Inspired by a summer sabbatical with many long motorway trips to Keswick, Gatwick, Wales, and Cornwall, Keep Right launched in 2024 by Damian Platt. Whilst on the motorway, the quirky satnav voice instructed "keep right at the fork." After many days of driving, this phrase stuck with Damian throughout the summer to the point where "keep right at the fork" wouldn't go away. It dawned on him that it's a phrase that sums up the junction many church leaders find themselves facing at different eras of ministry. Sometimes we know where we're heading. The path is clear, obvious, and straight ahead. At other times, over the long haul, the busyness, strain and stress of ministry can push us off course. It's easy to find ourselves drifting, fighting fires, and led by the expectations of others. Sometimes we need someone to say "keep right at the fork" to help us get to where we intend. Keep Right might be a way for some church leaders to recentre and keep on course for the long haul. No one said we have do it all alone! Keep Right is for church leaders by church leaders - peer to peer support.

Recent research (Barna) suggests that 40% of church leaders have considered leaving local church ministry in the last 12 months. This says something about the challenges church leaders face. People often say church ministry is a marathon and not a sprint. It's a good and helpful phrase. But if we're honest, the thought of a 100 metre sprint, even if we come last, sounds less exhausting than a 26 mile marathon! Marathons produce blisters, cramp, muscle injuries and sore feet. The marathon of ministry isn't easy. Seminary training, theological courses, and online learning equip the church leader with vital knowledge and skills before the starters order. Keep Right is set up to support the church leader en route, to provide a pit stop, some good advice, and clear pointers of where the next turn might take you.

For each person the support might look different. As a minimum it can involve regular zoom calls, prayer support, leadership coaching, wellbeing mapping, and guidance around rest and sabbaticals. Topics such as vision casting and strategy are also covered. Most of all, theological reflection is high up on the agenda.

Get in touch to explore any guidance and support you might be looking for.