Susan Beaumont
Senior Consulant, Author, Seminar Leader
Click here to view a movie clip of Susan Beaumont talking about her work as an Alban consultant. (Runtime: 03:45)
Background
Susan Beaumont has been involved in the development of leaders and organizations for more than twenty five years. Prior to joining the Alban Institute, Susan served as an Area Minister in the American Baptist Churches. She also managed her own consulting practice, working with congregations, nonprofit organizations and corporate clients. Susan served on the faculty of two business schools, teaching graduate level courses in leadership, management and organizational behavior. She worked for a number of years as an Audit Manager and Human Resource Manager in a major corporation. Susan is an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches, USA.
Susan’s consulting work specializes in the unique dynamics of large congregations and the staff team dynamics of middle judicatories. Her work synthesizes the best of business practice with careful theological reflection.
Philosophy of Practice
I believe that every faith-based organization has a God-given mission that is a unique reflection of the community it serves and the giftedness of its membership. A ministry that is spiritually vital, relationally whole, and organizationally strong will naturally respond to the leading of God’s spirit, discovering and engaging its mission. My approach is to support leaders as they seek to renew vision and revitalize ministry in their context. I focus on the strengths and resources my clients already possess, what they have already accomplished, and how they want to move forward. I provide models and ways of working that are tailored to congregational realities. I place emphasis on leadership vitality, relational wholeness, and organizational effectiveness.
Areas of Focus
Staff Team Assessment and Development
From time to time it makes sense to seek outside perspective on the alignment of the staff team. Is the team appropriately configured for the mission of the church? Does the team operate with synergy? Do board members and the staff team communicate and make decisions together effectively? Susan can assess the strengths and weaknesses of your staff team function, and lead you in creating action plans for further staff team development.
Board Development and Governance
As congregations grow larger the governing board must operate with increased strategic focus and clarity. Often, large congregations are faced with reducing and simplifying the size and structure of the board to improve strategic decision making. The use of an outside consultant can pinpoint needed areas of development and help to facilitate those changes.
Strategic Planning and Visioning
Planning and visioning in congregations is a “holy conversation” centered around three questions: Who are we? What has God called us to do or be? And who is our neighbor? The challenge of the large church is designing a planning process that engages a broad enough base of leaders. An outside consultant can help facilitate congregation wide participation and can help sustain interest and energy from initial data gathering, all the way through to implementation.
Pastoral Transition
The interim time period functions differently in larger congregations. Leaders of these congregations face unique challenges in sustaining momentum, aligning resources and actions, and negotiating the turbulence of change during pastoral transition. A consultant can offer valuable insight and can serve as a stabilizing presence to the search committee, board leaders, the staff team, and transitioning clergy during this vital time.
Size Transitions in the Large Church
Changes in the size of the budget and worship attendance in the large congregation involve predictable changes in staff team design, board functioning, governance practices, the senior minister’s leadership style and methods of assimilation. Susan helps congregations understand the unique challenges posed by their particular size and organizational requirements.
Education
- B.S., Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
- M.B.A., Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- M.Div., McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois
Publication
When Moses Meets Meets Aaron: Staffing and Supervision in Large Congregations, The Alban Institute, 2007
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