LDJ Consulting
LDJ Consulting is an application of coaching principles brought to a local church by a trained person who assists the church to assess itself, envision a new future, and develop an action plan to get there. Consulting most often involves the consultant visiting a church a couple times over a number of months.
How does consulting relate to the other LDJ conduits?
LDJ Consulting is an expression of the culture of interdependence that is desired for our Church—the recognition that we need each other; we have the capacity to help each other; and we are willing to do what we can for each other because of our love for God, His church, and His servants.
What are the objectives of LDJ consulting?
- To partner with the Holy Spirit in helping local churches clarity and fulfill God's agenda for their ministries
- To provide district superintendents with another tool to use in developing churches under their leadership
- To assist churches who want to improve their health and the effectiveness of their ministries
Who needs an LDJ Consultant?
LDJ consulting is particularly focused on churches that are motivated to envision a new future that embraces the potential God has given them and to take the steps necessary to live into that new future. Churches at great risk, or who are experiencing a crisis in a particular area of church life, may be better served through other intervention methodologies.
What is involved in the LDJ consulting process?
The local church will identify a leadership team to work with the consultant. The consulting process will involve four essential steps:
- Interpret the past
- Assess the present
- Envision the future
- Implement the action plan
What are the benefits of having an LDJ consultant?
A consultant can bring to a church
- An objective perspective from the "outside"
- Assistance in clarifying the realities of the church, its community, its opportunities and obstacles
- Helpful instruments, resources, precesses, and observations
- Experience that is not presently available in church leadership
- Ability to address situations and issues that church leadership might be reluctant or unable to deal with
How long does the LDJ consulting relationship last?
The leadership of the local church, under the supervision of the district superintendent, will enter into a covenant relationship with the consultant. The covenant will specify the responsibilities and expectations of both parties, along with a timeline for the consultation. In most cases, the consultant will visit the church to begin the process, interview the church leaders, initiate the assessment process, and make observations. A period of time will be needed to complete and interpret the results of the assessment. The consultant will return to report on the data and observations, and to facilitate the leadership in envisioning a preferred future and developing an action plan to get there. In most cases, this will cover a period of several months.
Is there any follow-up to the LDJ consultation?
It is suggested that either the consultant or a designated coach be available following the consultation to assist in challenges that may arise and adjustments that may need to be taken.
What will it cost our church to have an LDJ consultant?
In general, LDJ consulting is considered to be a "service of love" involving a covenant relationship as opposed to a "service for hire" involving a contractual relationship. However, the local church being served should be prepared to accept responsibility for all expenses the consultant incurs while working with them. The consulting covenant should indicate the expectations and responsibilities of the consultant and the local church leadership, including expected expenses. In some cases, the church may want to provide the consultant with a "love gift" as an expression of appreciation.
What is the role of a district superintentent in the consultanation?
The district superintendent will facilitate the relationship between the church and the consultant; endorse the Consulting Covenant; assist the pastor in the selection of a leadership team from among the members of the congregation; and receive the reports from the church regarding the action plan it has developed and its progress toward fulfilling it.
The LDJ consultation is not intended to deal with issues growing out of pastoral leadership, except as identified in the overall church health assessment. The district superintendent retains the responsibility of directing and developing district personnel. As a part of that responsibility, the district superintendent might want to engage the pastor in an assessment of leadership effectiveness, using the Pastor-Leader Assessment instrument available through the LDJ website (www.wesleyan.org/ldj) or a similar instrument.
To whom is the LDJ consultant accountable?
The LDJ consultant is serving the local church on behalf of the district. The church is considered to be the "client". The same kind of confidential practices that are involved in counseling situations should be understood. The pastor and local church have certain lines of accountability to the district superintendent, but the consultant should not be obliged to divulge any specific information about the consultation to the district superintendent, except as might be required by law.
What about more situational-specific coaching?
The focus of LDJ Consulting is general in its application to issues of pastoral leadership and congregational life as opposed to other more specific applications (i.e. conflict resolution, financial crisis, birthing church plants, breaking through growth barriers, community changes, etc.) that may be available through other sources. The LDJ Coordinator may be able to recommend other sources for specific situational consultation.
Phone: 317-774-3896
Email: heerk@wesleyan.org
Mailing: P.O. Box 50434, Indianapolis, IN 46250
© 2009 The Wesleyan Church