Partnering With Churches To Help Them Discern "What's Next?"
Partnering With Churches To Help Them Discern "What's Next?"
When you might work with us:
- You've had changes in your attendance, membership, finances, or congregatio energy.
- Your Pastor is leaving.
- New possibilities have come up.
- You want to talk about collaborating or merging ministries or churches.
- You simply feel it is time to regroup and rethink where you are called to next.
Our Core Values At Church Possibilities
Personalized & Efficient
Your Church has a unique history, culture and calling, and we respect and honor that. You will not get a cookie-cutter approach or report from us. We partner with you to create an experience where the outcomes will feel personal and specific to you because your calling is unique and special.
Experience and Connections
We have extensive experience and resources to support you. We've worked with hundreds of churches and have relationships with amazing consultants and access to exceptional resources so that we can bring just the right expertise when needed.
Communal Discernment
We promote a collective decision-making process in the local church. This helps ensure more unity and support for the decisions that are ultimately made. We work with a designated team of your church members and involve the congregation often.
Explore and Experiment
"The frog in the well knows nothing of the great wide ocean." Taoist Parable
We encourage churches to really stretch and spend time looking for inspiration, ideas and insights in all sorts of places. We explore diverse ideas and options and then experiment with prototypes to ensure the practicality and usefulness of ideas.
God is Still Speaking
Support for all sizes and budgets
We believe and rely on the ongoing presence and guidance of God and know we are not alone on our journey.
Support for all sizes and budgets
Support for all sizes and budgets
We believe every church, regardless of size or financial situation, deserves support in discovering their path forward. We are committed to working with you to find a solution that fits your needs and resources- together, we'll figure out a way to make it possible.
Services
Discover and Discern Future Ministry
Discover and Discern Future Ministry
Discover and Discern Future Ministry
Answering the question, "What's Next?"
We partner with churches and use the ASK Method (Assess, Seek, Knit) to help them assess their unique situation, explore creative possibilities, and develop various paths to live out their calling.
Interim Alternatives
Discover and Discern Future Ministry
Discover and Discern Future Ministry
Lengthy interim periods can be effective but are not needed in every situation. We offer a focused and abbreviated program to help churches address issues typically faced during extended interim periods. Our work helps churches effectively navigate transitions, address important issues and prepare for their future.
Church Collaborations and Mergers
Discover and Discern Future Ministry
Church Collaborations and Mergers
Our work with collaborative ministries offers churches a structured yet flexible path to explore partnerships or mergers with other congregations. By fostering open dialogue, building trust, and discerning God's leading together, this approach helps churches navigate these decisions while honoring their unique strengths and share values.
Meet Phil Hart
Church Possibilities
Phil knows the church well. He doesn't remember when he didn't feel called into the ministry. He preached to the cows and chickens as a kid and then started pastoring churches when he was 20 years old. Over the past 30+ years he has served as a Local Pastor, Professor of Communication and Theology, a Licensed Social Worker, Consultant for Business and Non-profits, and for the past 17+ years, as a Conference Minister in 10 Conferences across the United Church of Christ serving over 2,000 churches.
EDUCATION
Phil has an impressive formal education as well:
- Bachelors of Psychology
- Master of Divinity
- Master of Theology (focus on church revitalization)
- Master of Communication (focus on change in organizations)
What Others Are Saying
Kathy Tashima- Sylvania, Ohio
"Phil Hart is genuine and engages easily and well with people of all ages. He is spirit filled and reflects and shares God's love in meaningful ways. Phil has a deep understanding of the church on all levels. His problem-solving skills can be described as insightful, innovative, creative and visionary. With a good understanding of a congregation's (or conference's) past and its current configuration in today's setting, is able to imagine new and exciting possibilities. Through his work, Phil naturally instills hope and inspires congregations.
John C. Dornauer- Former General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ.
"If your church is hoping to explore pathways to future vitality, and is willing to try something new and creative, then Phil Hart could just be the catalyst you are looking for. I have watched him now for decades be the visionary change-maker who carefully, compassionately, and courageously coaches leaders to explore pathways to new vitality and relevance. He is a playful spirit with a thirst for healthy, vital congregations- and he can help inspire you to do things you never imagined or thought possible."
Daniel Busch, Association Minister Heartland Conference
Phil is truly genuine in his relationships with others and a gentle spirit as he listened and is open to diverse opinions. He is a consensus builder/leader, guiding others to understand issues from various perspectives. He quickly gets through what seems like chaos to logical and practical ways of doing things. He lives an extravagant welcome by embracing persons with diverse opinions and faith expressions. His personal faith story reflects a spirit-filled life with integrity and authenticity."
Laura Barnes- Pastor in Placerville, CA
Working with the Rev. Phil Hart was such a privilege for me. He is so very personable and relates well with ALL kinds of people- including stressed our pastors like me! He served as our Interim Conference Minister in the Northern California Nevada Conference of the UCC while I was the Moderator. He guided us toward a beautiful, innovative Vision of what a conference COULD be, and we are still reaping the benefits of that leadership. He has an incredible Gift for making what feels impossible- possible..and is such a visionary, but also good with details. I look forward to working with him again one day...soon!