Hiring the right leader is only half the equation—launching them well is what turns a great hire into a lasting fit.
SmartStart™ is our strategic onboarding and coaching service designed specifically for new pastors and executive staff. It helps churches and leaders align early around mission, culture, and expectations so they can build trust, gain momentum, and thrive together from day one.
Standard Package
For churches seeking essential onboarding support
The Standard SmartStart™ package provides the foundational structure your new hire needs to start strong. It begins at the offer letter and includes a full six months of guided support:
This package ensures that both the church and the new leader move forward with shared expectations, steady communication, and confidence.
Elite Package
For churches seeking onboarding plus leadership coaching
The Elite SmartStart™ package includes everything in the Standard offering, plus extended coaching and access to ensure deeper development and stronger retention.
This package is ideal for churches hiring high-impact leaders who would benefit from personal growth, guided reflection, and real-time coaching throughout the first year.
SmartStart™ is for any church that wants to see a new staff member thrive—not just survive.
Whether you hired through Shepherd Staff, worked with another search firm, or found the right leader on your own, SmartStart™ helps you launch that hire with clarity, momentum, and long-term health. It’s designed for Lead Pastors, Executive Pastors, Worship Pastors, and other high-impact roles where starting well really matters.
Every church and every transition is different.
That’s why we customize SmartStart™ to fit your needs.
Whether you’re onboarding a Lead Pastor, Executive Pastor, or key ministry leader, we’ll tailor a plan that aligns with your goals, your culture, and your budget.
Schedule a call for pricing information.
Since 2006, Shepherd Staff has been helping churches across the country find and hire the right leaders—and we’ve built a reputation for excellence, integrity, and deeply relational service. Along the way, we’ve learned that hiring is only the beginning.
Our team has walked with hundreds of pastors and executive staff through the critical first year, and we’ve seen the patterns—what helps a leader succeed, and what causes avoidable setbacks. That’s why we created SmartStart™. It’s built on real-world experience and rooted in our desire to help leaders launch well, serve longer, and make lasting impact where God has called them.
Whether you’re bringing on a new Lead Pastor, Executive Pastor, or key ministry role, SmartStart™ is our way of making sure the right hire also becomes the right fit for the long haul.