Mike Bonem
Consultant, Coach, Author
Mike Bonem is a consultant, coach, author, speaker, husband and father. He offers a unique mix of world-class consulting and executive leadership experience to help churches, ministries, and their leaders turn vision into results.
Mike holds an MBA, with distinction, from Harvard Business School. He was a senior manager with McKinsey & Company, one of the world’s leading management consulting firms, and held executive leadership roles in two businesses. He subsequently served over 10 years as the executive pastor of a large Baptist church in Houston.
In his consulting, Mike works with congregations, denominational bodies, and faith-based non-profits on vision discernment, strategy implementation, and organizational design. He also coaches leaders in these organizations to improve their effectiveness. He has spoken at conferences across the country and internationally, including presentations for the Willow Creek Association, The Purpose-Driven Church (Saddleback Church), Christian Leadership Alliance and Leadership Network.
Mike is the author or co-author of five books on ministry leadership. His newest book is The Art of Leading Change: Ten Perspectives on the Messiness of Ministry.
Previous books are:
- Thriving in the Second Chair
- In Pursuit of Great and Godly Leadership
- Leading from The Second Chair
- Leading Congregational Change
Mike and his wife Bonnie have been married for over 35 years and have three sons, one daughter, two daughters-in-law, and two grandchildren.
My Commitment
“Why can’t churches, ministries, and non-profit organizations have access to the same kind of high-quality consulting as corporations?” It’s a question that struck a deep chord for me.
My commitment is for every client to receive the same dedication and excellence that I provided in my work with corporate clients at McKinsey & Company*.
My Commitment in Seven Phrases
One of the greatest values that a consultant should bring is an independent, outside perspective. By offering honest assessments, supported by hard data and extensive experience, I help organizations recognize their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.
An effective consultant comes with an open mind and open ears, not a predetermined answer. By listening closely to what is said and not said, I am able to develop significant insights into your organization’s particular context and needs.
The end goal of every consultation is an organization that is clear about its direction and that is working together effectively. The only way to achieve this goal is for the consultant, staff, and volunteer leaders to collaborate closely, so that the final result has the full support of those who will be working to make it happen.
No one should hire a consultant to maintain the status quo. I bring a broad base of knowledge and an ability to think “outside the box” to every consultation, and I use this to help clients explore fresh ways to accomplish their mission.
Your church, ministry, or non-profit is unique. That is why each consultation is customized to your specific needs. This is reflected in the way I work with each client and in the results.
Far too many ministries develop a vision or a strategic plan but see little fruit from their efforts. The problem, in many cases, is the lack of a practical implementation plan. I assist clients in the development of specific plans with an eye toward the crucial point where “the rubber meets the road.”
Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” My consultations will always be Christ-centered as the client team prayerfully considers how God is speaking to them and as we seek God’s direction.