Journey in the Wilderness: New Life for Mainline Churches

Gil Rendle serves as Senior Consultant with The Institute for Clergy and Congregational Excellence of The Texas Methodist Foundation in Austin, Texas, and as an independent consultant working with issues of change and leadership in denominations. Prior to this position he served the Alban Institute as an author, seminar leader, and senior consultant for twelve years. An ordained United Methodist minister, Rendle served as senior pastor of two urban congregations in Pennsylvania for sixteen years and as a denominational consultant for The United Methodist Church for nine years.

Rendle has an extensive background in organizational development, group and systems theory, and leadership development. He has consulted with congregations on planning, staff and leadership development, and issues of change. He is well known for his work with middle judicatory and national denominational offices and staff as they wrestle with denominational and congregational change.

In training workshops and conferences, Rendle has led numerous large and small groups in practical learning that directly impactsparticipants decisions and practice in their leadership roles. He is the author of six books, a contributor to four books, and the author of numerous articles and monographs. His most recent book is Journey in the Wilderness:New Life for Mainline Churches (Abingdon Press, 2010). Gil is a resident of Pennsylvania where he lives with his wife, Lynne.