It’s a mistake to believe that only a church in trouble needs a consultation. Many healthy, growing churches engage a consultant when they want to ensure they’re on the right track. There are a number of times and seasons when it makes good sense for a church to bring in a consultant. These are the most common:
When a church is declining and the leaders are unable to stop the decline.
When a church has been on a growth pattern for some time but has plateaued and the leaders want to take the church to the next level of growth.
When a church is growing slowly and the leaders want their church to grow faster and more effectively.
When a church decides to go multi-site and wants to avoid the normal pitfalls to the process.
Whenever the primary mission field changes, especially in terms of changing demographics or lifestyles of the immediate neighborhood or community.
When a church is facing a significant decision such as relocation, hiring staff, or building.
During the first year of a pastor’s tenure. This is often a time of great openness to innovation, but also of urgent communication, consensus building, and strategic planning.
During the last six months of a pastor’s tenure. A church can ensure continuity is preserved, and opportunities for change are identified, before calling or receiving new pastoral leadership.
Prior to any building project or technology upgrade.
Whenever the church finds itself in a crisis. Crises generally involve people, property, programs, or finances.
Whenever the church is presented with what appears to be a golden opportunity. Most opportunities bring risk and all opportunities, when acted upon, bring change.
However, there are also times when a church should not get a consultation:
If the pastor is opposed to it.
If a majority – or even a large minority – of the church leadership is opposed to it.
If the church is engulfed in open, ongoing, unresolved conflict.
To consult or not to consult? It’s a good question that every church leader should be asking every couple of years.
When Does a Church Need a Consultation?
It’s a mistake to believe that only a church in trouble needs a consultation. Many healthy, growing churches engage a consultant when they want to ensure they’re on the right track. There are a number of times and seasons when it makes good sense for a church to bring in a consultant. These are the most common:
However, there are also times when a church should not get a consultation:
To consult or not to consult? It’s a good question that every church leader should be asking every couple of years.
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