Leadership-Praxis Church Leaders

WHAT DOES LEADERSHIP-PRAXIS HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR MINISTRY?

If you have been looking over this site then this page may surprise you. Why turn to a business to help define and refine the impact of your congregation or your own leadership?

Clarity – operating as we do in a competitive environment forces us to aim for clarity from the get go. Does this help your congregation? Yes, first it saves time and money. We don’t approach ministry like business – we approach ministry with the focus and compassion characteristic of stewards of God’s love and sacrifice for us. We have the tools to help you define your discipleship processes so that they can be communicated and understood by the people you lead.

Movement – we specialize in helping groups of people in a wide variety of industries turn ideas to measurable action. We can help your congregation create and implement the sequential steps of a process that cause people to move to greater areas of commitment.

Alignment – we know how to help you arrange all of your ministries and staff around simple processes because we do this every day all around the globe. But there is another alignment you need to know about us. Dr. Ray Wheeler has worked for over 25 years in local congregations, mission agencies, and demoninational functions as a campus pastor, educator, church planting coach, radio talk show host, pastoral coach, international trainer and church administrator. There are few situations that he has not worked in when it comes to the church.

Focus – focus is the commitment to abandon everything that falls outside your calling to your community. We can help you identify this focus and then we can help you stay focused on what it is God has called you to do. This may mean significant change in who you and/or your congregation think. But we have been there.
There is no coincidence by the way that these four characteristics reflect the research of Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger in their book, Simple Church. We found their research to be refreshing and timely for the situation many congregations find themselves in this rapidly changing world.

MISSION STATEMENT

Developing leaders from the inside out.

VISION STATEMENT

Leadership Praxis will lead the way in developing local church and denominational leaders who rethink the way the church asserts a dependency on the work of God’s basileia in its engagement with its social context. Rather than bifurcate spiritual and social realms we help the church integrate its faith into transformational spiritual and social action.

TEAM OF LEADERS

DR. RAY WHEELER leads our team of ministry leaders. His consistent engagement with developing leaders and integrity in faith is evident in the lasting impact he has had in a variety of ministry situations and as a theological educator.
Ray holds a Master of Arts degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California and a Doctor of Ministry from Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, California.
Our team is comprised of experienced leaders, pastors, educators and church consultants who live out faith in their context with spirit-filled vigor.

Dr. Ray Wheeler,
Founder and President

HOW CAN WE SERVE YOUR CONGREGATION?

Helping Leaders Think Strategically

Strategic thinking is not just for business, it is an exercise of faith and hope for which the church is theologically equipped but sometimes functionally deficient. It is a way of seeing things that emerges over time. In the rapidly changing world we find ourselves it is clear that old methods may no longer work but that doesn’t mean that their under-girding theology has lost its potency.

We can help you and your congregation re-engage theological reflection that applies faith to these new and challenging times. Leadership Praxis works in the assumption that when Mark said that his gospel was the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ he meant to say that we are the continuation.

Our approach stirs up new possibilities and actions through a proven process of discovery, adaptation, reinforcement, implementation and analysis which we consider the qualities of faith in action. We hold our selves accountable to help church leaders:

Grow in their spiritual formation
Grow in their ministry skills
Grow in their strategic perspectives

Defined Products and Processes

All the products and processes listed in this website have application to the church. We help you translate these tools into theological instruments of spiritual formation. We can help you:

Define and mature your board’s function
Train your leaders
Assess your discipleship processes
Offer inspirational speaking for your special events or Sunday Services
Coach your team
Coach you to greater insight and confidence
Redesign any process of your ministry operation

WHAT DO OUR CHURCH CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY?

“I first met Ray over six years ago and have sought him as a mentor for the better part of the last three. Few others possess his level of candor, insight and passion…command of industrial psychology, comprehensive knowledge of contemporary, functional structures, and strategic insights…. Ray is a provocative thinker who searches diligently for new approaches and solutions. His commitment, reputation, and consistency are impeccable. Ray’s devotion to Christ, strength of character, and ministerial successes have prompted me to write…he is a solid leader, and count it a privilege to call him my friend.”

Dennis Bachman, Lead Pastor: NewSong Church, San Dimas, California.

"Ray and I have been friends in ministry for almost 25 years. Ray is an exceptionally gifted leader and communicator...I highly recommend Ray Wheeler to you.”

Scott Hines, Senior Pastor, Klamath Christian Center, Klamath Falls, Oregon

“Ray’s performance as a coach has been stellar. In my opinion a good coach is one who says, ‘There is more to conquer in your field, keep stretching, don’t rest in your comfort zone, and you can do it! Here are some tools, ideas, possibilities for you to diligently apply and then your likelihood of success is great.’ Ray Wheeler is that person."

Larry Kapchinsky, Senior Pastor, Granite Creek Community Church, Claremont, California

“Ray has continued to be a major contributor to the Council for Christian Women in Leadership...his teaching and communication have inspired council members and students alike.”

Magie Sizer, Ph.D., Director, Christian Women in Leadership, Azusa, California

“When I met Ray I knew he was the real deal becaues he was so transparent, an open book was there for me to read, learn and grow. I did not realize that things were so muddled until Ray started to ask me such poignant questions. He made me think and re-think the way I do things so that I kdnw fo myself the true purpose of my goals.”

David Leaon, Senior Pastor, Living Stone Christian Fellowship, Mission Hills, California

“Ray Wheeler brings together a pastor’s heart for the Church - the passionate desire to equip believers for the ministry to which God is calling them - with the wisdom and foresight of a skilled leader. His theological understanding is profound, his managerial insight exceptional, his sense of humor and rich life-experience enliven potentially dry subject matters. I am deeply grateful for Ray’s salutary impact upon my church and am excited to know he’ll be doing the same for other churches.”

Maria Doerfler, Esq., Pasadena, California

“I want to thank you for helping CentrePoint leadership team move to the next level. We’ll certainly be calling you again to follow-up and give us greater insight about leadership….let me say that I will be recommending you to other pastors and leaders.

Cedric Reynolds,
Pastor: CentrePoint Church, Chino, California

“I highly respect and very much honor [Ray’s] … character, experience in Christian ministry, his work and moral ethics. I therefore, recommend him to anyone interested in developing Christian Mission Partnership with his ministry and visionary leadership.”

Philip Kato, President/Founder, Africa for Christ, Kampala, Uganda