1. The Best Start Project
Equipping Pastors and Congregations Within the First 24 Months
of Ministry Together
Tools and Insights for Pursuing God's Dream

2. Rev. Ken Crawford,
Cofounder
ken@onebeststart.com
Whit Dreher, Cofounder
whit@onebeststart.com

3. How does a
new pastor
navigate the
challenges of
leading a new
congregation?

4. A new pastor has all
of the authority, but
has not yet earned
influence or trust
If the pastor moves too
quickly, he/she may be
viewed as insensitive.
Move too slowly, the staff
and congregation may ask
“Where’s the leadership?
Where's the creativity?"

5. The congregation
may be grieving
the loss of a
beloved former
pastor.
The staff may be
insecure about
their future and
the expectations of
a new leader.

6. Add to that the
goals and
expectations
the pastor and
Conference
have for this
new fledgling
relationship

8. Without assistance, this
relationship may never fulfill
God’s Dream

9. But there is
a better way. . .

10. The Best Start
Project

11. Best Start serves as a catalyst for hastening the growth of
healthy relationships between the new pastor, staff, and
congregation

12. Most importantly, Best Start helps everyone reach a
unified vision for their church going forward

13. Best Start
accelerates
• building healthy pastor-parish and
pastor-staff relationships
• building trust and easing grief
• gaining invaluable community and
congregational insights that might
never be discovered
• casting a vision for the future
direction of the church
• gaining agreement and alignment
from pastor, staff, and congregation
for a desired path forward

14. How does a Best Start Project work?

15. Best Start for the congregation
• Weekly coordinated sermons, study and devotional resources
• Facilitated conversations with various constituencies within the church
• Congregational future story development with strategic planning
• 12 months of support as you live into God’s dream for your ministry

16. Best Start for the staff
• Leadership style assessments and team coaching for church staff
• Geo-demographic/psychographic profile of congregation and
community with analysis and interpretation
• Preliminary and comprehensive reports with walk through

17. The Best Start
Project is
completed in
just 7 weeks!
With quarterly
follow up coaching
calls with pastor and
staff

18. Support from James Jackson, D.M.,
Senior Pastor of Chaplewood UMC,
Houston, TX
"Twenty years ago, when I came to be the Senior Pastor of the Chapelwood
United Methodist Church in Houston, I made use of a ministry similar to Ken's
"Best Start Project." It was a tremendous help in giving me the momentum
that I needed in those early years. More recently, I have looked around for a
similar program to recommend to pastors who were moving to new parishes.
Unfortunately, similar programs no longer exist. So when I heard what Ken
was doing, I asked for the privilege of writing this letter of endorsement. I
believe in Ken, and I believe in the importance of the ministry he is offering.
Ken Crawford's "Best Start Project" gives a pastor his or her best shot at
bringing renewal to a congregation. I wholeheartedly recommend both Ken
and his program!"

19. Invest in God’s dream…
• Our fee is calculated
based on the size of
the congregation
ranging from $4,750
to $9,500+
• Our fee might be
compared to one
additional salary
payment for the new
pastor
• When you think
about it, it’s a small
amount given the
investment you're
already making

20. Best Start Project Leadership
Ken Crawford, Cofounder
Ken spent the last 25 years serving pastoral ministries across several denominations, along with work in non-profit, for
profit and government based settings. His greatest passion in ministry it to equip others to fulfill their calling. For the last 15
years Ken has been developing a variety of leadership formation skills and competencies, including coaching, assessments,
facilitation and context discovery. Most recently he completed a certificate in spiritual direction and is finishing the Doctor of
Ministry degree at Perkins School of Theology, SMU. Ken and his wife Laura have two growing children, one finishing high
school and the other moving into middle school. These three are the light of his life and his greatest source of joy beside his
relationship with Christ. They love to spend time together at the beach, playing games, and sharing what they read with each
other.
Whit Dreher, Cofounder
Whit Dreher has been an active lay leader , volunteer and board member of non-profit organizations throughout his life,
with a faith formation in both the United Methodist and Presbyterian denominations. His business career spans more than 25
years in corporate sales, strategic marketing planning, market research, and communications planning. Industries include
publishing, internet, pharmaceutical, and advertising/public relations consulting in both Fortune 500 and small – midsized
organizations. Whit and his wife Lori have two active children in elementary and high school. Lori is a fifth grade language
arts teacher. Whit, Lori and the kids love spending time together and supporting each other at lacrosse tournaments, dance
recitals, and choir and theatre productions. When the opportunity arises, they love to go to the beach.

21. Welcome Aboard Best Start Crew!
Lot’s to do – we need all of your talents, skills, communication, outreach, energy,
and most importantly prayers to help us reach our destination!

22. Let’s set sail for your Best Start!
Thank You!
Please contact us: (844) 458-0085
info@onebeststart.com