There’s a brand new world—at least on the Web—for church consultants today. Church Central has launched the Society for Church Consulting (www.churchconsultation.org), in order to revitalize churches and assist pastors with a network of trained and certified consultants.

The Society is taking over Church Central’s five-level consultant training and certification program, which includes instruction on the Church Health Survey. Since 2002, Church Central has trained almost 800 consultants and administered hundreds of surveys.

"We spun off the training and certification arm of Church Central to better serve the growing sector of church consultants through a professional association," says Tom Harper, charter president of the Society and president of Church Central.

Fulfilling a need

Harper says consultants have long been asking Church Central to start an organization. They want the networking, encouragement and opportunities to collaborate on projects. In addition, the Society now provides online training and ways to develop new client churches. It will also keep consultants informed on the latest trends and research through the newly retooled e-mail newsletter: Church Consulting Today (formerly Church Health Today).

Other member benefits include a listing in the Society’s online consultant directory, training discounts, a personal blog, a mini-Web site on the Society’s portal, and various consulting resources.

Still, the mission of Church Central remains the same: to equip leaders to grow healthier churches based on the six purposes of the church: worship, fellowship, ministry, discipleship, prayer and evangelism. Churchcentral.com provides book reviews, free how-to articles, a vendor directory and a popular ministry job board.

Consultants, churches, para-church ministries, would-be consultants, and church leaders will want to surf over to www.churchconsultation.org to take advantage of the power of the group now coming together—for the sake of the Church.