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Thank you to the 1,400 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 questions!
I hope readingÂ
7 Questions with Perry Blankenship
helps you in your leadership.
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Cheers,
Jonno White
7 Questions with Perry Blankenship
Name: Perry Blankenship
Current title: Pastor
Current organisation: Fincastle First Church of God
Hello I am the Pastor of Fincastle First Church of God. I have been ministering for 28 years and a pastor 18 of those years. I am a professional counselor of 11 years. I work in a school system as Coordinator of student services, nutrition, attendance, and mental health. I have 8 different degrees.

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1. What have you found most challenging as a church leader?
Getting people committed to faithful church attendance and working within the church and the community.
2. How did you become a church leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?
I was raised in the church. After returning from Desert Storm/Shield I left the military and returned home. I followed my passion and desire to attend church. I met a lady while attending church and began to go to church with her and her family, we started a church with them and at that time I became a Deacon. After obtaining this role I found a hunger and desire to work for the kingdom of God in leadership. I began preaching and after about 6 years I found myself in my first pastoral role. I love helping people and love serving God.
3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?
My structure is very organized, I get up Monday through Friday and work in the school system from 8am to 4pm, I come home and do professional counseling for two hours every day but Wed. I do bible study over zoom on Wed night. On the weekend I spend time building relationships and give two hours of the evening doing counseling. Sundays are all dedicated to God and then Sunday night I do two more hours of counseling.
4. What's one book apart from the Bible that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?
Numerous books on trauma and the impact it has on the body has impacted my life to be a more understanding and compassionate leader.
5. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?
Not everyone comes to your church to see you succeed and your church grow.
6. How do you develop a healthy leadership pipeline in a church?
I spend time building relationships
7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a church leader so far?
The most meaningful time is when you have someone step up to follow in your footsteps and they ask you to be their mentor and to work under your ministry.