Congregational Consultations 400 LCMS congregations have undergone consultations in the TCN process since March 2007.  These consultations are held by TCN staff or people trained and certified as consultants by the TCN staff.  The consultation takes place over a weekend, and involves considerable preparation on the part of the congregation in advance. In the consultation, specific recommendations are made which are designed to focus the congregation on growth through outreach. The shift in the congregation's focus from inward to outward is an ongoing process, which will be assisted by a consulting/coaching team walking with the congregation for a year or more, and support for the pastor through the structure of a learning community.

 

The weekend consultation consists of interviews with all staff and key leaders, and with focus groups. Most of the second day is spent with the positional leaders of the congregation. These sessions lay out the case for revitalization through outreach, as well as help the consulting team to further assess the needs of the congregation. Sunday morning worship is focused on revitalization, and afterward a “town hall” forum is conducted in which the consulting team lays out the assessments and gives specific prescriptions. The prescriptions are few, only five.  The aim is not to overwhelm the congregation and yet to challenge the people to initiate practices which will make the congregation more effective in reaching out with the Gospel of Jesus.  The prescriptions concentrate on the areas of greatest impact leading to a transformation of the congregation, and come with a definite timeline for completion. After the consultation, the congregation is given a period of time to decide whether or not to accept the prescriptions, which they must vote up or down as a whole. If the congregation decides to accept the prescriptions, they will enter into a covenant with the district team which will hold them accountable to accomplishing their goals in a timely fashion.

To arrange a consultation, the local LCMS district should be contacted at least three months prior to the desired time for the consultation.  A consultant of the district or from TCN will visit the congregation to go over the process and set up the consultation.  The congregation will need to complete a self-study and some surveys at least two weeks prior to the consultation weekend.  A checklist of prerequisites for a consultation is found on this web site. 

Consultants are being trained and certified by TCN in cooperation with the the LCMS partner districts. Potential consultants must demonstrate in their own ministry that they have been active in transforming a congregation. Typically it is desirable that the consultant be a pastor who has led his congregation past the 200 mark in average weekly attendance or a person with demonstrated experience in planting and growing missions. The certification includes participation on consulting team for at least four consultations, one of which would take place as part of the Consultant Training Event. In a final requirement the trainee leads a consultation under the mentorship of a previously certified consultant. 

For a list of upcoming consultations in which consultants may receive training, please see the Upcoming Consultations page of this web site.  A current contact list of certified consultants is also available so that arrangments to attend a consultation may be made.