris specifically wanted a coach who understood the nuances of PCA theology and polity, leading him to connect with Matt Bowling, who would become an invaluable partner in his renewal journey.
What makes this coaching relationship particularly effective was Matt's pastoral approach. Rather than functioning merely as a consultant offering clinical solutions, Matt served as a shepherd to the shepherd—creating a safe space for Chris to process ministry challenges, personal struggles, and strategic decisions. This confidential relationship allowed Chris to build vulnerability with Matt before he had established that level of trust with his session, providing crucial emotional and spiritual support during the transition.
The coaching partnership extended beyond personal mentorship to include practical church leadership tools. Matt introduced Chris and his session to the church life cycle model (incline, recline, decline), creating a shared vocabulary and framework for understanding their current reality. This outside perspective helped the leadership team gain clarity about their position and the steps needed for renewal. The value of Matt's third-party assessment cannot be overstated—it provided objective insights without the emotional entanglement that often comes with internal evaluation.
Perhaps most significantly, Matt helped Chris navigate difficult decisions necessary for church health. The first year of ministry involved processing complex situations that required both grace and decisive action. Matt's counsel proved invaluable in figuring out how to be "gracious and loving and kind" while still making tough choices to move the church forward. This balance between compassion and courage is often the difference between stalled renewal efforts and true transformation.
After two years of partnership with Matt, Chris reports significant improvement in both external metrics (budget, attendance) and internal health indicators (staff culture, elder alignment). What's particularly striking is Chris's genuine surprise at how well the renewal journey has progressed—a testament to God's grace through the coaching process. Chris and his wife have rediscovered the joy of ministry, finding themselves in what he calls a "ministry sweet spot" where trust is developing and gospel-centered leadership is taking root.
For pastors or sessions considering similar transitions, Chris offers clear advice: "Don't believe the lie that you're stronger than you really are." This humble recognition that we all need partners in ministry might be the most important lesson from this conversation. The myth of the solo, self-sufficient church leader continues to damage both pastors and congregations. As Chris's story demonstrates, seeking support through coaching can be the very thing that enables a pastor to lead effectively through seasons of change and challenge.
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