Chris is the Rector of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Bellevue. She was ordained in 2001 and has served parishes in Pennsylvania and New York. Her consulting experience includes work with congregations, dioceses, and non-profit organizations about leadership development, staff training, stewardship, faith formation, mutual ministry review, and strategic planning. She is a certified practitioner of the Meyers-Briggs Typology Indicator. Chris has developed and facilitated vestry and congregational retreats and training programs since 1990, and she has been a congregational development consultant and trainer in the Diocese of Olympia since 2011.
What do you love most about being a congregational consultant?
I love working with Vestries and Bishop’s Committees. Because these congregational leaders care so much about their congregations and ministries, they are eager to think creatively about ways to foster the health of their congregations. I respect their knowledge of their own context and appreciate the commitment of time, energy, and emotion that they bring to our work together. As a consultant, I can respectfully ask questions about their congregational life and help them wonder how else they might want to approach a challenge or opportunity. Then, I find it very satisfying to help the group set some fresh goals or determine their next steps to a greater vision, along with making the concrete commitments that will move them forward in their ministry.
Where do you feel your strengths are as a consultant?
On the Meyers-Briggs Typology Indicator, I have a Thinking (T) preference, which means that I’m inclined to listen and process what I’m learning analytically. When I consult with a congregation, I’m able to listen with objectivity and to keep the big picture in front of people. I balance this with my deep appreciation for the unique qualities that make each congregation a beloved part of the Body of Christ.
What gets you excited to work with a particular congregation, or what are you looking for in a consulting job?
Congregations have wonderful stories to share about their life together, and I love the humor that is shared in the process. Even when a congregation is experiencing significant challenges, the relationships among the people and their willingness to be open to consider new possibilities inspires me