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Carl Shank has been a licensed natural church development (NCD) consultant since its inception to the United States in 1998. He has had advanced NCD training along with other consultant development. In addition to his M.Div. and Th.M. (systematic theology) work, Carl has been a youth, associate, solo, and lead pastor in his 40 years of church ministry, pastoring beginning and established congregations in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and New York state. He has served with Reformed Baptist, Orthodox Presbyterian and Brethren in Christ congregations and denominational groups. This wide breadth of theological and pastoral experience has helped him discern needs and problems and work with many different kinds of environments and church people. This experience culminated in his serving as a Field Associate focusing on church health for the Brethren in Christ Church in three of their five national conferences.

Carl's organizational business experience comes from a number of years working with the Chamber of Commerce board and committees of Mount Joy, PA. He served as Vice-President of that board through 2014, and has been integrally involved in that organization's health and progress.

Carl has effectively worked with over 130 congregations from a number of denominational affiliations, including Brethren in Christ, Church of the Brethren, Independent, Evangelical Free, Baptist, Church of God and Bible Fellowship churches. He has mentored numerous pastors, taught in a number of local Bible institutes as well as serving as an adjunct faculty member of The King’s College, trained InterVarsity leaders on the East Coast and has been regularly sought out for his acknowledged gifts of discernment and wisdom in dealing with church issues.

Besides numerous seminars and church related articles, his written contributions include academic journal articles such as,  "Qoheleth’s World and Life View As Seen in His Recurring Phrases," Westminster Theological Journal, 37 (1974), 57-73, and as of the end of 2018 eighteen published books, which include Living Life God’s Way: Reflections from the Psalms, Study Guide and Leader’s Guide, Romans: The Glory of God As Seen in the Righteousness of God, Jonah: A Reluctant Messenger, A Needy People, and God’s Amazing Grace, Esther: For Such A Time As This, A Study of God’s Providence, Church Warnings! The Seven Churches of Revelation for Today, Building For God: Leadership and Life Lessons from Nehemiah, The Pastoral Letters Revisited, and a sketch of historical theology, all available from Amazon and other booksellers. You can view and order any of these books and studies by accessing our "Books" page.

Carl has been married to his wonderful wife, Nancy, for 48 years and has three grown children, Stephen, Jeremy and Heidi. He lives in the Marietta, PA area and can be reached for consulting at

carl@carlshankconsulting.com or 717.385.6468 cell. Email contact is preferable.