Missional Church Consulting

All of our consulting is focused on living out the mission of the congregation. Nevertheless, some clergy and congregations are very aware of the Missional Church Movement, with its emphasis on joining God on mission in the world. If your leadership and congregation are there, this Missional Church Consulting Process may be what is needed to help you move ahead. Astute observers recognize the Missional Church Movement is congruent with God’s calling, while simultaneously raising challenges to the institutional and organizational needs of the congregation. In 2012, we anticipate a new consultant joining our team with specific expertise in this area.

Denominational Consulting

Is there any denominational minister or constituent who believes life for denominations is as it once was? Even the largest Christian denominations are undergoing radical change at this point. These changes are driven by many influences which cannot be avoided or denied. Pinnacle is at the table with various denominations, serving to facilitate their discernment about where to go from here.

When denominations reach these pivotal moments, they often are asking who they are now (identity) and what are they about now (mission). Given the seismic shifts in their system, they cannot continue with ministry as usual. Proactive denominations address these concerns earlier and enter adaptive processes for change. Though no one can predict what denominational bodies will look like in the future, we can help you explore what model may be the next best step for you. For most, adaptability will be integrated into whatever model they pursue.

Staff Restructuring Consulting

Until recently, church staffing models were predictable. Given the changes in congregations, this is no longer true. Now many questions which were answered a few years ago, are now live questions again. Do you call lay persons from within the congregation to serve on the staff? Are part time positions better than full time positions or vice versa? Which staff positions require a seminary education and ordination? What would unpaid lay positions look like in this congregation? Are our staff called to provide ministry or to equip the church to do ministry? When we change our staffing model, how does that shift congregational life for the rest of the church body?

Many congregations are asking these questions now. Many more will be asking them soon. We are able to help you consider your vision for ministry and then consider staffing options focused on vision implementation.

Size Transition Consulting

Jesus said: “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.” Most churches embrace this commission to grow the Kingdom of God. Yet, why is it so hard to grow a small congregation into a larger one? Why do some churches suddenly plateau or decline after experiencing years of numerical growth? What are the invisible barriers laying hidden within the culture of a congregation that, if discovered, could unlock a congregation’s potential to add new disciples? Thankfully there is a growing body of research called church size transitions, providing timely insights and well-researched answers for pastors and church leaders eager to reach new disciples.

Navigating Through Growing Pains and Getting Churches ‘Un-stuck,’ is a comprehensive consulting service we provide which helps congregations move from one ‘church size’ to the next. Navigating Through Growing Pains and Getting Churches ‘Un-stuck provides clergy, church staff and lay leaders with clarity around how churches numerically grow and why they get stuck. We lead in creating an action plan with concrete steps, helping church leaders break through the barriers preventing their churches from making room in their churches. Making a successful size transition involves multiple changes in the life of a church. Pinnacle consultants bring personal experience and real-world examples into size transition consulting. Doug Cushing gives guidance and coordination to Pinnacle’s Size Transition Consulting.