Potential Partners and Supporters

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Hello!

Speaking with pastors of different size churches, we have noticed two prevailing themes:

• Pastors of smaller churches do not have enough resources to do what they want and what is needed: “I believe in my church and am doing everything I can to maintain it, even working a second job, but I still can’t get ahead.”
• Pastors of medium-sized and bigger churches
  • Have needs that don’t require a full-time staff member: “We could use some structure and teams but don’t have the time.”
  • Have resources to support other churches and leadership but not personnel

In our 22 years of formal and informal church leadership, we have experienced both needs with a lack of resources and the availability of resources but no outlet. 

Shift Needs to Happen

The existing dilemma for many pastors and churches involves Capacity and Reserve Margin against Demand. 

Capacity = the maximum available supply

Demand = peak demand

Reserve Margin = capacity minus demand 

(Source: Energy Information Administration).

• In many cases, the DEMAND on a pastor and their CAPACITY are always at peak levels 

As we have been structuring Shift Happens as a new solution to help pastors and churches, we recently noticed that the “Fractional Executive” is emerging in the corporate world. This person is  more than a consultant, it is a way to influence and lead within multiple organizations at a time.” (Source: Cosmin Gabriel fractionalofficer.com)  

Shift Happens With Nick and Jill

Like the Fractional Executive, supporting various pastors and churches can be done simultaneously! While we can provide as-needed elements for churches, we want pastors to feel supported and dream again by focusing on three key areas:  

1. Key Note Speaker/Support Speaker

• We have delivered over 300 sermons to both small (as few as 30 people) and large (up to 2000) churches as the lead pastors, staff pastors, and speakers by invitation.
• See Jill's message when invited to speak at a church for Mother's Day here 
• Nick has a long history of strong keynote and support speaking in the areas mentioned above. This includes stand-alone messages as well as speaking for one of the weeks in a teaching series, supporting the pastor and their vision

Shift Happens Model: we work to support the pastor’s vision for the church through building a relationship with them and then tailoring our messages in support of their goals. This allows the pastor to plan and help orchestrate their calendar and teaching series plan.

2. Operations, Systems, and Processes

• We have transitioned a satellite campus to an independent church.
  • Renamed and rebranded the entire church.
  • Helped to grow the church attendance over 800% in three years.
  • Recruited and trained volunteers for multiple areas. 
  • Established ministries for community outreach to engage the church members and meet needs in our neighborhoods.
• Developed policies, procedures, and teams for a longstanding church, including security, hospitality teams, and facilities.
• Provided compliance assurance for churches and their insurance providers.
• Proofread and updated Employee Manuals for medium to large churches.

Shift Happens Model: We have a goal of helping the pastor with the development and implementation of operations, systems, and processes that not only solve immediate needs but are also built to be sustainable for the church. We will coach the pastor or other leaders on best practices for maintaining these new structures.

3. Team Development and Discipleship

• Provided formation, direction, and reworking of church worship teams to fulfill purpose within the volunteer band member’s capacity.
• Provided oversight for church-wide campaigns, including a nine-week course on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality for a large church.
• Developed, wrote, designed, and implemented a four-week discipleship onboarding class for new believers and attendees, including facilitator teaching scripts, a participant book, and streamlined branding throughout the church.
• Content writing and facilitator oversight for church-wide small group ministry.

Shift Happens Model: We recognize that the pastor cannot be everything—nor does God expect them to be. We can develop similar resources and dream up new initiatives that will help the pastor, shaping the content to the specific culture and individuals in that church. When we provide these resources, the pastor leads the way in recruiting and selecting people to help. 

Help Make Shift Happen

We seek entrepreneurial partners who can help provide financial resources so we can get the word out and focus our support on the local Pastor and Churches. Would you consider partnering with us? Through monthly recurring giving or a one-time gift, your support will allow us to help pastors and churches in the transformative shifts of ministry life. 

Are you interested but have questions? Call or email us so we can talk about a pastor’s demand and capacity!

Are you onboard and ready to partner with us? 

Click here to go to our GIVE page and become a partner!

*Please know that at this time, support is not tax deductible. 

Making Shift Happen,

Nick and Jill Nelson

248-871-7053

nickandjill@shifthappens.today

P.S. You might ask, “Why the name ‘Shift Happens’?”. Click here for our thoughts!