Better decisions 
in less time 
with more confidence.

 


EVIDENCE-BASED DISCERNMENT

 

HOME

ABOUT US

TOOLS

CONSULTING

PUBLICATIONS

CONTACT US

 

 

 

 

 

 

Churches and Religious Bodies

 

 

The Church Assessment Tool (CAT)

for strategic planning, succession planning, preparing for pastoral search, 

stewardship and capital campaign preparation, and health assessment

 

 

The Family Tree

for pastoral start-up, change management, 

communication planning, strengthening congregational life

 

 

Transition Planning and Pastor Search

for developing critical leader requirements, managing pastoral transitions,

interim assessment and discernment for designated pastors and Priests-in-Charge.

 

 

Succession Planning

for developing pastoral succession plans, assessing risks and opportunities,

training leaders for succession planning

 

 

Strategic Planning

for churches seeking vision and direction

 

 

Regional Associations (such as Dioceses, Presbyteries, Synods)

for middle religious bodies seeking to do strategic planning, 

assess member perspectives, prepare for executive search,

and manage leader transitions

 


Would you like more information?  Please provide the contact information below and we will be in touch with you.

Name  

          

Phone  

 

 

The Church Assessment Tool (CAT)


 

 

 

The only benchmarked, reliable instrument designed especially for pastoral transitions and strategic planning!

I have found the CAT to be a transformational instrument in working with congregations. I have been doing deployment work for over ten years. The CAT is the best assessment tool I've seen.

 

 The Rev. Canon William M. Johnston

DDO Diocese of Fond du Lac 

 

The Family Tree

FAQ about the Family Tree

Presentation on the Family Tree and Pastoral Start-up

Register for the Family Tree

 

 

Tim Alderson, Executive Director of the 

Godly Play Foundation talks about the value 

of the Family Tree at start-up.

 

 

“This practical book should be in the hands of every pastor and 

board   chair. It provides the right answer to one of the most 

neglected areas   of church life today—

effective leadership transition in the local church.”


--Dr. William O. (Bill) Crews, chancellor, 

Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary 

Mill Valley, California

 

 

Strategic Planning

Principle-Driven Strategic Planning

We provide expert assistance, not only in helping churches discern where God is calling them, but the practical wisdom to know how to get there.  Our services include:

  • Vision formulation

  • Environmental scan

  • Development of strategic targets

  • Organizational analysis and alignment

  • Staff optimization and team building

  • Operational support and coaching

The state of the art analysis and strategic plan that Holy Cow! Consulting developed for our congregation continues to serve as an excellent blueprint for our ministry.  Precious few bring to the table as much technical expertise, organizational wisdom and passion for Christ’s kingdom as Russ Crabtree.

Dr. James Glatz

Senior Pastor

Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church 

 

Regional Associations

Regional Association is a generic term that includes Dioceses, Presbyteries, Synods, Districts, and Conferences.  We provide resources for these bodies which includes strategic planning, succession planning, search, and assessment.


Assessing Regional Associations

Presbyteries - Portal®  Sample / Landscape®  Sample

Dioceses - Portal®  Sample / Landscape® Sample

References

Six Reasons Why Focus Groups Are not Enough

 

Leadership Clarity Assessment - Just how clear are your leaders?

for Presbyteries

for Dioceses

"If you are holding this book in your hands, you have a longing for judicatories to matter.  If you read it, you won't agree with everything Russ says, and you will grapple with things your judicatory can--and should--do that will matter for your mission.  I wish I'd had this book when I began to serve in 1998."

 

 

Rev. Dr. James E. Mead

Consultant and former Pastor to the Presbytery

The Pittsburgh Presbytery

 

    

 What is a transformational regional association?

 

Russ has the gift of being able to cut through the fog and denial in a way that challenges church leaders without offending them.  He is one of the most capable church consultants available to assist a congregation (or presbytery) committed to transformational work.

 

Rev. David Dawson

Executive Presbyter

Shenango Presbytery  

 

Home     |     About Us     |     Tools     |     Consulting     |     Publications     |     Contact Us

J. Russell Crabtree, President
Holy Cow! Consulting
PO Box 8422
Columbus, Ohio 43201
614-208-4090
russ@holycowconsulting.com