For many years, I’ve introduced myself by saying: “Hi, my name is Ed, and I have the best job on earth.” As you might imagine, that has led to some wonderful conversations. I don’t consider that introduction to be insincere or hyperbole.
I believe that in serving pastors and churches nationwide, I’m “completing the work God gave me to do” (John 17:4). I’ve determined that it is extremely rare for someone to love his work as much as I do. I truly have a blessed life.
Ecclesiastes 2:24 – There is nothing better for a man than to find satisfaction in his work. This pleasure comes from the hand of God.
Every pastor needs and deserves a friend who can listen to his challenges and dreams and respond with wisdom and godly counsel. I’m thankful that God has allowed me to be that kind of friend to so many pastors. Since I’m not emotionally attached to their situations or their teams, I can offer objective feedback, input, suggestions, and solutions.
I’ve said to many lead pastors over the years: “I could never do what you do, but if you’ll allow me to assist you, I can help you do what you do more effectively.”
Some of the pastors I serve are hurting deeply and need encouragement. Others are leading thriving churches and deserve to be celebrated. I’m blessed and grateful to be used by God in either circumstance.
I recently stumbled across some notes from August 2017 when I was on a retreat to write my EFM Business Plan (thank you to Ps Jeff Little and Milestone Church for suggesting and funding that time away). After setting the fees for my initial four services [Coaching, Consulting, Communicating, and Connecting], I committed to “one day serve churches at no cost.”I believe that “one day” is here!
BIG NEWS: Beginning in January 2026 (just before my 65th birthday), I will no longer charge coaching fees – I will be 100% dependent on donations to provide my salary and cover my ministry expenses. In taking this step of faith, I’m trusting God to significantly increase contributions to EFM. I plan to work two more years using this new model.
2 Corinthians 11:8 – I accepted pay from other churches and took their money so that I could serve your church at no cost.
Over the last several years, I’ve had some health challenges that impact my quality of life. To compensate, I eliminated ministry travel [Consulting and Communicating] and focused solely on video coaching from my home office while I continue to pray for a restorative miracle with my bladder.
Even though I reduced the services I offer, God has kept me plenty busy and He has faithfully provided everything that we need financially. His track record is solid. I’m confident He will continue to take care of us.
Please read these questions & responses to better understand EFM’s history and how you can help me accomplish my work moving forward.
How many years has Ed Funderburk Ministries existed?
After serving 33 years in pastoral ministry (five different churches), I launched EFM in the Fall of 2017.
How do I assist pastors and churches?
My primary goal as a coach: I want to be easy to talk to about hard things.
I coach lead pastors, executive pastors and teams, young leaders being groomed for future promotions, and a few under-performing staff members who may benefit from an outside voice.
I encourage pastors to pursue personal and professional health so they can lead and grow healthy, life-giving churches. I provide wisdom, counsel, and best practices to those I coach. I offer “emotionally detached” outside perspective – good old-fashioned “common sense.”
I work alongside pastors and churches to help shape their ministries and develop the structures necessary for implementing their stated goals and visions for maximum kingdom impact and regional influence.
The fruit of my ministry is healthy leaders, healthy teams, and healthy churches. Many of the pastors I assist are better positioned to fulfill the assignments they received from the Lord when they were called to ministry.
What changes am I making to how I serve churches?
Nearly 20 years ago, my friend and co-worker, Marcus Brecheen (who now serves on the EFM Board), pulled me aside and challenged me: “Ed, in order for you to have the influence you desire, you need to learn to do the opposite of what comes naturally to you.” That proved to be a life-changing conversation. His loving encouragement did not have a one-time application. That instruction has come to my aid on numerous occasions since.
As I was praying about EFM’s future [my final two years of work], I was reminded of Marcus’s encouragement once again. The opposite of what comes naturally to me in this “closing chapter” season of ministry will require that I live by faith, that I trust God more than I trust myself, and that I become more flexible and less rigid in how I serve pastors and churches.
I believe God is asking me to make a few specific changes to my coaching model for 2026 and 2027. I will no longer offer the Silver, Gold, and Platinum coaching packages with set fees. I will move to a less structured and more relational, spontaneous – call as needed – model. It is my heart’s desire to finish well.
What type of financial assistance am I requesting?
I’m asking the Lord to speak to the hearts of my pastor friends [both current and former clients] to support EFM from your church’s Missions Budget. As a friend, coach, mentor, and advocate of pastors – consider me a “missionary” to the local church.
Current and Former Clients: If I’ve been a blessing to you and your church, I’m asking that you “pay it forward” and allow me to help others as I’ve helped you. In other words, invest in EFM so I can invest in other pastors. And yes, I will be available to help you and your team – but not because of your financial support. I will be available to you because of our history and friendship – simply because you ask for my input.
Please keep EFM in mind as you prepare your 2026 and 2027 budgets. I’m requesting monthly support but I would gladly receive one-time, annual, or end-of-year gifts. My hope is that you will participate in funding my final two years of vocational ministry.
Current Supporters: Since you love the local church and desire to see pastors encouraged, I’m asking that you continue to give to EFM for the next two years. I’m now inviting others to join what you’ve been doing all along! It would be a blessing if some of you could increase your gifts to provide a financial base to draw from as I move to 100% missional support.
How will I use financial gifts to EFM?
Your gifts will be used to assist pastors who contact me for advice, counsel, resources (articles, documents, relational connections) as well as wisdom in addressing staff challenges and church crises – even growth-related problems.
Your gifts will help to cover the essential ministry expenses and operational costs associated with owning a small business (health insurance, bookkeeping, IT assistance, technology and devices, website maintenance). Early on, I discovered that I start each year “$40,000 in the hole” before earning a dime.
EFM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry. All gifts received go into a ministry account – not to me personally. The EFM Board determines my salary and benefits which are taken from this account. Because we are debt free, we can live quite frugally. In my eight years of leading EFM, my salary has been reduced three times (by choice) but never increased.
Would you prayerfully consider investing in EFM? Thank you!
If you choose to partner with EFM, all gifts are tax deductible. We can set up an ACH connection (only takes five minutes) or, if you prefer, here are two easy ways to make donations.
Via PayPal here: EFM PAYPAL
Via Check – make payable & send to:
Ed Funderburk Ministries
10609 Melrose Lane
Keller TX 76244
Bethani and I certainly appreciate our ministry partnerships.
God’s best to you!
Ed Funderburk
edfunderburk.cc
817.301.5048
Your consistent financial gifts will make it possible for me to assist pastors who can’t afford to pay full coaching and consulting fees.
If you’d like to partner with us, here are two ways to make donations:
*Via Check – make payable & send to:
Ed Funderburk Ministries
10609 Melrose Lane
Keller TX 76244
*Via PayPal here:
