MY CORE CONVICTION
The Apostle Paul wasn’t kidding when he said, “Now YOU are the Body of Christ” (1 Co 12:27). My steely resolve is to energetically apply my gifts to build the Church... the way God intended.
The Body of Christ is intended to be a living, dynamic movement, not a monument; a revolution, not an institution; a people, not a place; a refuge for the world, not from the world; a change catalyst, not a change cadaver. In other words, it is supposed to be... different from what most people experience today.
In our disconnected postmodern world—a world of unprecedented spiritual receptivity where people have rejected the Church but not Christ—we have a unique opportunity to represent the exquisite power and hope of Christ through synergized, connected, incarnational ministry and partnerships that more accurately reflect God’s very nature.
I’m a grateful trophy of God’s grace. I’m also a full-out addict to His guidance. Because of that, I’m devoting my life to leading, feeding, and nurturing a team of leaders in the pursuit of re-architecting the Body of Christ to be the revolutionary, redemptive, life-changing and world- transforming force it was intended to be.
It’s this God-given dream of a truly biblical community that causes sleepless nights and a holy discontent... one I’m confident God will fulfill in our lifetime. And we haven’t a moment to lose.
PUBLICATIONS
“Carpe Mañana: How Strong Leadership Can Seize the Future Today” in Leadership Advance Online (Jan 2005)
“What’s In(novative) with Preaching? Revolutionary Innovations in Proclaiming Truth” in Leadership Advance Online (May 2005)
“Dancing & Dust: Five Values of Effective Succession Planning” in Leadership Advance Online (Winter 2006)
RESEARCH + PEDAGOGICAL
Homiletics Teaching Assistant to Dr. Timothy Warren, DTS Pastoral Ministries
Th.M. Thesis—A Strategic Plan for Planting a Church in Virginia Beach, VA
DSL Dissertation—Ministry Implications of the Modern to Postmodern Worldview Transition
GLOBAL EXPERIENCE
Israel-Palestine & Jordan
Israel & Jordan Biblical Study Program (2001) Israel Bible Extension Institute, Jerusalem.
Middle East Conflict Peacemaking Team (Sept 2012 and June 2014) with WCCC leaders, elders, & staff with The Telos Group.
San Salvador, El Salvador (Sept 2015)
Leadership development of pastors as well as family-oriented evangelism training.
Yei, Sudan & Nairobi, Kenya (Sept 2005)
Leadership development of pastors as well as evangelism training and church planting.
Brussels, Belgium (Apr 2004)
Church Planting Scouting Team coordinating partnerships with existing churches, ministries, and leaders in planting The Well.
Cameroon, West Africa (May 2000)
Church Planting Team member, Speaker at Regional Pastors’ Leadership Conference, and Preacher at Yaoundé Outreach Crusade.
SPIRITUAL GIFTING
Preaching/Teaching
Leadership
Faith
ASSESSMENT INDICATORS
MBTI: ENTJ
DISC: High D with a secondary High I
Enneagram: 8 with a 7 Wing
StrengthsFinder 2.0:
Futuristic, Input, Relator, Learner, Belief
Love Languages:
Quality Time and Words of Affirmation
LOMINGER TOP COMPETENCIES
Learning Agility, Action Oriented, Command Skills, Conflict Management, Intellectual Horsepower, Managerial Courage, Motivating Others, Presentation Skills, Drive for Results, Self-Development, Strategic Agility, Building Effective Teams, Managing Vision & Purpose
WORKING GENIUS
Galvanizing
I’m highly competent at and deeply enjoy rallying and inspiring people to take action around a critical task or shared vision.
Invention
I’m highly competent at and deeply enjoy creating original and novel ideas and solutions to tough challenges.
THE CHURCH //
MY UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE
Ecclesiology matters. Great churches COME and GO—literally. They are attractional and incarnational. They gather and scatter. Most often that's because great leaders hear Jesus’ profound proclamation of "As the Father sent Me, so I send you" (Jn 20:21) and realize that Jesus' incarnational model (Jn 1:14) is nothing short of our incarnational mandate (1 Co 12:27). They recognize and respond to the purposeful dance as seen in Acts to "Come & See" and "Go & Be." Not learning and leading from this framework is, frankly, why the Church in the Northern and Western Hemispheres is generally in sharp decline, but the Church in the Southern and Eastern Hemispheres is experiencing dramatic growth. When the model of the church becomes excessively institutional, mechanical, hierarchical and inward-focused, its impact withers, and its legacy fades. Such churches become morgues with steeples on top. But when leaders ensure the proper balance or, better yet, the proper harmony between coming and going, they ensure the relentless perpetuation of God's grand, real, robust, life-giving, redemptive movement—the Body of Christ. This is my heart’s desire.
FORMAL EDUCATION
HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL
Program for Leadership Development (AKA “Rapid-Fire MBA”) (2019)
Leading Product Innovation (2017)
Launching New Ventures (2016)
Competitive Decision-Making (2015)
Strategic Negotiations (2014)
Crisis Management Alumni Program (2020)
HBS Alumnus as of Feb 2019
REGENT UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GLOBAL LEADERSHIP & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Doctor of Strategic Leadership
Summa Cum Laude (2005)
Award for Leadership Excellence (2006)
Final Project: “The Church in Emerging Culture.” A seminar series equipping leaders of established, multigenerational local churches to navigate the worldview transition from modernity to post-modernity by analyzing what organizational structures, ministry strategies, and leadership styles are needed in such a whitewater culture of rapid change.
DALLAS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Masters of Theology
Magna Cum Laude (2001)
Emphasis: Pastoral Leadership & Expository Preaching
J. Ellwood Evans Award for Pastoral Leadership
H.A. Ironside Award for Expository Preaching
POST-GRADUATE
Transformational Leadership Coaching (2007-2008) An intensive year-long certification program training executive leaders to coach others toward their highest potential and optimal performance.
UNDERGRADUATE
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Bachelor’s of Arts (1993)
Major: English; Pre-Law
Minor: Philosophy
President, Loyola University Chicago Pre-Law Association (1991)
BELONG, GROW, SERVE
Pathway to Spiritual Growth // Whether a brand-spanking new believer or one that has been abiding in Christ for years, I believe every Christ-follower’s growth trajectory is dictated by his or her commitment — in God’s strength — to continually take steps to Belong in community, Grow in Christ, and Serve in His Cause. Whatever terms are used in various church contexts, these are the three major moves of spiritual formation.
NEOSPARKS CONSULTING
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT (Jan 2020 to Present)
Innovation in a time of crisis is a lot like a river… As the river swiftly flows, it suddenly encounters an enormous boulder directly in its path. What does the river do? Stop? Give up its forward progress? No way. It continues around it, carves out a new route, or cuts right through it. The idea is it never stops. It finds a way. It relentlessly moves forward. The river of innovation just keeps flowing.
Similarly, when a bold church, team, or leader hits an unforeseen obstacle of a key challenge or crisis, that doesn’t stop them—they find the wisest way to move around it or through it, even if it means carving a totally new path. The chaotic flood from the crisis in no way dampens their internal fire or hinders their sparks of curiosity. They never stop. They find a way. They relentlessly move forward.
I started NeoSparks Consulting to serve church and nonprofit leaders and teams. Consistent with my holy burden to help the Church achieve the zenith of its redemptive potential, I have a longing to inspire Kingdom leaders to strategically pivot in our new Kingdom reality with incarnational and innovational leadership that carves relentlessly deep and lasting impact.
For more detail, see neosparksconsulting.com.
NEOSPARKS BLOG
We need a new conversation. I created NeoSparks Blog to be a different kind of blog on innovation. It’s intended to throw off conversational sparks that will lead to something new, deeper, richer, and more impactful for the One who deserves our best thinking and strongest strategies to impact the world around us with His transforming love and hope. It’s a safe space that allows our core problems to collide with our freshest thoughts. It’s a place to light the fuse of urgency around Kingdom innovation and to fan the flames under the status quo of church-as-usual. It’s a virtual treasure chest of new ideas that will help us to shape a theology of innovation that we can then execute on with relentless momentum to the glory of God and for the good of all. To start throwing your own sparks, check out neosparksconsulting.com/blog/.
NEOSPARKS
CONSULTING
MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
FOUNDATIONS CHURCH
LEAD PASTOR (Aug 2021 to June 2022)
To begin Phase 2 of a “bridge transition” succession process (where the former Senior Pastor remained as Founding Pastor), I was affirmed as the new Lead Pastor by unanimous elder vote as well as a 95% membership vote. I was called into this role with the mandate to help this young multisite church reorient and realign toward a discipleship focus. My primary responsibilities included setting overall strategy and direction, 80% of the weekend teaching load, conflict resolution, culture architecture, maximizing staff health and engagement, donor discipleship, and restructuring the church’s processes and ministries toward deeper spiritual formation—seeking to find a harmony between its purely attractional DNA and a more balanced attractional-incarnational ministry model.
During my 2 years at Foundations, the church experienced greater overall health, deepening impact, rebounding attendance, and growing generosity—even mid- and post-pandemic. However, despite my best efforts to process the tensions that are typical to the complexities of a bridge transition succession process (especially amidst the new post-pandemic ministry realities and dynamics), we parted ways due to misalignment of strategic direction. I left Foundations with my heart filled with deep love for the staff and congregation and my mind filled with deep learnings to enfold in my next Kingdom adventure.
CHIEF OF STAFF (Aug 2020 to Aug 2021)
This position served as a Phase 1 on-ramp toward a “bridge transition” succession process into the Lead Pastor role. I provided senior strategic and pastoral leadership, coordination, and direction to Foundations Church including its staff team, ministries, and volunteer leaders who shared the commitment to build, experience, and multiply an Acts 2 biblical community in Northern Colorado. This included ministry oversight of all staff and ministry directors, multisite direction, leading the churchwide StratOp processes (to shape overarching ministry strategy), team building and development, culture architecture, change management, COVID-19 crisis response, donor development, and 50% of the weekend teaching load.
WILLOWCREEK COMMUNITY CHURCH
EXECUTIVE TEAM (Dec 2018 to Dec 2019)
Providing point leadership to the whole of Willow Creek through overall strategic and directional decision-making, including rearchitecting the culture and systems following Bill Hybels’ sudden resignation and the ensuing crisis.
WILLOW CRYSTAL LAKE
LEAD PASTOR (June 2008 to Dec 2019)
The lion’s-share of my energies at Willow’s largest and most family-centric regional location went to setting overall strategy and direction, teaching, maximizing staff health and engagement, donor discipleship, and leading WCL’s staff, key volunteers, and core to be a redemptive force for Christ in our community where the home is the epicenter of spiritual formation (Dt 6:5-9). During my tenure, WCL more than doubled in size, requiring us to grow our staff, start new services, plant another church, and, ultimately, oversee the acquisition of a 200,000-square-foot permanent home on a 25-acre property, including point-leading an $18 million campaign and design-build process.
WILLOW HUNTLEY
LAUNCH PASTOR (Sept 2010 to Jan 2012)
Architecting and overseeing the launch of Willow’s 1st grandchild in Huntley, IL included raising funds, locating venue, hiring staff, building core, recruiting volunteer teams, developing donor base, and, ultimately, finding, training and transitioning senior leadership to WH’s new Lead Pastor in Jan, 2012.
CATALYST OF McHENRY COUNTY
LEADERSHIP TEAM (June 2008 to 2014)
Offering leadership to this highly collaborative group of 40-some local churches to manifest the Body of Christ as a unified Bride through coordinated, synergistic relationships and efforts to have a deep and lasting impact in our communities for the sake of Christ.
VIRGINIA BEACH COMMUNITY CHAPEL
LEAD PASTOR (May 2005 to June 2008)
During my tenure in this Global Leadership Network church, in addition to weekly preaching, vision-casting, and mentoring, I channeled my gifting to cultivate an outward-focused but spiritually-rich culture of learning, leadership development, volunteerism, and missional community (Eph 4:11-16; Acts 2:42-47). Providing oversight to the Pastoral Team during an organizational refocusing process toward greater spiritual transformation, we designed and launched Operation NextGen (a leadership development program for potential elders) and Operation Due Diligence (for existing elders), streamlined staff hiring processes, initiated a team-based small groups-driven incarnational outreach ministry called Inside-Out, and strengthened the process and outcome of membership by creating and implementing a Participating Membership Covenant.
VIRGINIA BEACH COMMUNITY CHAPEL
PASTOR OF STRATEGY & DISCIPLESHIP (June 2002 to May 2005)
During my first 3 years of service at VBCC, I led the Elder Leadership Team through values and mission discovery, visioneering, strategic planning via scenario-building, vision casting via team preaching with the Senior Pastor, supervising the Pastoral Staff, elder and staff evaluation, catalyzing organizational revitalization (including staff restructuring), and developing a new team-based small groups ministry.
REGENT UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GLOBAL LEADERSHIP & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Guest Professor (Sept 2006)
Taught an interactive seminar on Creativity, Innovation & Futuring during the DSL Doctoral Residency.
THE RADLER FAMILY FOUNDATION
Board Member + Strategy Director (2004 to 2008)
Working closely with the founders of this non-for-profit board based in Fort Worth, TX, my duties included formulating the Foundation’s values, mission, vision, and strategy, assessing grant proposals from numerous international ministries, connecting God’s resources to God’s people doing God’s work, and seeking to network ministries whose need, resources, and vision intersected.
THE MALPHURS GROUP
East Coast Consultant (2001 to 2005)
As a member of this strategic planning team led by Aubrey Malphurs of DTS, I equipped leaders through seminars and consultation on Leadership Development, Church in Emerging Culture Issues, Team Building, Futuring, Creativity and Innovation, Church Planting, Church Revitalization, Church Growth, Core Values, Mission, Vision, and Strategy.
VIRGINIA CHURCH CONSORTIUM
Consortium Team Leader (2004 to 2005)
Helping to lead the synergistic efforts of 9 sister churches in VA’s Hampton Roads area, my contributions as part of this multi-church leadership team included values discovery, mission and vision development, leadership conference planning, and coordinating partnerships in leadership development, world missions, church planting, and local outreach.
WEST HAMPTON BAPTIST CHURCH
Pastor of Discipleship + Administration (2000 to 2002)
My contributions in this Hampton, VA church involved creating and managing evangelism, discipleship, small groups, young marrieds, guest connection, and a progressive worship service which included service planning and weekly preaching. When the Senior Pastor resigned just a few months after my arrival, I also became the Acting Senior Pastor and was given other responsibilities: pastoral counseling, hospital visitation, strategic planning, and supervision of all practical and pastoral staff.
After the Senior Pastor’s departure, I initiated a conflict resolution process using Peacemaker Ministry methodologies to deal decisively and biblically with division lasting well over 2 decades. While the process was messy and uncomfortable, it worked to restore some unity to the congregation and taught me crucial and invaluable lessons around the importance of reconciliation and unity in the Body of Christ.
NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL (Chicago)
Hospital Chaplain (1995 to 1996)
BAYLOR HOSPITAL (Dallas)
ER + ICU Hospital Chaplain (1999 to 2000)
HOW I RE-ENERGIZE
My “sacred pathway” is Creation, so I most often recharge with my family outdoors--hiking, tennis, running, kayaking, and an annual triathlon or 2 or 3 (I’m currently on #29).
THE BIESCHKE FAMILY
AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE,
WE WILL SERVE THE LORD.
Joshua 24:15
REFERENCES
Chadd Bryant, Elder, Foundations Church. Founder and CEO, Red Rocket Web Specialists. chadd@thinkredrocket.com; 970-674-0079
Steve Carter, former Lead Teaching Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church. Teaching Pastor, Forest City Church. Steve.Carter@forestcitychurch.com; 714-747-5301
Pam Howell, former Communications Pastor, Willow Crystal Lake. Executive Director of Worship Arts & Communication, Christ Church (Chicago). pjhowell83@gmail.com; 224-239-0930
Jeff Manion, Senior Pastor, Ada Bible Church. Jmanion@adabible.org; 616-550-3743
Dr. Brent McKinney, Discipleship Pastor, Foundations Church. Professor, Dallas Theological Seminary. brentmckinney01@gmail.com; 972-322-3675
Scott Mead, former Chairman of Foundations Church’s Elder Leadership Team. Retired CFO for Epic River. scottnmead@gmail.com; 970-420-4376
Dave Meyer, former Leadership Advisory Council Member, Willow Crystal Lake. CEO of CFM Insurance. DaveM@cfmins.com; 847-774-9576
Doug Murphy, former Leadership Advisory Council Member, Willow Crystal Lake. Dean of Operations and Strategic Educational Initiatives for Moody Bible Institute. Doug.Murphy@moody.edu; 312-735-0564
Dr. Jeff Parziale, Volunteer Leader, Foundations Church. Director, InStep Ministries. jeffparziale@gmail.com; 970-775-4836
Gordon Peterson, Congregant and Volunteer Leader, Foundations Church. Retired Pastor. gpeter2430@comcast.net; 970-481-5638
Dave Rider, former Elder, Willow Creek Community Church. Founder and President of Rider Leadership Solutions. dave@riderleadership.com; 224-532-0758
Dr. Dave Smith, former Executive Pastor, Willow Crystal Lake. Executive Pastor, The Springs Church (FL). Strategic Coach, Intentional Churches. davidkevinsmith@gmail.com; 330-618-8617
Andrew Thomas, Worship Pastor, Foundations Church. andrewthomasmusic@gmail.com; 847-309-4251
Jim Tomberlin, Founder and CEO, Multisite Solutions. Multisite Specialist, The Unstuck Group. jim@theunstuckgroup.com; 480-735-4213
Tara Vandersande, former HR Assistant Director, Willow Creek Community Church. Talent and Engagement Consultant, Best Christian Workplaces Institute. taravandersande@gmail.com; 847-567-8272
Kurt Von Eschen, former Worship Pastor, Willow Crystal Lake. Experience Pastor, The Church at BattleCreek Church. kurtvoneschen@gmail.com; 815-322-3220
Dr. Craig Williford, former President, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Former President, Denver Seminary. Former President, Multnomah Bible College. President, The Williford Connection. gcraigwilliford@gmail.com; 847-975-6910
Dr. Timothy Warren, Founder & President, Preaching Camp. Former Senior Professor of Pastoral Ministries and Expository Preaching, Dallas Theological Seminary. tbwarren@gmail.com; 972-475-8456
LEADERSHIP STYLE
I function most effectively within a relationally-rich, spiritual gifts- and team-based approach to ministry in a church culture that is more interested in strategic momentum than status quo maintenance. Helping Spirit-empowered people work together in Christ-centered community to achieve a world-transforming, God-given, shared vision electrifies me.
PREACHING PHILOSOPHY
The goal of my preaching/teaching is not to simply transfer information but to inspire transformation through clear, creative, and compelling exposition and application of God’s Truth to everyday life. Life-changing preaching will always be Text-Centered (authoritative) and Audience-Focused (relevant).
STRATEGY METHOD
StratOp//a strategy system that emphasizes perspective to help leaders first understand where we are and how we got here to best shape future plans on the sharpest insights.
PERSONAL CORE VALUES
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Family
-
Impact
-
Incarnational Ministry
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Movement
-
Learning
LEADERSHIP STYLE
I function most effectively within a relationally-rich, spiritual gifts- and team-based approach to ministry in a church culture that is more interested in strategic momentum than status quo maintenance. Helping Spirit-empowered people work together in Christ-centered community to achieve a world-transforming, God-given, shared vision electrifies me.
PREACHING PHILOSOPHY
The goal of my preaching/teaching is not to simply transfer information but to inspire transformation through clear, creative, and compelling exposition and application of God’s Truth to everyday life. Life-changing preaching will always be Text-Centered (authoritative) and Audience-Focused (relevant).
STRATEGY METHOD
StratOp//a strategy system that emphasizes perspective to help leaders first understand where we are and how we got here to best shape future plans on the sharpest insights.
PERSONAL CORE VALUES
-
Family
-
Impact
-
Incarnational Ministry
-
Movement
-
Learning
MESSAGES
LEADERSHIP STYLE
I function most effectively within a relationally-rich, spiritual gifts- and team-based approach to ministry in a church culture that is more interested in strategic momentum than status quo maintenance. Helping Spirit-empowered people work together in Christ-centered community to achieve a world-transforming, God-given, shared vision electrifies me.
PREACHING PHILOSOPHY
The goal of my preaching/teaching is not to simply transfer information but to inspire transformation through clear, creative, and compelling exposition and application of God’s Truth to everyday life. Life-changing preaching will always be Text-Centered (authoritative) and Audience-Focused (relevant).
STRATEGY METHOD
StratOp//a strategy system that emphasizes perspective to help leaders first understand where we are and how we got here to best shape future plans on the sharpest insights.
PERSONAL CORE VALUES
-
Family
-
Impact
-
Incarnational Ministry
-
Movement
-
Learning
MARCUS BIESCHKE
David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillfulness of hands he led them.
Psalm 78:72