David Brubaker

David Brubaker has nearly 40 years of experience in organizational and congregational consulting. He is the author of numerous articles and several books on change and conflict, including When the Center Does Not Hold: Leading in an Age of Polarization and Promise and Peril: Understanding and Managing Change and Conflict in Congregations. He also co-authored The Little Book of Healthy Organizations, and is co-author of a new book on congregations engaging their communities to be published by Bloomsbury.

David began consulting with congregations and other faith-based and nonprofit organizations in 1987 while working with Mennonite Conciliation Service. In the years since, he has consulted or trained with more than 100 organizations in 15 countries, including Angola, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Nepal, Myanmar, and the United Kingdom.

A founding partner of Cooperative By Design, LLC, David is also part of the Congregational Consulting Group, a team of former Alban consultants. Having recently retired from Eastern Mennonite University, David is now affiliated with CHC-PMX to further collaborate with the broad spectrum of individuals consulting with religious congregations.

Q & A with David:

What inspired you to serve as a church consultant?

My love for congregations came both from my family of origin (as my father, sister, and brother were all ministers) and from my own observation of the benefits of congregations to their members and to their communities.

How do you integrate your faith and training?

I firmly believe that "nothing is wasted in God's economy." This means that even the deepest challenges and conflicts have the potential to be transformed to become mechanisms for the growth and health of the congregation. That's why we call our work "conflict transformation"...not just "conflict management."

What are your primary areas of focus?

The primary requests I receive from congregations are for visioning work, structure review/alignment, and managing change and conflict. Like many other organizations, congregations are adapting to a rapidly changing environment and need support and guidance in doing so.

What kinds of churches or leaders do you feel called to work with?

I have worked with congregations of multiple denominations, ranging from Baptist to Episcopal, and also with houses of worship of traditions other than Christian. Our faith traditions and rituals are a powerful resource for reconciliation and the healing of the nations.

Can you share a memorable success story or impact from your work?

In every consulting process I work with a "Reference Team" that consists of a diverse group of members and leaders in the congregation. My greatest joy comes from watching them become a supportive team that sets aside personal agendas to strive for the good of the congregation and the community.

Why does this work matter to you?

My father pastored five different congregations in three states during his career, and the last congregation experienced a painful and divisive conflict at the end of his tenure. Witnessing that experience as a young man I realized that congregations can be a source of both great healing and great harm. I'm committed to expanding the former and diminishing the latter.

Do you have a favorite scripture, quote, or practice that guides your work?

I have long appreciated I Peter 3:15. "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience...."

Available for Consultation in: Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

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