Virtual Church Consulting

Like any organization, the church faces challenges that require expert advice to overcome. This is where the services of a church consultant come in. But what does a church consultant do? And how can they help congregations thrive? This article delves into the duties and contributions of church consultants in assisting religious communities to meet the demands of our evolving world.

Understanding the Church’s Unique Position

First and foremost, it’s crucial to recognize that a church isn’t just any organization—it’s a sacred institution that intertwines spiritual, communal, and organizational aspects. The goals of a church are not just about numbers or finances; they also concern spiritual growth, community outreach, and maintaining a vibrant, meaningful connection with its members. A church consultant understands these intricacies and is skilled in addressing challenges with a balance of respect for tradition and a drive for innovation.

Essential Duties of a Church Consultant

Assessment: One of the primary roles of a church consultant is to assess a congregation’s current situation. This might involve examining the church’s growth trends, financial health, staff dynamics, outreach programs, or spiritual enrichment activities. Through interviews, surveys, and observations, the consultant can get a holistic view of where the church stands.

Strategic Planning: Once an assessment is complete, the consultant will work with church leaders to chart a course for the future. This might involve setting goals for membership growth, developing new outreach programs, or restructuring church governance. They help create short-term and long-term strategies that align with the church’s mission and vision.

Leadership Training: Often, a church consultant will provide training sessions for pastors, elders, and other key leaders. These sessions might cover topics like conflict resolution, effective communication, team building, and leadership skills tailored to the unique context of a religious community.

Operational Efficiency: Church consultants might also delve into the day-to-day operations of a church. This can involve suggesting more efficient administration methods, improving financial management, or updating technology systems to serve the congregation better.

Change Management: Implementing new strategies or systems can be daunting, especially in a setting as deeply rooted in tradition as the church. Consultants guide congregations through periods of change, ensuring smooth transitions and the church remains unified.

Outreach and Evangelism: A significant aspect of many churches is their outreach and evangelism efforts. A consultant can help churches develop or refine their approach to outreach, ensuring they effectively reach and resonate with their target communities.

Church consultants bring an external perspective, unencumbered by internal politics or biases. Their outside view can often identify issues or opportunities that might be missed by those deeply embedded in the day-to-day life of the congregation. Furthermore, many church consultants have extensive experience and have worked with multiple congregations facing similar challenges. This breadth of experience allows them to bring tested solutions and insights to the table, offering strategies that have been successful in other settings.

A church consultant is invaluable in guiding congregations through these changes, ensuring they remain vibrant and effective in their mission. Whether refining outreach strategies, improving operations, or training leaders, these professionals offer expertise that can propel a church to new heights.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

The concept of ‘side gigs’ or ‘side hustles’ has moved beyond the boundaries of conventional workspaces. Today, the sacred realm of pastoral duties is no exception. From writing to online tutoring, a pastor can walk various enriching yet non-traditional paths. Exploring these avenues offers an opportunity for financial diversification and paves the way for a more expansive spiritual influence.

The first side gig to consider is becoming an author or blogger. Pastors are often gifted with a talent for weaving words into an eloquence of wisdom. Pastors can enrich a wider audience by turning this ability into writing religious books and articles or maintaining a blog. The influence of their spiritual teachings can reach beyond the borders of their congregation. It offers them a platform to share their spiritual insight while contributing to their livelihood.

Next, online tutoring or mentoring is another feasible side gig. Many people around the globe yearn for spiritual guidance. Pastors can provide this solace online, catering to individuals outside their physical reach. They can host one-on-one or group sessions on spiritual growth, biblical studies, or pastoral counseling. While inherently fulfilling, these lessons can also be monetized, making online spiritual mentoring a fruitful endeavor.

Digital content creation is an evolving sphere where pastors can venture. Pastors can channel their spiritual teachings into digital content through platforms like YouTube and podcasts. They can create series on various spiritual themes, offer interpretations of biblical texts, or share life lessons, all while creating a community online. This furthers their spiritual outreach and provides an avenue for advertisement revenue.

A less conventional path is becoming a spiritual retreat leader. Organizing retreats for people who want a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life can be an excellent way for pastors to extend their pastoral care. Such retreats serve as a sanctuary for spiritual replenishment and open an alternative revenue source.

Motivational speaking is a lucrative side gig for those skilled in public speaking. Corporations, educational institutions, and organizations often require speakers to inspire their members. Armed with an arsenal of life-affirming and motivational anecdotes, pastors can answer this call. Their ability to connect with people on a spiritual level can provide a unique perspective in this arena.

Finally, the role of church consultant for religious or non-profit organizations is a promising side gig. Pastors can provide valuable insight into community building, fundraising strategies, and conflict resolution. These skills, honed through pastoral work, can significantly benefit these organizations.

In conclusion, diversifying a pastor’s role through side gigs can help them navigate the challenging economic times. These side gigs supplement their income and expand the reach of their spiritual influence. They can cultivate a broader audience, reach people beyond their physical community, and continue to impact the spiritual well-being of individuals around the globe profoundly. Ultimately, these side gigs for pastors highlight the evolving landscape of spiritual leadership in the 21st century.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

We are in a series called “Sword Sharpening” and looking at how to make the most out of your time with the Bible. This week we are continuing our look at the storyline of the Bible, which we call His Story, and we will look at the seventh section, Acts – Revelation 20, and call it Kingdom Tension.

Last week we talked about Jesus arriving on the scene. He was an example of the ultimate heaven and earth connection (fully God and fully man). He was also an example of tabernacle and temple. We also looked at how He willingly went to the cross to defeat the power of sin, and then He rose on the third day to defeat the power of death. He has inaugurated the Kingdom of God. Remember that the kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God. Not a place.

Mark 1:15 (NIV)
15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

The time is fulfilled. The Kingdom is here. The kingdom is not one that comes and destroys pagans and sets Israel up. The kingdom that comes is one that fulfills the Hebrew scriptures through its representative Jesus to rescue the world.

Genesis 12:2-3 (NIV)
2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Repent and believe…change your way of thinking. Quit trying to do it your way. The good news is that God is setting everything right. He has returned, bringing an Exodus, freeing us from our bondage and slavery to the enemy. He has forgiven us and He will make all things new.

The Kingdom is here, but not fully here. Jesus inaugurated the kingdom when He came the first time. He will consummate it when He returns. We live between in the now and the not yet. The tension of this present age and the age to come. How are we to live in this tension?

Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

We are to live as new creation people. Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to empower us to live as new creation people now. The apostle Paul says that we are now the temple (a heaven and earth connection point) because we have Holy Spirit dwelling in us both individually as believers and corporately as the church.

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV)
16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV)
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?

Individually and collectively we are the temple. We’re built on Christ, the cornerstone. And the apostles and the prophets are the foundations, because we’re a temple being built.

Ephesians 2:19-21 (NIV)
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

What does that mean for us as a people and as a church? We are called to carry Jesus everywhere we go. Because just as Jesus, in human form, carried God everywhere He went, we now, because of the Spirit that lives within us, carry Jesus everywhere that we go. Which means that everyone in the church has a purpose. Every single one of us. And our mission is “One More”. We are to be about making Jesus some friends.

Make plans to join us this weekend at Keys Vineyard either in-person or online as we talk more about being salt and light.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.