Better decisions 
in less time 
with more confidence.

New tools for 21st century
 organizations

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

 

 

The Passion-Effectiveness Tool

for pastors engaged is discernment of a call,

search committees, and personnel committees

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

The Church Assessment Tool (CAT)

FAQ about the CAT

What is in a Vital Signs report?

How the CAT process works

Sample Vital Signs

Sample CAT (for denominational churches)

Sample CAT (for Assemblies of God, Baptist, and Independent)

What people are saying about the CAT

Five Reasons Not to Design Your Own Survey

Getting Started and Running Your Cat

   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.

 

The Passion-Effectiveness Tool

The Passion-Effectiveness Tool has been developed to be used in conjunction with the Church Assessment Tool.  It produces a report called a Self-Identified Profile that can help clarify how a Pastor's interests and effectiveness fit with the profile of a particular congregation.  Our Discernment Guide provides a way for Pastors and church leaders to process the information generated by the PET.

 

Want to learn more?

 

Succession Planning

FAQ about Succession Planning

Succession Planning for Pastors

A Process for Developing a Succession Plan

“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

 

        How We Can Help You:  A Menu of Succession Planning Services

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, organi-zational 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  

"During my tenure as State Librarian, we have worked with a variety of consultants on several studies and plans. Without equivocation or fear of contradiction, I can say that our interaction with Holy Cow was the most positive and affirming experience for the Board, the Administration, and the Staff."

Mike Lucas
Former State Librarian
State Library of Ohio

Contact Information

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