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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 "Qoheleth’s World and Life View As Seen in His Recurring Phrases," Westminster Theological Journal, 37 (1974), 57-73, More of Christ, Mack Publishing (1973), A Faith Journey: Steps of Faith from Here to God, 2009 (www.blurb.com), The Two-Talent Church: Truths for Health and Growth, Upfront and Indepth: Deeper Devotional Studies on Psalm 119, Making Christianity Work: Letters and Lessons on Leadership, Theology and the Church (2012), and The Inbetween Book for Church Leaders: What You Need to Know and Do To Get Where You Want To Be (2013), all available from Amazon and other booksellers.

Carl has been married to his wonderful wife, Nancy, for 47 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.