24 Best Church Consultants in 2026 for Effective Growth
Choosing the right church consultant can make all the difference when your ministry needs clarity, growth, or a fresh perspective. I know how much is at stake as you lead your congregation and make decisions about your church’s future. In this article, you’ll get a clear look at consultants with proven experience to help your church move forward.
19 Top Church Consultants
Here’s a closer look at church consultants who’ve helped ministries lead well through change, growth, and everyday challenges. You’ll find what sets each expert apart and how they can serve your church’s unique needs.
Carey Nieuwhof
Carey Nieuwhof is a former attorney turned bestselling author, speaker, and founding pastor of Connexus Church in Ontario, Canada. With over 25 years in ministry, he’s built one of the most widely
…Carey Nieuwhof is a former attorney turned bestselling author, speaker, and founding pastor of Connexus Church in Ontario, Canada. With over 25 years in ministry, he’s built one of the most widely followed leadership platforms in the church world, reaching over 1.5 million leaders monthly through his podcast, blog, and The Art of Leadership Academy. His books, including Lasting Impact and Leading Change Without Losing It, are go-to resources for pastors navigating growth and organizational change.
“The world is at its best when the church is at its best.”
Thom S. Rainer
Thom S. Rainer is a researcher, author, and founder of Church Answers, with nearly 40 years of ministry experience, a Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a decade leading LifeWay
…Thom S. Rainer is a researcher, author, and founder of Church Answers, with nearly 40 years of ministry experience, a Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a decade leading LifeWay Christian Resources as president and CEO. He has written or co-written 27 books—including the CBA #1 bestseller I Am a Church Member—and won the Donald A. McGavran Award for outstanding leadership in church growth. He now consults and coaches pastors and church leaders through Church Answers, which he founded and continues to lead.
“A guest can be warmly greeted and still leave anonymously. No one learned their name in a meaningful way. No one asked a thoughtful question. No one created a moment that felt personal. People do not return to general warmth. They return to specific relationships.”
Bill Easum
Bill Easum founded the Effective Church Group in 1984 and has spent over 40 years consulting with more than 1,000 churches across 60+ denominations in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
…Bill Easum founded the Effective Church Group in 1984 and has spent over 40 years consulting with more than 1,000 churches across 60+ denominations in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. He’s authored 19 books on church growth and leadership and received the prestigious Donald McGavran Award for outstanding church leadership.
“It's been my observation that great leaders envision what seems to be an impossible goal and then push the envelope until they find their limits of possibility.”
Karl Vaters
Karl Vaters has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years, pastoring Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Fountain Valley, California. He’s authored five books, including The Grasshopper Myth and De-Sizing the Church, and
…Karl Vaters has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years, pastoring Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Fountain Valley, California. He’s authored five books, including The Grasshopper Myth and De-Sizing the Church, and writes regularly for Christianity Today. His work centers on helping small church pastors lead healthy, thriving ministries without chasing numerical growth.
“The biggest problem with small churches is not that they're small. It's that we think being small is a problem.”
Jeff Brodie
Jeff Brodie has served in full-time ministry for over 20 years and leads Connexus Church in Barrie, Ontario—one of Canada’s most influential multi-site churches. He succeeded founding pastor Carey Nieuwhof as lead
…Jeff Brodie has served in full-time ministry for over 20 years and leads Connexus Church in Barrie, Ontario—one of Canada’s most influential multi-site churches. He succeeded founding pastor Carey Nieuwhof as lead pastor and has spoken at conferences across Canada and the US on leadership, church governance, and scaling multi-site ministry.
“When you're in an executive role, you're solving a lot of problems. But when you're in the lead pastor seat, your role is more to bring perspective first and solve the problem second.”
Rich Birch
Rich Birch is a church consultant and the founder of unSeminary, a resource and podcast hub helping church leaders grow healthy, thriving ministries. He has over 20 years of church leadership experience,
…Rich Birch is a church consultant and the founder of unSeminary, a resource and podcast hub helping church leaders grow healthy, thriving ministries. He has over 20 years of church leadership experience, including serving on the launch team of Liquid Church in New Jersey and leading operations at one of Canada’s largest churches, Connexus Church. His consulting work focuses on multisite strategy, church growth, and volunteer systems.
“If you want to grow your church, you need to make it easy for people to get connected, and volunteers are the front line of that connection.”
Will Mancini
Will Mancini is a church consultant, ministry entrepreneur, and author of seven books—including Church Unique and Future Church—with over 25 years of experience helping churches develop vision clarity. He founded Auxano in
…Will Mancini is a church consultant, ministry entrepreneur, and author of seven books—including Church Unique and Future Church—with over 25 years of experience helping churches develop vision clarity. He founded Auxano in 2004, selling it to LifeWay in 2012, and later launched Future Church Co. and RunFree.co, building a wide portfolio of tools and consulting services for church teams. He holds a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary and has worked with thousands of churches across the country.
“Pastors don't pursue clarity not because they don't care about the future. They don't pursue clarity because they think they have vision 'generally' figured out.”
Ron Edmondson
Ron Edmondson is a pastor, leadership consultant, and author with over 20 years of ministry experience, known for helping churches navigate organizational health and change. He has planted two churches, led multiple
…Ron Edmondson is a pastor, leadership consultant, and author with over 20 years of ministry experience, known for helping churches navigate organizational health and change. He has planted two churches, led multiple congregations, and served as CEO of Leadership Network, one of the most recognized church leadership organizations in the country. His blog and coaching work reach thousands of pastors and church leaders globally.
“People naturally resist what they don't understand. It makes communication one of the most important aspects of leadership.”
Steve Caton
Steve Caton is a church growth consultant, author, and ministry leader with over 30 years of experience building teams and growing organizations. He’s best known for his work at Church Community Builder,
…Steve Caton is a church growth consultant, author, and ministry leader with over 30 years of experience building teams and growing organizations. He’s best known for his work at Church Community Builder, where he helped catalyze eight years of double-digit growth serving over 4,800 churches, and later served as Chief Growth Officer at Generis. He has authored hundreds of articles and ebooks on church leadership, organizational health, and generosity.
“Coming to church is a huge step for many people. It can make them feel uncomfortable and vulnerable. When we use language that's so foreign to them, it reinforces the idea that they're outsiders, that they don't belong.”
Mark DeYmaz
Mark DeYmaz is a pastor, author, and leading voice in the multiethnic church movement who has been active in ministry since 1997. He founded Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas in 2001, co-founded
…Mark DeYmaz is a pastor, author, and leading voice in the multiethnic church movement who has been active in ministry since 1997. He founded Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas in 2001, co-founded the Mosaix Global Network in 2004, and has authored eight books, including Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church and The Coming Revolution in Church Economics, a term he coined. He consults churches nationally on diversity, community development, and financial sustainability.
“We have zero credibility now because we have these systemically segregated churches filled with tons of people. They can't connect to the local communities that are changing around them. And it undermined our credibility and our witness.”
Todd McMichen
Todd McMichen is a stewardship coach, generosity consultant, and author with over 30 years of experience serving local churches of all sizes. He has led capital campaigns raising over $35 million and
…Todd McMichen is a stewardship coach, generosity consultant, and author with over 30 years of experience serving local churches of all sizes. He has led capital campaigns raising over $35 million and has served as Director of Lifeway Generosity & Digital Giving, as well as a consultant at Generis. His book Leading a Generous Church is part of the Church Unique Intentional Leader Series.
“Generosity is not a sprint. It is a marathon.”
Amy F. Anderson
Amy F. Anderson is a ministry consultant at The Unstuck Group, where she has served since 2016, including eight years as Director of Consulting, and has worked with over 200 churches on
…Amy F. Anderson is a ministry consultant at The Unstuck Group, where she has served since 2016, including eight years as Director of Consulting, and has worked with over 200 churches on staffing, structure, and multisite strategy. Before joining The Unstuck Group, she served as Executive Director of Weekend Services at Eagle Brook Church in the Twin Cities, helping it grow from one location of 3,000 to six locations with over 20,000 attending weekly. She also co-hosted The Unstuck Church Podcast for seven years.
“We aren't calling these stupid church tricks because pastors who use them are stupid. In all of our years of consulting, I have yet to meet a pastor who wants their church to fail.”
Matt Steen
Matt Steen is the co-founder and CEO of Chemistry Staffing, a firm specializing in connecting churches with ministry staff, and has over two decades of ministry experience as a pastor and church
…Matt Steen is the co-founder and CEO of Chemistry Staffing, a firm specializing in connecting churches with ministry staff, and has over two decades of ministry experience as a pastor and church leader. He co-hosts the Chemistry of Leadership podcast and has helped hundreds of churches navigate staffing and pastoral transitions. His work sits at the intersection of church health, hiring, and leadership development.
“Far too many churches hire people simply because their resumes look good, or because they are talented. Churches that excel are able to say no to phenomenally talented candidates in order to go with the best fitting pastor.”
Mark MacDonald
Mark MacDonald is a church branding strategist, ordained pastor, and bestselling author of Be Known for Something, who has helped thousands of churches clarify their message and reconnect with their communities since
…Mark MacDonald is a church branding strategist, ordained pastor, and bestselling author of Be Known for Something, who has helped thousands of churches clarify their message and reconnect with their communities since founding Be Known For Something® in 2001. With 950+ published articles, keynotes at 100+ church conferences, and guest appearances on 100+ podcasts, he’s one of the most recognized voices in church communication. His work focuses on helping congregations develop a clear brand identity so the gospel is heard and understood.
“Discipleship is not a church event. It's a practical rhythm that must be reinforced over time.”
Bob Whitesel
Bob Whitesel holds two earned doctorates from Fuller Theological Seminary and has spent 30+ years consulting for hundreds of churches on growth, health, and change. He’s the award-winning author of 14 books,
…Bob Whitesel holds two earned doctorates from Fuller Theological Seminary and has spent 30+ years consulting for hundreds of churches on growth, health, and change. He’s the award-winning author of 14 books, founding professor of missional leadership at Wesley Seminary (Indiana Wesleyan University), and a former president of the Great Commission Research Network. His consulting work spans church health, multicultural ministry, and organizational change.
“Remember, different generations in a church function as different cultures with distinct worship preferences, and unity is better built through shared leadership and mission than by forcing everyone into the same worship style.”
Chris Sonksen
Chris Sonksen is the founder of Church BOOM, a consulting organization that has coached thousands of pastors and churches across the U.S. on growth and health. He’s also the founding and lead
…Chris Sonksen is the founder of Church BOOM, a consulting organization that has coached thousands of pastors and churches across the U.S. on growth and health. He’s also the founding and lead pastor of South Hills Church in California, which has grown to multiple campuses under his leadership. As an author and speaker, he’s known for practical frameworks that help churches break through growth barriers.
“It's those subtle driftings that tear teams apart. I always say that when the enemy takes a run at your church, he doesn't do it through those who attend it. He'll do it through those who lead it.”
Jim Wideman
Jim Wideman is a pioneer of the modern family ministry movement, a pastor, author, and ministry coach with over 45 years of hands-on experience in the local church—including 17 years leading one
…Jim Wideman is a pioneer of the modern family ministry movement, a pastor, author, and ministry coach with over 45 years of hands-on experience in the local church—including 17 years leading one of the largest children’s ministries in the United States. He has published more than 15 books, trained thousands of leaders worldwide, and currently serves as Executive Operations Pastor at Conduit Church in Franklin, Tennessee.
“I help leaders think differently… at home, at church, and in everyday life!”
Preston Gillham
Preston Gillham is a leadership coach, author, and minister with decades of experience guiding pastors, executives, and ministry leaders. He coaches Christian leaders on spiritual formation, personal identity, and navigating leadership challenges.
…Preston Gillham is a leadership coach, author, and minister with decades of experience guiding pastors, executives, and ministry leaders. He coaches Christian leaders on spiritual formation, personal identity, and navigating leadership challenges. He has authored multiple books and built his practice around one-on-one coaching for ministry and marketplace leaders.
“Coaching the soul is not a straight-line journey. It is fraught with impediments, obstacles, and challenges. Just like life. This is a good thing, but it’s easy to lose your way.”
Ed Underwood
In 2015, God led Ed Underwood to transition from leading the historic Church of the Open Door, where he handed off the ministry to healthy and capable leaders. Without knowing what came
…In 2015, God led Ed Underwood to transition from leading the historic Church of the Open Door, where he handed off the ministry to healthy and capable leaders. Without knowing what came next. God asked Ed to leverage his leadership experience to serve the Body of Christ at large by ministering directly to their leaders.
What had been incubating in his heart as he increasingly encountered hurting, under-equipped pastors and church leaders was the need to recenter the church on Jesus’ two priorities—making disciples and loving one another. And it always starts with healthy leadership.
A gifted author, Ed has written several books and discipleship materials. Notably, his discipleship manual Beginning in Grace has been used worldwide to equip followers of Jesus to live out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. When God Breaks Your Heart, the story of his near-death experience as he battled cancer as a young pastor, has encouraged countless believers through tragedies and trials.
Having benefited from godly mentors, Ed loves to provide space for pastors to be seen, heard, safe, and soothed and to give them tools to minister well.
““Vulnerability builds trust; redemptive stories build hope.” ”
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