Here is some information about us.
Jim Dougans
Jim has worked on urban planning issues in New York City and the Bay Area.
Jim's experience as a church consultant dates to 1987. He has served as a consultant to the Interfaith Council on Racial Reconciliation, Indiana Council of Churches, ODYSSEY Cable Channel, Bread for the World Institute, Church World Service (Indiana Region), Church of the Brethren (Indiana South Central District) and Westminster Community Center (New Castle, IN).
For the last eighteen years he has focused on developing and growing churches. He has prepared over 50 demographic and feasibility studies for new church developments. Clients include: Pittsburgh Presbytery, Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, IN/KY Conference of the United Church of Christ, Christian Evangelistic Association (WA), California Classis (Reformed Church in America), Bay Presbyterian Church (Cleveland), and St. John Lutheran Church (Indianapolis).
He holds degrees from Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis (Master of Theological Studies); Pratt Institute, Brooklyn (Master of Science, City and Regional Planning); and Wayne State University, Detroit (Bachelor of Arts).
David Ezekiel
David is currently the Interim Synod Executive for the Synod of Rocky Mountains.
Previously he was the interim senior pastor of the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Elgin, IL. His task is to help them redirect their efforts, re-engage their community, and re-envision their future. It is a work in progress, but they have responded in faith by selling their church building, relocating to temporary space, contemplating their mission, learning about evangelism, learning about the practices of the missional church, and buying new property on which to build.
In addition, Rev. Ezekiel served as the Associate Executive Presbyter for Congregational Development for the Presbytery of Chicago, resourcing its 107 churches. While there David helped facilitate the formal organization of 3 new churches and the development of several immigrant fellowships. He also worked with established congregations to discern new paths of ministry and focus the Lord was leading them to adopt.
By ecclesiastical standing, he is an ordained Presbyterian minister, and has served and resourced churches in the Episcopal, Baptist, UCC, and Presbyterian traditions.
David’s ministry gifts are in assisting congregations to successfully engage transitions, undergo transformation, develop leadership, clarify vision and values, and effect healing. He has also done extensive consulting work in these areas. Rev. Ezekiel also serves on the Board of the Knox Fellowship, one of the evangelism arms of the denomination.
As a continual learner of how the Holy One is active in the world, some of David’s studies have taken him to Cuba, China, Scotland, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. These experiences have allowed first-hand observations of the inter-relationships of the Church, the state, and society and the sphere of influence each has with the other. He is about to conclude his doctoral work in the area of the revitalization of older churches. His topic is: Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled: A Means By Which Older Congregations May Experience The Resurrection.
Sandra Hawley
Sandra brings a unique combination of professional and church experience to the consulting task. Her experience includes 20 years in church development (new and transformation) at all governing body levels. Her experience also encompasses knowledge of, and leadership in, diverse groups and settings. She has worked in the areas of: planning and development of new services, technologies and products; quality and effectiveness assessment; efficient committee and group structure and function; and conflict management. She holds degrees from the University of Dayton (Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering), University of Delaware, (Master of Science-Statistics) and Iowa State University (Bachelor of Science - Mathematics and Statistics).