Consulting Services

Create a healthier faith community and develop strong leaders so your ministry can thrive.

About Our Consulting Services

We know leading in ministry today comes with its challenges. Our church consulting services are designed to meet your faith community where you are, identify key challenges, and walk with you to solve them.

Faith communities today are wrestling with real problems: declining participation, limited volunteer recruitment and capacity, conflict, financial constraints, and tired leaders. But God isn’t done working through your faith community to transform people’s lives. Our consultants will help your faith community identify vision, capitalize on the community’s strengths, and address problems so your ministries can flourish.

Consulting Benefits

Growth

Our consulting services will expand your faith community’s impact by capitalizing on your strengths. We’ll also focus on improving the health of your leaders.

Support

We’ll guide you to assemble a team from your church and walk with you through every step of the consulting process.

Lasting Impact

We don’t offer a prescriptive, quick fix, but an intentional process for growth that you can replicate and return to again and again.

Refined Vision

We’ll guide you to reframe how you measure ministry effectiveness for today’s realities and move beyond survival.

Congregational Buy-in

Volunteers are a key aspect of our group consulting experience, expanding your faith community’s and your capacity.

Testimonials

“Because the Ministry Leadership Center’s process used the strengths of the leaders in place and contextualized the tools for the church’s new reality, the leaders have been able to listen and trust in next steps, relying on these tools, which begin with Bible study, discernment, and listening. Instead of a shiny new thing, it has provided real results and healing.”

- Rev. Melinda Britt, Connectional Ministries Officer, Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church

“So often in church we get caught up in the semantics and just getting stuff done that we often don’t take the time to sit back, think theologically, and listen to the Spirit. Unlike a committee meeting where I often leave drained from just getting stuff done, I leave each session energized feeling like I truly am doing the ministry God has called me to.”

- Paige Bach, Director of Next Generation Ministry, Providence Presbyterian Church

“The process was so well organized and it truly helped guide our decision making without telling us what to do. I feel more connected and invested in a program that makes sense and isn't backed by a reasoning of ‘the way we've always done it."

- Jennifer Skidmore-Breece, Lay Leader, Providence Presbyterian Church

Consulting Service Details

Regular meeting facilitation, virtual or hybrid, and coaching from an experienced ministry consultant
More than just a written report, we’ll equip your faith community to take action to grow your impact
Customized experience based on your faith community’s unique needs, assets, and timeline
Intentional, action-oriented processes, questions, and activities to move your faith community forward
Process rooted in your faith community’s unique strengths and theological values

Theological Innovation Process

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Our Faculty

ABOUT

Reverend Patricia Bonilla holds a Ph.D. in Christian education and congregational studies from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. She is an ordained United Methodist (UMC) deacon and the national program director of the Hispanic Youth Leadership Academy. Reverend Patricia Bonilla served churches throughout Illinois since 2005, primarily in Christian education and youth and family ministries.

Email: patricia.bonilla@mlc.org

Dr. Andrew Zirschky

Professor of Youth Ministry

ABOUT

Rev. Patricia Bonilla

Professor of Christian Education

Trusted by

Stories of Transformation

Ryan King

Ryan’s story is one of growth and courage. Though they had to maintain a second job to support their family, and had no theological training, they found a way to pursue ministry through the certificate program. Ryan’s experience exemplifies the power of stepping into your calling, no matter the obstacles.

Program Tier Options

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How it Works

Step 1

Reach out to schedule a free consultation with our team so we can learn about your faith community’s dreams, hopes, assets, and challenges.

Step 2

We’ll develop a custom, multi-tiered consulting proposal designed specifically for your faith community.

Step 3

You’ll discern which consulting package is right for your faith community in this season of your ministry.

Step 4

Once you’ve determined the right path for your faith community, we’ll help you assemble a team of people to journey with us throughout the experience.