Currently Britt has been appointed to serve as the Priest-in-charge at St. Luke’s, Seattle during a time of turnaround. Previously she served as Canon to the Ordinary and Canon for Evangelism and Congregational Development in the dioceses of Northern California and El Camino Real. She was ordained in 1996 and has served parishes in Oregon and Nevada.
Britt has extensive experience consulting with congregations, dioceses and Episcopal organizations in every aspect of their life and ministry. She has worked with clergy and lay leadership and provided training in welcoming, newcomer incorporation, spiritual life development, strategic planning, conflict management, stewardship, leadership development and new missional initiatives. She has developed and facilitated clergy transition processes, mutual ministry reviews, lay and clergy conferences and annual Vestry retreats.
What do you love most about being a congregational consultant?
I am excited to be with congregations when they are in a time of transformation and transition. Each congregation comes with a unique set of dynamics. Transformation and transition are often accompanied by anxiety as well as excitement, by challenge as well as opportunity. I enjoy listening deeply to the hopes and fears of leaders and developing a process that addresses the particular nature of their situation.
Over the past 20 years I have worked with at least 150 difference congregations. It has been thrilling to be part of the building of two new churches and the restoration of many who had experienced a devastating split or conflict. I have also had the privilege of walking with a few congregations who have made the decision to close and to be reborn in a new way.
As a consultant I get the opportunity to view the system from a slight distance yet with deep love and respect. Many have called me a “church whisperer” because of my ability to observe and then develop interventions that fit their needs and help them move forward.
Where do you feel your strengths are as a consultant?
My experience with so many different and wonderful congregations over many years have given me a variety of tools and skills. Currently I serve as a priest in a very challenging situation and have served both a large, wealthy congregation and a smaller church that tripled in size over the 7 years I was the Rector.
The truth is that I fall in love with every church I work with. I commit to praying regularly for them and want to see them flourish in the way that is specific to their God-given gifts and context.
What gets you excited to work with a particular congregation, or what are you looking for in a consulting job?
I’m up for a challenge! I get excited when people are asking questions, or dissatisfied with the way things are, or stuck but know that something needs to change. I also love helping congregations to see how wonderful and blessed they are so that they can really appreciate the presence of God’s Spirit in their life together. I believe that every congregation has been given what they need to flourish and it is my joy to help them lift that up and move forward.