People of the Way - Claire Bamberg

In this episode, Claire Bamberg shares wisdom learned from helping many congregations find a path forward. We learn about her process to guide churches in letting go of the past and embracing a new beginning. She is the founder of Potentials Customized Coaching and Consulting.

3 Takeaways for Dying Churches:

1. Churches must often die to bring about a new life of ministry. The new can't begin until the old church has been mourned and grieved.
2. Pastors, coaches, and consultants can't help a dying church by bringing a preconceived solution.  They will not be accepted. The path forward must come from the church members.
3. Claire believes that mergers rarely work because it implies that one congregation is acquiring another. She prefers the term consolidation in which all parties contribute their unique resources.

She is an ordained minister, licensed mental health professional, certified mediator, professional certified coach (PCC, ICF), a systems and developmental theory expert, and consultant, She has worked with businesses, congregations, corporate structures, and individuals, internationally and domestically. Whether supporting a structural reorganization, teaching pastoral skills in a seminary, serving as the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization, or providing professional coaching support to executives, pastors, groups and teams, she loves facilitating growth and change towards new awareness, innovation, new beginnings and leadership development.

Her work focuses on congregational consolidations, vitality initiatives, conflict transformation, structural and strategic planning, and training the next generation of skilled professional coaches.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Potentials Customized Coaching and Consulting: https://potentials.us/

margaretwheatley.com

Credits

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/arend/lavender
License code: ZIXQF4BKKOTTJFRX