The document introduces Jack Gowen, a pastor with 26 years of experience who is offering consulting services to churches. It discusses how he can draw on his experience to help pastors and church leaders with various aspects of ministry including worship, Christian education, outreach, administration/finances, building/property issues, fundraising, and teaching stewardship concepts. The goal is to strengthen churches and assist them in achieving their mission and vision.

1. I AM JACK GOWEN
After 26 years as a local church pastor, I have
become fully aware of the many burdens that
pastors and church staff share in fulfilling their
multiple roles. Some burdens are thrust upon
pastors and staff due to the changing culture we
face. Others are due to the expectations upon
shepherds in leading God’s people. In any and
every case, pastors need assistance from time to
time that strengthens their ability to lead and
places the church God has entrusted them with in
the best position for Christ-honoring success. My
experience as a pastor has taught me that
methods will often change in reaching our
generation, but the message must remain the
same. My experience has also provided me with
insights I believe will help pastors, staff and even
church leaders sharpen their skills in fulfilling their
responsibilities in reaching people for Christ in a
contemporary setting.
It is with this desire to aid the local church that
God has placed a calling in my heart to lend my
experience to others in hopes that God can
encourage pastors and enable churches to
achieve their vision of mission and ministry. To
meet this end, I am offering a ministry to churches
in a consulting relationship, offering what God has
taught me through the years. Whether enhancing
an existing ministry focus or assisting in the design
of a ministry plan for a new vision, it is my prayer
that my knowledge will assist you and your church
in areas where your ministry could gain strength.
502 South Pollard Street, Suite 11 Providing
Vinton, Virginia 24179
Phone: 540-527-0160
Biblically-Based
Email: jackgowen@yahoo.com Consulting Services
On the web: for Churches
www.gowenconsultingfirm.com

2. WORSHIP CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OUTREACH & EVANGELISM
Developing and Organizing Authentic Whether you are talking about pastors, staff, or Perhaps like nothing else the one mandate we
Worship Services lay ministry leaders, leadership is always crucial have as a church that is culture challenged is
Something as simple as strategic worship to success or failure in carrying out ministry reaching our world for Christ. Well planned
planning will go a long way in setting the tone of plans. Basis understanding of Christian outreach ministries allow for the church’s
worship for all who enter the church on Sunday. Members and Education Concepts provides the groundwork from which potential to be maximized. My experience can assist you in
guests alike have a need to know what is happening, why, and organization and ministry develops. Providing the right evaluating your current outreach strengths and weaknesses as
how it affects their life in every given worship experience. Many atmosphere may be as simple as evaluation of current space well as developing strategies fit for your congregation to
pastors could utilize assistance in worship planning and utilization or additionally needed facilities to grow the ministry. accomplish outreach goals. I can assist in showing you how to
churches could use the encouragement as they learn that what Or it could mean making sure that the organization is set up for utilize current community graphics to develop specific ministry
is planned for Sundays as well as other times is uniquely appropriate age levels for growth. It could also include the abilities fit for your church. I can assist you in choosing an
planned for their spiritual growth and encouragement. evaluation of curriculum and its suitability in achieving the appropriate evangelism tool, or development of one that fits
goals stated and adopted in the ministry plan of the church. Or your congregation. I can assist in the development of a ministry
The Holy Spirit’s Role in Worship it could mean understanding the cultural position God has team to help your guests feel warmly welcomed and desire to
The key to authentic worship begins with the placed you in as a church and adjusting to meet the return. I can even help you develop a strategy to make your
work of the Holy Spirit in both planning and opportunities as they exist. church known in the community.
implementation of the worship experience. The
Bible clearly teaches us that it is the purpose In any case, having someone to assist you in evaluation of any
and role of the Holy Spirit to Glorify Christ. As a church, reaching our world for Christ is our highest
or all of these necessary indications of church education and mandate. At times it takes fresh objective look from people
Therefore understanding how to trust Him and rely upon Him leadership may prove to be just the link needed to move your
for authenticity in worship, results of worship, and the with experience to bring things into real focus.
ministry to the next level. I fully understand that apart form the
implementation into our daily lives is key to our purpose. Lord’s leadership, involvement, and empowerment, we can do
nothing that honors Him, but at times God provides godly
Planning Additional Services and/or
Styles of Worship
wisdom, experience, and council that can move us in the right BUILDING AND PROPERTY ISSUES
direction…His direction. This is what I believe I can offer you At times churches struggle with decisions to
Many churches today face the decision about
and your church. build for future ministry or to simply remodel
multiple services times, contemporary or
their existing facilities, retooling them for
blended formats, and what kind of adjustments
anticipated ministry. What are the right
they can make adapting to changing trends
questions to ask? What are the wrong
without compromising the integrity of the message being ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE motivations for building? Is timing a factor? What type of
proclaimed. Timing, strategic planning to change, culturing I have discovered that one of the least attended facilities will provide our best chance to succeed in ministry?
change through the church, and leadership development are to and potentially troubling areas of ministry in How do we procure and use architectural help once we have
all very important in making these decisions. These changes local churches relates to carrying out the made a decision to move forward? All of these questions need
should be contemplated and implemented with the kind of administrative needs of the church and some discerning answers. I believe I have the experience to
care that encouragement from one who has been there planning appropriately for a finance plan to assist pastors and church leaders in moving through this
provides. accomplish both in such a way as to honor Christ. Creating and process.
implementing a budget is secondary to establishing an
administrative model for the church to function. Whether it is And if the need for the church is help in beginning and
organizing a truly informational business meeting that benefits
STEWARDSHIP the membership or learning to write for various available
planning for a Fundraising campaign for debt reduction or
Many pastors feel the need to teach and preach providing additional ministry development, I believe my
grants for additional ministry, I can assist in accomplishing experience could be beneficial to you.
a Biblical concept of Stewardship while being
your goals. I can assist in helping leadership organize to be
uncomfortable in doing so. Likewise many
ministry focused and ministry driven. I can help look at short Whatever need for assistance you may have, I would be
churches lack to understand the mandates
term and long term ministry goals and implement them into a delighted to talk with you and determine how I may help you.
pastors have to preach the whole council of
strategy for financial and functional success. You are welcome to give me a no obligation phone call for
God’s Word including how we handle our money.
I believe that Jesus was convinced that money was one of the discussion and evaluation of your needs. You are not alone in
main things in our world that has the potential to rob us of the the ministry. By God’s grace I will do my best to assist you
joy of living for and serving Him. I believe I have the ability to personally and your church family corporately for His glory.
come along pastors and church in assisting in teaching
Stewardship Concepts that both encourage and enable the Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another
church and assist the pastor in joyfully fulfilling his mandate. with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with
Whether it is assisting in the development of a planned annual
stewardship campaign or moving toward a special Financial gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do
need I can assist in seeing the goal accomplished. all in the name of our Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
— Colossians 3:16-17 (NIV)