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Creating a Transformational Regional Associations

Many church leaders are recognizing the need for transformational churches which are willing to rethink the fundamentals of how they do ministry.  Similarly, Russ Crabtree is advocating for transformational regional associations.  A transformational regional association is specified by five qualities:

A vision that is strategically focused on creating healthy, vital congregations.

A culture that rewards effectiveness, indirect success, strategic engagement, and leadership formation.

A collection of functions (staff, ministries, and teams) thoroughly aligned with the vision.

An organizational structure that optimizes the flow of services to congregations.

A multi-layered funding approach based upon the value added by the Regional Associations to the work of local congregations.

The argument for creating transformational regional associations can be found in Russ Crabtree's book scheduled for publication in October, 2008, The Fly in the Ointment:  Why Denominations Aren't Helping Their Congregations...and How They Could.  

"In my capacity as a diocesan executive, I have come to know Russ Crabtree as a visionary who can read the rapidly changing cultural realities and draw their implications for religious and secular leadership. His presentations at a national conference of Episcopal Deployment Officers in 2004 initiated a cultural change in the way transition ministry is addressed in our church. In 2005, I asked Russ to lead the clergy conference of our diocese following a leadership crisis. His sensitive facilitation of this gathering led to the development of healthy norms for our diocesan community entitled “How We Live and Work in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia.” We now use these norms at every meeting in this diocese and they are changing the ethos of our diocese."

Rev. Win Lewis
Canon to the Ordinary
Diocese of Southern Virginia

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"It has been my great privilege to work with Russ Crabtree as our consultant in two churches in transition settings as well as in a presbytery-wide survey setting in the Presbyterian Church (USA).  His survey work opened our eyes to new realities in fresh ways; his interpretive work is grace-filled as only a person with a pastor's heart could do; he is insightful, wise and caring in his perspectives; his consulting and his surveys provide the firm foundation to move a church successfully through a time of transition and to establish it for new eras of growth and faithfulness."

The Reverend Dr. Stuart D. Broberg
Interim Pastor
First Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Contact  Information

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