Start to Finish with Mark Dance

Pastors face daily demands of hitting targets of success in every area of life—for the long haul. How are pastors ever supposed to finish well? Pastor, author, and church planter Mark Dance joined us on Wake Up Right recently to discuss the very relevant topic of pastoral success, resilience, and burnout. Mark is the director of pastoral wellness at GuideStone Financial Resources, and in his new book, Start to Finish⁠, he helps ministry leaders find guidance to run the race well from start to finish. He gives pastors a vision of what their lives and ministries could look like when they love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength and love their neighbors as themselves. Mark desires to see pastors thriving in ministry in every season by strategically doing whatever it takes to stay healthy mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Hear the conversation with Mark Dance:

In both our conversation and his book, Mark highlights how important it is to start with being a Great Commandment pastor, missionary, or minister before being a Great Commission pastor, missionary, or minister. Speaking from both his own experience and struggles, as well as observing others’, Mark encourages pastors to take the very first step: simply asking for help. In Start to Finish, find guidance and encouragement–whether you’re just beginning your ministry or have been in ministry thirty years–to serve well, lead well, and finish well.

About the Author

Mark Dance served as a lead pastor/planter for 27 years before launching Lifeway Pastors, the Care4Pastors Network, and Oklahoma’s Ministry Pipeline. He currently serves as the director of pastoral wellness for GuideStone Financial Resources. Mark earned a BBA from Howard Payne University, an MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a DMin from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He speaks at conferences and seminaries and regularly contributes to books, blogs, and magazines. He and his wife Janet have two grown children and live in Dallas, Texas. They enjoy backpacking and leading ministry marriage conferences together across North America.

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