Consultant
Formal consulting involves one or more visits to gather information about a specific issue and it concludes with a written report with recommendations.
As an informal consultant, Karen participates in discussions, planning and problem-solving through on-site visits and/or phone calls. Karen can provide practical advice and "food for thought," and can point out relevant resources.
Examples of informal consulting:- Work with an equipping leadership team to set vision, goals and strategies
- Resource, support and encourage the equipping leadership team as they implement strategies.
- Attend a staff meeting to answer questions/objections, to discuss theology/philosophy of equipping, or to deal with specific problems
- Attend meetings of governing board or other boards/committees to lead a discussion and/or answer questions on equipping volunteers
- Meet with individual staff or leaders to discuss their attitudes and experiences about being a volunteer and/or working with volunteers.
- Meet with an individual to help handle a difficult situation involving a volunteer.
- Speak at a Bible class.
An initial on-site visit for informal consulting may be available at no cost other than travel expenses.
Advantages of contracting for formal or informal consulting:
- Karen's training and experience
- Someone outside the congregation brings a fresh perspective
- Can increase congregational commitment to the work of change
- Can increase your success
Contact karen@theequipper.org for fees and references.
Karen also is a speaker and coach. For increased impact and cost savings, consider a package of services, or build your own package. Details
Getting the most benefit from equipping services
Congregations reap greater benefits from a speaker, coach or consultant when church leaders understand the basics of being an equipping church and are willing to follow through with implementation. A speaker/coach/consultant brings tools as well as ideas, information and enthusiasm. The tools are for work that must be done by the congregation, and that work is more likely to take place when leaders have begun preparations. Before engaging my services for anything other than a single presentation, I suggest a church invest by doing the following:
- A minimum of 3-4 people become familiar with the principles of equipping people to serve through such resources as:
- this website
- Me to We by Alan Nelson
- The Equipping Church by Sue Mallory
- The Equipping Church Guidebook by Sue Mallory and Brad Smith
- Key church leaders, including the pastor, understand and endorse the key principles of equipping people to serve, understanding especially that equipping impacts the entire church
- A team of 3 or more people, with an identified leader, has committed to lead the equipping effort.