David Starbuck Gregory
CONGREGATIONAL TRANSITIONS *. MEDIATION. * SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
FOR CONGREGATIONS
From anxiety, to a clear way forward
David works with congregations locally and across the country. Each engagement pairs time together in person with steady remote guidance in between.
TRANSITIONAL CONSULTING
Discover who you're becoming
A pastoral vacancy is a threshold. Handled well, it becomes the moment a congregation stops longing for the church that was and starts building the church that's next. David helps leaders and members name the underlying issues, work through them honestly, and shape a compelling vision for the culture they actually serve.
How an engagement works
THE BEGINNING
In-person session: listening, grounding and intensive group work with leaders and congregation
THE WORK
Remote implementation and follow-through over Zoom, at the rhythm of your congregation and its leadership
FINISHING
In-person session: integrating the work and launching the new vision
80 hours of consulting over 3, 6 or 9 months
Additional time can be contracted as needed
SEARCH CONSULTATION
When the traditional path doesn't fit
Not every congregation can, or should, call an interim minister. David works directly with search committees to plan the process, gather honest feedback from the whole congregation about who the church is now, and set realistic expectations for the search and call.
"The Conference directed us to David Gregory. He met with the Search Committee remotely to strategize, then came to Homer and ran a double weekend workshop to solicit feedback from much of the congregation on who the church is now and what we want from our new pastor. The workshop helped ground the members of the congregation with reasonable expectations for the search and call."
Jim McKenna, Homer Congregational
CONGREGATIONAL MEDIATION
When division threatens your future
Trained in mediation through the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, David offers impartial, skilled guidance for congregations caught in conflict. He has helped churches work through:
Inclusion & Diversity
Organizational structure
Leadership styles
Denominational expectations
Congregational conflict
When long-held hurts are blocking the way, David may lead a healing circle: a safe, carefully covenanted space where people can tell their stories and be heard, without the pressure of a quick fix.
Can you add a sentence or short story to illustrate your approach when a room is truly split?
"He created a truly safe and supportive space where individuals felt comfortable sharing their deeply personal stories. David's compassionate presence and his ability to encourage honest sharing without the expectation of a 'fix' were much appreciated by all."
Kathy Ferro, Plymouth Congregational
Mediation engagements follow the same pattern as transitional consulting: in-person sessions early and late, with remote work in between.
Fees
Every congregation's needs are different, so fees start with a conversation. You can also request David's fee schedule.