In June 2007, Bill Tenny-Brittian with Easum, Bandy, and Associates led our church leaders through a comprehensive ministry assessment for Trinity Christian Church. All of the consultations, interviews, ministry assessments, evaluations, presentations, and recommendations resulted in a final, comprehensive understanding – both internalized by the members and formalized in a written document – that gave us a better understanding of “who were” and “whose we were” and, perhaps even more importantly, “where God was calling us to grow in our ministries and missions in the future.”
I enthusiastically recommend Bill Tenny-Brittian of Easum, Bandy and Associates as a retreat, seminar, or conference leader, especially in the area of spiritual renewal and church growth.
Bill was asked to lead our retreat using Growing Spiritual Redwoods as his guide. Although the book and study guide was written by his associates, William Easum and Thomas Bandy, Bill was thoroughly familiar with the material and understood its relevance to our church and community – we live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. By adding his expertise in spiritual practices Bill rounded out our retreat and increased the likelihood that we will be able to apply the things we learned.
Just last month (Oct. 2007), we had Bill Tenny-Brittian of Easum, Bandy, and Associates come and do a full assessment of our church (Harvest Community). As a church leadership team, we had come to a place where we knew we needed an “outside pair of eyes” to look at our situation and help us identify our limiting barriers and then guide us to restructure for growth and impact.
Prior to inviting Bill T-B to come, we inquired of several experts and consultants familiar with our church’s philosophy of ministry. Because of our emphasis on small groups, lay leadership and relational ministry, we concluded Bill would be the best person to help us in our situation.
We began in October, 2007. Each meeting involves prayer, a distance teaching session (internet phone and PowerPoint) led by Bill, checking in time, prayer, case study work, goal making, and did I mention prayer? We have been expanding our spiritual practices as a key tool for our own wellbeing, as well as for the development/redevelopment of the local church.
This group has given me a way forward out of “no way” and Bill has been instrumental in that. My setting involves most every change challenge I know of; 3 church merger, all 3 in death dive prior to merger, church fire at one site, new green building project, and oh yeah, Santa Cruz, where (Percept tells me) preference for “Methodist” is almost not measurable. It's great place to recast the seeds of the Gospel! I am finding my Jesus again and with him, the tenacity that I need for the work and the personal accountability that is required of me to walk into this work each day. My peer colleagues, Bill's guiding presence, and the Easum Bandy resources are my close partners in this work right now.
If you are considering this kind of consultancy/peer growth coaching, I encourage you to jump in! And get ready to examine everything about your ministry, including your own discipleship and calling. I don't think you can do much better than this in the areas of self-care, leadership growth, and church revitalization.