What Pinnacle Leadership Associates does

Pinnacle Leadership Associates is a privately-held professional services firm founded by Rev. Mark Tidsworth in 2008 and headquartered in Chapin, South Carolina. The firm delivers coaching, consulting, and training services to churches, clergy, denominational entities, lay leaders, and faith-based non-profits, with an explicitly ecumenical positioning across Christian traditions. Its service portfolio spans individual and group leadership coaching, adaptive church transformation engagements (Transforming Church Initiatives including Shift, Visioning/Crossroads, and Personal Design), child protection policy work (Keeping Kids Safe), Enneagram-based coaching and training (Ascend Enneagram), and church-tailored web design services.

The business operates through a portfolio of sub-brands: Summit Coach Training (ICF Level One accredited coach education program), Consultant Academy (church consulting training), Clergy Collective (community of practice with tracks such as Crossing Thresholds, AI in Ministry, and Moms & Ministry), Pinnacle West (Western US regional services launched Summer 2024), Pinnacle Leadership Press (publishing arm), and Navigating GriefLand (8-week grief support program). Underlying the service delivery are proprietary methodologies, notably the Disciple Development Coaching six-step model and the Peoplemap personality/relationship mapping system.

Revenue is generated across multiple professional services streams rather than a single line. Coach training courses are priced at $175-$695 per course with mentor coaching and performance evaluation as add-ons; consulting training (Consultant Academy) is $995 for the Foundations Course and $850 for the Practicum, with a $1,845 bundle; leadership coaching cohorts range from $625-$1,395 for multi-month engagements; and customized training tracks (e.g., Keeping Kids Safe $250-$1,750, Enneagram workshops $500-$995) plus Pinnacle West events at $20-$35 per registration and digital downloads via Pinnacle Leadership Press. Distribution combines direct sales (free 30-minute exploratory conversations, custom consulting), self-serve online registration, and community-led referrals through Clergy Collective cohorts. Marketing reaches customers via a weekly blog/e-newsletter, the Pastor Life Podcast, Pinnacle West blog, webinars, in-person retreats, and ICF-accredited credibility.

Name

Pinnacle Leadership Associates

Legal name

Pinnacle Leadership Associates

Website

https://pinnlead.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pinnacle Leadership Associates is a private consulting firm that provides coaching, consulting, and training services to churches, clergy, and denominational leaders across the United States, operating through sub-brands including Summit Coach Training, Pinnacle West, Ascend Enneagram, and Pinnacle Leadership Press.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Church Leadership Consulting

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

C-Suite & Senior Executive Coaching (EDABANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development (EDABAAAA), Executive Leadership Summits (C-Suite, Board, Strategy Offsites) (THAHAMAA)

Keywords

• Church leadership consulting
• Clergy coaching services
• Faith-based training
• Executive coaching
• Organizational development

Headquarters

HQ city

Chapin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Coach Training Courses: Summit Coach Training offers ICF-accredited courses ranging from introductory to advanced levels; courses priced at $175-$695 per course with performance evaluations and mentor coaching available as add-ons.
2. Consultant Academy: Foundations of Church Consulting Course ($995) and optional Practicum ($850) for those seeking to become church consultants; bundled option available at $1,845.
3. Leadership Coaching: Individual and group coaching services for clergy and church leaders; coaching groups meet monthly with 6-10 participants led by Pinnacle coaches; priced through coaching cohort registrations ($625-$1,395).
4. Church Consulting Services: Consulting engagements with churches and denominations for adaptive transformation; process-oriented engagements integrating contextual dynamics with Pinnacle's experience.
5. Training and Workshops: Customized training programs including Keeping Kids Safe (Track 1: $250, Track 2: $500, Track 3: $1,750), Enneagram workshops, and leadership retreats.
6. Events and Webinars: Pinnacle West events and seminars priced at $20-$35 per registration; Churchcraft monthly series and various workshops available.
7. Publishing: Pinnacle Leadership Press publishes books and resources including Disciple Development Coaching and The Coaching Leader; digital downloads available.
8. Web Design Services: Website design services for churches combining deep knowledge of church needs with technical web development capabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Pinnacle Leadership Associates delivers coaching, consulting, and training services to churches, clergy, denominational entities, and faith-based non-profits. Through brands including Summit Coach Training (ICF-accredited), Pinnacle West (Western US regional services), Ascend Enneagram, and Consultant Academy, the firm provides leadership development, adaptive church transformation, child/youth protection policy consulting, and credentialed coach education.

Product overview

Pinnacle Leadership Associates is a services-based organization offering coaching, consulting, and training for churches, clergy, and denominational leaders. The portfolio includes core services (Coaching, Consulting, Training, Web Design) supplemented by specialized programs: Summit Coach Training (ICF-accredited coach education), Consultant Academy (church consulting training), Clergy Collective (communities of practice with Crossing Thresholds and AI in Ministry tracks), Ascend Enneagram (personality-based coaching and training), and Transforming Church Initiatives (adaptive change programs including Shift, Crossroads, and Personal Design). Supporting offerings include Keeping Kids Safe (child protection), Missional Sermon-Based Small Groups, Navigating GriefLand, Pinnacle West (regional Western US services), Pinnacle Leadership Press publishing, and Pastor Life Podcast. The company operates primarily as a service provider rather than a software product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Summit Coach Training: ICF Level One accredited coach training program equipping coaches to guide others in personal and professional growth
• Ascend Enneagram
• Navigating GriefLand
• Pinnacle Leadership Press
• Pastor Life Podcast

Products and services

• Coaching Individual and group leadership coaching services for clergy, church staff, and lay leaders exploring possibilities and moving forward boldly in their ministries.
• Consulting Church and organizational consulting services that design processes integrating contextual dynamics with experienced guidance to support strong forward movement.
• Training Customized training programs designed for teams and individuals ready to reach new heights in their unique developmental goals.
• Web Design Website design services combining deep knowledge of church needs with technical expertise to create websites congregations are proud to showcase.
• Summit Coach Training ICF Level One accredited coach training program offering courses from introductory to advanced levels for those seeking to become credentialed coaches or use coaching skills in ministry settings.
• Consultant Academy Church consulting training program with Foundations Course and Practicum components designed to equip practitioners with skills needed for church consulting ministry.
• Clergy Collective A community of practice for clergy pursuing leadership effectiveness through monthly seminars and coaching groups, with tracks including Crossing Thresholds, AI in Ministry, and Moms & Ministry.
• Ascend Enneagram Enneagram training and coaching services for individuals, teams, and groups, including workshops, retreats, typing interviews, and coaching focused on discovering motivations.
• Pinnacle West Regional expression of Pinnacle services focused on pastors, leaders, churches, and denominations in the Western United States, offering coaching, consulting, presentations, and training.
• Transforming Church Initiatives Church transformation programs including Shift (one-year initiative), Crossroads (one and a half-year denominational initiative), and Personal Design (custom single-church initiatives) for cultivating healthy, missional adaptive change.
• Keeping Kids Safe Child and youth protection policy consultation and training services with three track options (Foundation, Sentinel, Fortress) providing churches with policies, training, and background check support.
• Navigating GriefLand An 8-week group program providing healing and support for churches and faith-based organizations to offer grief support to their communities.
• Missional Sermon-Based Small Groups A system integrating Sunday worship, faith formation, fellowship, local mission, and prayer into weekly small group rhythms, led by Rev. Dr. Doug Cushing.
• Pinnacle Academy An academy hosting learning resources and programs offered through Pinnacle Leadership Associates.
• Pinnacle Leadership Press Publishing arm producing books and resources from Pinnacle Associates and aligned authors on coaching, leadership, and church topics.
• Interim Transitions Service supporting churches during pastoral and organizational transition periods.
• Crossing Thresholds Leadership growth experience addressing 8 emerging dynamics every church must navigate, including hyper-engaged post-religious culture, identity deconstruction, shifting volunteerism, and technological change.
• AI in Ministry A 6-session clergy collective track teaching clergy how to utilize AI tools in ministry settings including worship planning, sermon preparation, and pastoral care.
• Moms & Ministry Coaching Cohort A 9-month coaching cohort supporting mothers in ministry, led by Rev. Dana Seiler, meeting second Thursdays at 1pm EST via Zoom.
• Pastor Life Podcast Podcast where hosts discuss ministry, church, family, and culture topics, available on Soundcloud, iTunes, and other podcast platforms.
• SpiritFlow Service offering for churches under the For Churches category of Pinnacle Leadership Associates.
• ReShaping Church A process for churches wanting to live into greater expressions of the body of Christ, helping Christ-followers and churches discover God's calling within a volatile world.
• Making the Shift

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates can apply for ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Center for Congregational HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Center for Congregational Health to co-offer Summit Coach Training. Beth Kennett serves as coordinator of coaching services at the Center while also serving as Director of Education for Summit Coach Training. Joint provision of coach training programs.
• International Coaching Federation (ICF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICF provides accreditation for Summit Coach Training as a Level One provider. All courses comply with ICF Code of Ethics, Core Competencies, and Program Accreditation Code of Conduct. Graduates can apply for ICF ACC credential.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Others

• NetVUE (Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education): Network of faith-based institutions supporting vocational discernment and leadership formation, often partnering with seminary and higher-education programs. Adjacent to Pinnacle's faith-based leadership development work but focused on undergraduate rather than clergy cohorts.
• International Coaching Federation (ICF): Global credentialing body for professional coaches, providing accreditation to coach training programs like Pinnacle's Summit Coach Training. Ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor, but the partnership structure shapes Pinnacle's program design and credentialing pathway.

Direct peers

• Auxano: Church consulting and coaching firm specializing in vision clarity, generosity campaigns, and leadership development for pastors and church teams. Comparable to Pinnacle's consulting engagements, Pinnacle Academy training, and Summit Coach Training offerings.
• The Unstuck Group: Faith-based church consulting firm that helps congregations navigate strategic challenges, change initiatives, and turnaround situations. Highly comparable to Pinnacle's Transforming Church Initiatives and Crossing Thresholds programs - both target adaptive change in declining or transitioning churches.
• Slingshot Group: Faith-based leadership consulting firm providing executive coaching, team development, and consulting for pastors, ministry leaders, and Christian nonprofits. Directly comparable to Pinnacle's coaching cohorts, leadership development programs, and clergy-focused training stack.
• Center for Congregational Health: Faith-based consulting and coaching provider serving clergy and congregations through coaching, consulting, and leadership development. Pinnacle's existing strategic partner (Beth Kennett serves as coordinator of coaching services at CCH while also serving as Director of Education for Summit Coach Training), making it both a peer and partner.
• Church Answers (ChurchLawAndTax / Church Initiative): Christian organization providing church leadership resources, training, and child protection policy support. Comparable to Pinnacle's Keeping Kids Safe workshops, leadership training programs, and content resources.
• Transforming Solutions: Church consulting and coaching firm focused on helping pastors and congregations navigate change, leadership transitions, and conflict. Comparable to Pinnacle's Interim Transitions, coaching engagements, and adaptive change offerings.

Regional players

• Christianity Today Institute: Media and training organization serving evangelical church leaders through publications, events, and leadership programs. Comparable audience (pastors and church leaders) and content-driven GTM, though operates at larger scale and through media channels rather than bespoke coaching engagements.

Emerging players

• Carey Nieuwhof: Leadership content platform serving church leaders through podcasts, conferences, online courses, and coaching. Comparable to Pinnacle's content-driven GTM (Pastor Life Podcast, blog) and cohort-based training, though heavier on creator-led media than bespoke coaching engagements.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pinnlead
• Facebookfacebook.com/pinnlead
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/summit-coach-training

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pinnacle Leadership Associates