More churches need help today than ever before. But there are not enough church consultants available to assist these churches. Thom and Sam discuss the current state of church consulting and where it will likely go in the future.

1. Church consulting is better as a side gig than a full-time profession.

2. Smaller churches are more willing to hire a consultant today, but price is a limiting factor.

3. Interim pastors are acting more like consultants, but there are unavoidable differences between the two roles.

4. Scope creep is still a big problem and will never go away.

5. Digital consultations are on the rise and will continue to increase in popularity.

6. Certifications for church consultants are helpful and communicate credibility.

Church Answers University is a fast-growing school that offers ministry training and education at a fraction of the cost of typical degree programs. The school currently offers the Certification in Christian Ministry and the Certification in Women’s Discipleship.

For Rainer on Leadership podcast listeners, we have been given FIVE 50% scholarships (a value of $748). If you are interested, contact [email protected].

“Reason to Return: Why Women Need the Church and the Church Needs Women” by Ericka Andersen. Use the code RETURN25 to save 25% at Navpress! 

Do you really need church to have a relationship with God?

Church can produce all kinds of automatic reactions depending on your past experiences. Perhaps your family was actively involved in church, or maybe your experience was limited to attending on the occasional holiday. Is it a place you associate with feelings of shame or joy? Does it bring anxiety, or do you have fond memories? Few people are neutral on the subject of church.

Are you one of the 16 million American women who have left the church in the last decade? There are many reasons for this exodus. Many women who leave the church—especially those who still consider themselves to be Christians—desire a closer relationship with God and a deeper spiritual life. What they may not realize is that the imperfect churches of their pasts might be keeping them from meeting those deep spiritual longings today.

In Reason to Return, Ericka Andersen delves into the reasons why women are leaving church in droves. With gentle insight and thoughtful research, she invites Christian women who are hurt or disillusioned by the churches of their pasts to fulfill their unmet spiritual longings for God and community—and consider what the church might still have to offer them.

The post Our Thoughts on the State of Church Consulting (and What to Expect in the Future) appeared first on Church Answers.