I'm excited to update you on the increasingly all-star advisory board The Society for Church Consulting is ramping up. The group now includes these proven experts in church health: Aubrey Malphurs, Bill Easum and Gary L. McIntosh.

Dr. Aubrey Malphurs is Professor of Pastoral Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary. He specializes in practical guidance and leads church consultation organization, The Malphurs Group. And he is the author of 19 books on church and ministry growth, leadership, personal growth, and strategic planning.

"I look forward to what the Society can do for the Church," he says.

One area he is particularly interested in is maintaining a high quality of church consultants. "One of our goals is to send out qualified consultants who are held to high standards, which is something we're focusing on in our certification process," he says.

Bill Easum, of Easum Bandy & Associates, has become one of the most well-known and highly respected church consultants in North America in the last 20 years. Along with consulting, Easum edits and writes with a special interest in the future, disciple-making, large churches, multi-site and emerging ministries. Easum says EBA's strategic alliance with The Society for Church Consulting will help more churches revitalize their ministries.

"This is a timely alliance because most churches find it more than helpful to have a church consultant or coach guide them through their turnaround," Easum says.

Dr. Gary McIntosh is president of the McIntosh Church Growth Network and author of more than a dozen books. A Professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership at Talbot School of Theology, McIntosh is also interested in renewing churches and in connecting church consultants. "I'm excited to be part of this new group," McIntosh says. "Together we can reach many churches in need of revitalization." In addition, McIntosh pointed out that The Society, which offers consultants intensive training and certification as well as an Internet directory listing, will both connect and inform consultants. "This will be a great tool for networking consultants and keeping them informed," he says.

This Who's Who list of church consultants brought together to serve on the advisory board for The Society for Church Consulting will lend credence to all the members of the society.

"Our hope is that these well-respected authorities will help us unify and organize many facets of the church consulting world," says Tom Harper, president of the Society. "We look forward to their support in assisting churches who want to go to the next level."

Church Central founded The Society for Church Consulting in 2007 with the goal of revitalizing churches. The Society offers a five-level consultant training program and certification. Membership is open to pastors, consultants, denominational leaders and lay leaders, and is currently offered at $59 a year. Information on certification and an online application are available at the Web site.

Additional Society board members include: Bob Whitesel, consultant, author, and associate professor; Dr. Glen Martin, senior pastor, author and an international church consultant; and Dr. Chuck Lawless, consultant, professor, dean, and author.