I am deeply grateful to great colleagues and ministry peers. True Christian consultants are more concerned about the Christians they serve than peddling a "consulting gig." With great honor, I can reference these people. And, don't hesitate to use the contact page if I can be of additional assistance connecting you to helpful people.  

Church Consultants

I am indebted to two men mentioned earlier that must be described a little more here. 

The late Charles Siburt was a nationally recognized church consultant (often referred to as the “Church Doctor”), director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Abilene Christian University, director of the Center for Church Enrichment, associate dean for ministry services and church programs in the graduate school of theology, and the Frazer professor of Church Enrichment. He developed and directed Elderlink, the Minister Support Network, and he provided conflict mediation and counseling for churches and church leaders.

Charles also served as an elder at the University Church of Christ in Abilene and taught graduate ministry courses, including Introduction to Christian Ministry, Church Leadership, Pastoral Ministry Skills for Church Leaders, and Managing Conflict in Churches.  He served ministers, church leaders, and congregations in many different ways.

Charles completed his A. A. degree at Lubbock Christian University before graduating from Abilene Christian University with a B. A. degree in 1968 and a M.Div. degree in 1971.  He earned his D.Min. from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1978.  He went to ACU in 1988 after serving as a minister in several congregations.  He performed seminars and consultations in scores of congregations in the U. S. and Canada.

Charles was first a professor, then a mentor, a friend, and then a colleague. He went on to be with the Lord and will be greatly missed.

Flavil Yeakley served as a professor of Bible and Religion at Harding University and served as Director of Harding University's Center for Church Growth Studies for a number of years. He is a well-known author and is quoted across the nation by well known figures in the areas of Church Growth. He has served as president of the American Society for Church Growth and president for the Association for Psychological Type. He has received awards for his research in both contexts. Dr. Yeakley has studied leadership and patterns of growth and decline among Churches of Christ for many decades. He conducted more than 100 congregational assessments throughout the United States and Canada. He served as Director of Harding's Office of Outcomes Assessment for over 10 years and was a member of the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Moreover, he served in full-time local church ministry as a preacher, elder, and/or deacon for 20 years.

Dr. Yeakley has B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Houston and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He wasbeen happily married to Maydell Yeakley for over 50 years. They have three children and eight grandchildren.  For access to much of his life's work, please visit the Flavil Yeakley Research Library. Or, you can Click here to see a description of Dr. Yeakley's impact in my personal life. 

Much of my work is influenced by and dedicated to Drs. Charles Siburt and Flavil Yeakley. We have, together, a combined experience of over 100 years caring for thousands church leaders and hundreds of churches. Drs. Siburt and Yeakley helped me to exponentially increase the insight from lessons learned. I am deeply indebted to both of these men. I want you to benefit from how they benefitted me.

Other Consultants

Click the links for more information.

Carlus Gupton, Life & Leadership, Director for Doctor of Ministry degree at Lipscomb University. Church Leadership expert & resource for Lipscomb University CBTE. 

Chris Buxton, Ulife Consulting & Campus Ministry, Campus Ministry expert / resource person / faculty for Harding University & Lipscomb University faculty coach for CBTE. 

Emmanuel White, Brotherhood of Men with Ewhite ministries & Lead Evangelist for Forrest Hills Church of Christ, Forrest Hill, TX.

Gabriel Avila, Advanced Eye Care, Pure Heart Vision, Lipscomb CBTE Ministry Mentor

Jerry Barber, Interim Ministry & Coaching Care for Shepherds

Jesse Trice, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Counseling psychologist, Christian Leadership Coach, Pure Heart Vision, Lipscomb University CBTE Ministry Mentor.

Willie Williams, Lead evangelist at North Colony Church of Christ in The Colony, TX, Lipscomb University CBTE Ministry Mentor.

Faculty Colleagues

Harding University blessed me with a biblical/theological foundation that has served me well for many years. Teaching at Harding University provided growth of a different kind that includes many friends who provide assistance, accountability, biblical depth, and combined hundreds of years of ministry experience across the U.S.

Here I simply reference the bible and ministry faculties of Harding University and Lipscomb University. Click the links below for more information.

Harding University Bible & Ministry Faculty

Lipscomb University Bible & Ministry Faculty

Organizations

Harding University
I served as an associate professor before becoming a full professor director for the Center for Spiritual Leadership. I taught undergraduate and graduate courses in ministry, leadership, and conflict management for the Center for Advanced Ministry Training. The Center for Spiritual Leadership was formerly directed by Dr. Flavil Yeakley. 

Lipscomb University is now a place I can recommend as well as Harding University. To see my transition from Harding University to Lipscomb University please note my open letter to my Harding University students and the article regarding my appointment to direct the CBTE work at Lipscomb University.

Open Letter to Harding Students

Randy Willingham Appointment to Lipscomb University CBTE

Lipscomb University: CBTE (Competency Based Theological Education)

Lipscomb University: Doctor of Ministry Program

John 3:17 Ministries
A non-profit faith-based, Christian Recovery Center, committed to being a safe, nurturing environment for women overcoming addiction(s), making positive lifestyle changes, developing spirituality, and becoming productive members of society. Click here to see the people of this powerful ministry. Click on the John 3:17 link above to go to the web site and get help for a loved one. 

John 3:16 does not seek to provide treatment but seeks to provide the cure for addiction. The ministry is a spiritual boot camp for men wrestling addictions. The ministry is extremely impactful for the men who receive the provided healing AND for the people blessed by these men afterward. Nothing stops them. Bryan Tuggle, the director, once told me "Jesus said to go out and serve. When he said that he knew Covid would occur." Covid did not and would not stop these men from giving care to others. They know what it means to give, and they take the giving of themselves to very rare level! 

Pure Heart Vision 
A non-profit ministry to help Christians live their calling in God's mission. We provide care, consulting, coaching and collaborative opportunities for Christian Ministries.