If you’d like to learn how to make decisions wisely check out my book from Zondervan!
About Dr. Alan Ehler
Doctor Alan Ehler is the Director of Southeastern University’s Doctor of Ministry degree program and Professor of Practical Theology. He also directs SEU’s Master of Arts in Ministerial Leadership, serves as Teaching Pastor at Faith Celebration Church in Lakeland, Florida, and is Founder and CEO of Big Decisions Consulting.
Between 2013 and 2021, he was Dean of SEU’s Barnett College of Ministry and Theology. In that role, he oversaw up to 27 full time faculty and more than 2,200 students in ten undergraduate, five master’s, and one doctoral degree program on campus in Lakeland, Florida, online, and at more than 150 extension sites across the country. He continues to regularly teach at all levels. From 2008-2013 he served as Department Chair and Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministries at Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. During that time he was also the Overseer of Branch Churches for Cedar Park Church, a large multi-site church near Seattle. Alan was Lead Pastor at Warm Beach Community Church near Stanwood, Washington (2000-2008), and associate/youth pastor at Bellevue (Washington) Neighborhood Church from 1995-2000 after serving seven years of active duty as a civil engineering officer in the US Air Force. Alan completed a Doctor of Ministry Degree from George Fox Evangelical Seminary, Masters of Divinity equivalency work at Fuller Seminary and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, a Master of Arts in Religion degree from Liberty University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Zondervan (HarperCollins Publishing) released Alan’s book, Making Big Decisions Wisely, and its associated MasterLecture course in February 2020. Alan is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and has served as a district presbyter, church coach and consultant, and in a variety of other roles. Alan has been married to Keira for thirty years. They have two adult children (Hannah and Stephen) and enjoy bicycling.
How to Make
Big Decisions Wisely
Not all of our decisions warrant much consideration, but a lot rides on the big ones. Your career, relationships, health, and fulfillment often come down to a few key decisions. How do you make those? Do you just let things happen or go with your gut? Sometimes that works, but making important decisions without a careful process often creates disasters. Alan Ehler, dean at one of America’s fastest growing universities, gives you an achievable method to follow to make wise decisions when it really matters. In How to Make Big Decisions Wisely, Alan lays out a model for decision making that integrate the findings of neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and decision science with a biblical study of how the Apostle Paul made decisions and directed those in the churches he founded to make decisions. This method works for decisions in both your individual life and in the organizations you lead. There is even a chapter on how to apply the method to resolving conflicts.
PowerWords
Read Alan’s blog for relevant thoughts drawn from the Bible to power your day.
Need a speaker or coach?
Dr. Alan Ehler is ready to help you, your church, your ministry, or your organization in one of the following ways:
Speaking - Alan’s doctoral dissertation was on effective preaching, and he has taught preaching to over 1,000 students at the graduate and undergraduate levels. He preaches exegetically (from a single biblical text), topically, and narratively (portraying a biblical or historical character in the first person – often in costume – with application for today’s listeners). He is comfortable joining a church’s message series, addressing a particular issue at a church’s request, or bringing standalone message of his own choosing. He is also eager to speak to other types of gatherings, as well.
Decision Coaching – In a one-on-one session, Alan will walk you through the four steps of Story Shaping described in fuller detail in How to Make Big Decisions Wisely to help you intentionally and systematically read the old story of the dilemma you face, catch God’s story to see if the Bible or the Holy Spirit may give some direction, craft a new story to make the decision, then tell the new story in a compelling way to those impacted by the decision.
Decision Training – Alan can train a congregation or team of leaders or staff how to make decisions using the Story Shaping method as part of a special event. This can be done in a three-hour or six-hour seminar over one or two days or a weekly series.
Strategic Planning Coaching – Alan will lead your team through an intentional strategic planning process. This ideally begins with an assessment of the current situation, including a review of information about the church or organization and will ideally including a survey completed by key ministry leaders. The planning session will usually include advance research and a Friday night and all day Saturday coaching session with the leadership team. The days can be adjusted to align with the schedules of those involved. A retreat setting is often ideal for a staff team.
Secret Worshipper Service Evaluation – A team of diverse individuals can attend your worship service(s) without you or your team being aware of who they and when they visit (within a specified window). They will take part in the service as normal guests then give an overall evaluation of the worship experience and assimilation process from the perspective of a first-time guest. This can be completed on its own or as part of an overall ministry analysis or strategic planning process for a church seeking to better reach and integrate guests.
If Alan can help you through speaking or coaching, please fill out this form.