VCI Team

E. Stanley Ott – Founder and President

As President of the Vital Churches Institute (VCI), Stan's passion is the transformation of the mainline church. Stan teaches the principles of congregational vitality, transformation, missional endeavor, and leadership. His impact reaches thousands of folks throughout US and abroad through the Acts 16:5 Initiative, his published writing and his teaching engagements.

As pastor, Stan has over thirty years of first-hand knowledge of the hard work and challenges that lead to the blessings of being a transformational congregation that moves to new vitality.

Stan's Publications include:

• "Twelve Dynamic Shifts for Transforming Your Church" (Eerdmans)
• "Transform Your Church with Ministry Teams"(Eerdmans)
• "The Vibrant Church: A People Building Plan for Congregational Health" (Regal)
• "The Joy of Discipling: Friend with Friend and Heart with Heart" (Zondervan)
• Vision for a Vital Church (Vital Churches Institute)
• Small Group Life (Vital Churches Institute)

Contact: Stan@vitalchurches.com

Kathi Busch - Coach and Consultant

Kathi's passion is developing leaders who model being the Church, the Body of Christ, the physical presence of Jesus in the world today.  As the pastor of a church on the way to being a transformational ministry, Kathi has practiced the principles of the Acts 16:5 Initiative  for more than 10 years.  During her term as Moderator of New Castle Presbytery, she was instrumental in encouraging the presbytery to adopt the Acts 16:5 Initiative as their process for church transformation.  Ministry is Kathi's fourth career, after piano teacher and church musician, mom and insurance sales.  She thinks this one is going to stick!  Kathi holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Divinity degrees.  

Contact: revkathi1@comcast.net

 

 

 Hoyt Byrum - Coach and Consultant

Hoyt has served congregations since 1975 with a double focus of: helping individual Christians become mature in their faith and helping congregations become transformational in their ministry and mission. Hoyt has particular expertise in:

• Developing a Small Group ministry.
• Deploying effective Stewardship efforts.
• Leading groups in the concepts of the Acts 16:5 Initiative.

Hoyt holds a Bachelors of Science degree, a Master of Arts in Counseling, a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry.
Contact: Hoyt@vitalchurches.com

Anne Clifton Hebert – Coach and Consultant

Anne has over twenty years of experience serving churches in Oklahoma, Michigan, New York and Texas. Developing pastors and teams as Christ-centered leaders is where her heart is. She believes the vitality of the local church is God's hope for the world. Anne has great personal experience leading her congregation through the Acts 16:5 Initiative and enjoys leading other churches through the process. She has been a key player in helping those at the Presbytery level envision a new future with the essentials of transformation. Anne holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance and a Master of Divinity degree.
Contact: Anne@vitalchurches.com

Steve Ebling – Coach and Consultant

Steve's passion is to help people and congregations grow into the disciples Christ is calling them to be. Currently, he is leading an Acts 16:5 Initiative team in the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley. He has served churches in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana for over twenty years as an Associate and Senior Pastor. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree, a Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Divinity degree.
Contact: Steve@vitalchurches.com

 

Tom Houston – Coach and Consultant

Tom is passionate about helping people to grow in a life-long journey with Jesus. Throughout his ministry, he has worked closely with seekers and disciples of all ages to help them to know and relate with their Living Lord and to be the unique creation that God has called them to be.

For over 13 years Tom has served as Pastor or Associate Pastor to churches in Pennsylvania and Ohio. His experience also includes working with Youth for Christ and serving as Executive Director of the World Bible Quiz Association.

Tom is excited to help churches align their shared life and mission around the concepts of the Acts 16:5 Initiative as they embrace the process of congregational transformation.  Tom holds a Bachelors of Arts in Youth Ministry and a Master of Divinity degree.
Contact: Tom@vitalchurches.com

Linda Jaberg – Coach and Consultant

Linda has extensive experience in serving the local church and building bridges in the surrounding community. She has served churches in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida. Having held a variety of leadership positions, Linda has had a profound influence, especially on children. Linda knows participating in the Acts 16:5 Initiative is key to the successful transition that her church is going through. Having experienced and resolved the conflict within the church leadership; the congregation is now positioned for spiritual renewal and new growth. With more than thirty years in ministry, Linda is well-prepared to guide church leaders desiring transformation. Linda holds a Bachelor of Arts in History with a Minor in Secondary Education and a Master of Divinity degree with an emphasis in Pastoral Care.
Contact: linda@vitalchurches.com

Dale Patterson - Coach and Consultant

Dale has several years working in the world of sales and marketing with Fortune 500 companies. He has over twenty-eight years of experience in large and small congregations including New Church Development. Dale's heart is bringing the message of refreshment and the invigorating hope of Christ-centered living to the many in our communities who are disenfranchised from the church. He is an experienced pastor in leading a congregation with the concepts of the Acts 16:5 Initiative. Dale writes the blog www.faithfulcurmudgeon.com and a daily e-devotional, Enjoy Life, Enjoy God. Dale is also the author of In the Snare of the Fowler. Contact: Dale@vitalchurches.com

Ginni Richards – Consultant

Ginni Richards brings extensive experience from both the hospitality industry and leadership in the church to the issues of personal and organizational transformation as they are encountered in the church. As the program facilitator of a large congregation, she knows the challenges of leading people to own and implement new vision and direction. Ginni is currently working on a church-wide initiative to implement a strategy to transition her home congregation to being a church of Small Groups. By bringing a collaborative and flexible approach to project development Ginni is able to help congregations address a variety of opportunities and challenges with creativity and imagination. Ginni holds a Bachelor of Science degree, and a Master of Business degree with an emphasis in Marketing.
Contact: Ginni@vitalchurches.com

Pam Volk – Administrator

Pam Volk has a wide range of experience in the Human Resources field through Kelly Services, Harvard University and the University of Pittsburgh. After time at home with young children, she joined Stan in the adventure that is church transformation. Pam has experienced the powerful effect that church transformation has on individuals and congregations not only through her work with VCI but also as a member of the Pleasant Hills Presbyterian Church where Stan was Senior Pastor. She has lived the message that Stan delivers. Pam holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.
Contact: Pam@vitalchurches.com