What has to happen in the next three years for you to be truely happy with the progress of your local church?

The answer to this question is critical to the long-term success of your local church or Christian ministry.  Yet, most of the church leaders that I meet with have never taken the time to write down the answer, which is why we developed the Ministry-Based Strategic Planning & Organizational Model (MBSP). It not only helps you answer the question, it also provides a proven model for creating alignment and consensus around the future vision.

MBSP is a unique, team-driven planning and developmental process has been used successfully by over 5,000 ministry leaders worldwide. It enables you to create a shared vision for the next 3 years without the resistance of traditional strategic planning efforts.

We have proven that you can develop a ministry organization that fulfills the vision that God has given you. It requires sound planning, good management, and ongoing leadership development at every level. If you would like to know about how our model works, click on the picture below for a larger view of the work we do, and contact us if you would like to know more about how we work with local churches or Christian ministries. Click on picture to enlarge.

 The MBSP Model Involves:

• A Planning Facilitator with Team Input
• 4 to 6 Teams from the Church
• 6 Month Consulting Agreement
• Assessment of External Environment
• Audit of Internal Environment
• Ministry Model Development
• Church-wide Prayer Strategy (3 years)
• Strategic Planning Document (3 years)
• Budget and Finance (3 years)
• Ministry Management Workshop (All Staff and Ministry Leaders)
• 4 to 5 Onsight Consultations by IOL Staff
• Recommendations for Improvement

Ministry Management Model

The planning model also offers a wide range of ministry management tools that enable the church to dramatically improve its organizational effectiveness. IOL works closely with the church leadership and staff to develop ministry operational manuals for every program, ministry, and activity and set up a church wide training program to quickly assimilate new workers into volunteer positions. We also assist with specific training areas related to time management, staff development, pastoral care, capital stewardship campaigns, and many other ministry-critical areas.

Leadership Development

IOL provides its church and ministry clients with a variety of leadership development resources including Coaching for Life executive coaching program, leadership 360 assessments, individual and team personality profiles, professional counseling and crisis intervention.

• Coaching for LifeTM
• Staff Retreats
• Staff and Team Assessments
• RightPath 4/6 Personality Profiles
• RightPath Leadership 360 Assessment
• Personal Leadership Plans
• Professional Counseling and Coaching

These live online webinars will be designed specifically for pastoral leaders and will deal with specific issues related to leading and managing a local church.

Special invitations are being sent out via email to our IOL database, but if you are not a member of the site and would like to register for an upcoming event, simply email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact Amanda Hartness the IOL office at 770-419-1716.

A list of upcoming topics and dates will be posted in the next few days if you have not already received an email announcement. If you have a topic or issue you would like to hear discussed during one of the upcoming online events, please send a note to Dr. Chambers directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Don't miss this opportunity to speak with Dr. Chambers directly about some of the most important organizational issues facing local churches in the US and abroad.  He will also be interviewing people from different disciplines and all the interviews will be available on the new IOLGLOBAL.NET channel coming this Summer.

Event: Pastoral Leadership Online Series
Facilitator: Dr. Chambers and Special Guests
Cost: No Charge for Pastoral Leaders
Register: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 770-419-1716

Dimensions of Global Leadership
May 11-14, 2009
Curitiba, Brazil

Dr. Chambers will be teaching in Curitiba, Brazil May 11-14, 2009 at SPEI University.  The course will be LS602 Global Dimensions of Leadership and is part of a new graduate program partnership between Beulah Heights University (BHU) of Atlanta and SPEI in Curitiba, Brazil.  He will also be accompanied by Dr. Doug Chatham, Director of Graduate Studies at BHU.

The course, Dimensions of Global Leadership, will offer a research-based look at leadership in a global society, and introduce learners to historical principles related to both change and leadership, and provides a context for them to integrate their new and existing understanding of these dynamics into the practice of leadership within their own organizations.

Specific attention is given to the transition from theory to practice, with a specific focus on the practical application of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and habits as it relates to personal leadership development and organizational change management. During this course, learner’s will review and analyze leadership and change management principles from both a historical and modern perspective. The will also be exposed to a formal change management model developed by John Kotter, humanized planned change model development by Dr. Chambers and his collogues at the Institute for Organizational Leadership, and variety of other organizational change resources. Learners will have an opportunity to apply course content to the organization of their choice as part of case study and learning team activities.