Joe Graves
Writer. Speaker. Coach.
Joe Graves is a pastor, entrepreneur, and consultant dedicated to rethinking assumptions and creating new possibilities in faith, leadership, and social impact. As the founding pastor of Central City Church—now Cityview Church—Joe has launched and supported numerous churches and nonprofits, including the Columbus Violence Reduction Fund, Little Bottoms Free Store, and the Ohio Writers Association. He is passionate about church renewal, justice, and empowering leaders to navigate change with creativity and compassion. With experience in church planting, organizational health, and nonprofit leadership, Joe brings practical insights and innovative strategies to help faith communities and mission-driven organizations thrive.
Creative Solutions for What’s Next
Churches & Nonprofits
For churches and nonprofit leaders—especially those launching new ministries or revitalizing existing ones—I offer coaching and training focused on mission clarity, communication, and leadership development. Together, we explore your organization’s story and discover ways to strengthen your brand, engage your community, and empower leaders to lead with authenticity and purpose. Whether you’re in a season of growth, change, or new beginnings, I’ll help you create strategies that align vision with your values.
Author Coaching
Every great book begins with a spark of an idea—but getting from that spark to a finished work can be overwhelming. As an author, coach, and speaker, I guide you through each step of the creative process—from idea generation and outlining to exploring publishing options. This isn’t editing; it’s partnership. I walk with you as you navigate the ups and downs of writing, helping you stay motivated, organized, and confident as you bring your message to life.
Neurodiversity Coaching
As someone who is both autistic and ADHD, I bring personal insight and professional experience to coaching neurodiverse professionals. Together, we’ll work on finding a healthy balance between professional expectations and authentic self-expression. Through focused, strengths-based coaching or dynamic workshops, you’ll learn strategies to navigate conflict, improve communication, and build resilience—so you can thrive as the best version of yourself. This is not counseling; it’s about unlocking your potential and learning to lead, live, and work with confidence and clarity.
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Free Resources. Affordable Coaching & Consultation
Values
Inclusion: We believe that everyone is a beloved child of God. This includes: people of every age, race, ethnicity, physical & mental capability, sexual orientation, gender identity, social & economic status, family configuration, religious affiliation, background, & any other distinguishing quality. We work hard to ensure our processes respect every person’s individuality and gifts.
Anti-Racists: As Christians committed to loving our neighbors, the pursuit of justice, and the importance of rejecting evil “in whatever forms they present themselves”, we condemn racism and the racist policies that plague our nation. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all and work hard with partners to ensure our processes keep in mind the diverse expressions of faith and social engagement found amongst people of faith.
Faith-Based, Doubt-Friendly: While we are unashamedly faith-based, we welcome questions and doubts and those from all walks of life and creeds. We value being a safe place—no matter where you are on your spiritual journey. We don’t limit our services to faith-based organizations or churches, but anyone who is willing to do their part in making the world a better place.
Every new idea starts with a blank page.
Welcome to Blank Page, a podcast & blog that invites you to see the world as a blank canvas for new ideas. In each episode/article, we will explore the intersections of creativity, social justice, entrepreneurship, and faith. Our goal is to take an honest look at ourselves, the world, and what’s possible with a little bit of creativity.
Recent Podcast Episodes:
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Joe Graves
Joe got his MDiv in Church Renewal from United Theological Seminary and Bachelor of Biblical Studies from Taylor University. He is an ordained Elder in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. In 2017, Joe and his wife planted Central City Church which later merged with St. Luke’s UMC to become Cityview Church. Joe is passionate about issues of justice, effective communication, and responsible generosity. Along with leading as a pastor, Joe is the President of the Ohio Writers’ Association & the Columbus Violence Reduction Fund, founder of Little Bottoms Free Store, and a commissioner on the 5th by Northwest Area Commission for the City of Columbus.
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“Pastor Joe Graves is a selfless man with a heart posture of sacrifice and servitude. Joe has rallied his congregation to support the mission of Mothers Of Murdered Columbus Children, has volunteered as a consultant for the Initiative Operation Under Triple Digits, and has been gracious with giving financial support. The operations of programming would not have been possible without his expertise.”
Malissa Thomas St. Clair, Co-Founder of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children.
“Joe has been an invaluable resource for Equal UA, not only by completely revitalizing its branding and website but also by being eager and willing to help with any technology challenge we have faced, and on the drop of a dime, too! Our gratitude for him overflows!”
Catherine Kennedy, Equal Upper Arlington
“Joe Graves has been coaching us through our merger of 3 churches for 4 months and without his help we would not have had a solid process, empathy for all parties, smooth transitions and every facet of our merger already thought-through, walked-through and the way smoothed for us as we step into this new endeavor.”
Dave Warner, United Methodist Church Planter
“Joe has not only given us a road map to launch a new community, but to also relaunch an existing one. He speaks not just from theory, but from experience. He has been down in the trenches!”
Rev. Bob Baugher, Redeemer United Methodist Church & The Gathering
Do you have what it takes to launch a church or start a non-profit?
With this assessment, we will not only tell you where your strengths are, but offer practical tips to propel you forward.
