Testimonials

During 2006-07, I worked with a leadership group and the full congregation at St Stephen's Uniting Church, East Ringwood, to help them plan their future.

At the end of that process, the minister wrote:

To whom it may concern.

I am the minister of a small congregation in the Uniting Church in Australia. … This congregation needed to explore their options for the immediate future and it was clear to me that … a highly competent facilitator would be required to navigate these treacherous waters.

Shawn Whelan was recommended to me by a colleague who had been involved in one of the few successful church mergers in recent times, and Shawn agreed to be engaged as a facilitator to lead us through a process of discernment over a twelve month period.

From the beginning Shawn revealed a keen awareness of group dynamics and process. He was at all times insightful and acutely respectful of the members of our Task Group and the members of our congregation. In my view Shawn has a unique intellect and displayed an ability to retain enormous breadth of scope while at the same time holding minute detail in creative tension. Time and time again he would hold us to the real issue at hand when we might otherwise have strayed off on an unproductive path.

In a former position as State Manager I have previously been involved in the complete restructure and review of a medium sized human service organisation and in my career, which spans over forty years, I have only once before met such a high level of competence and professionalism.

I can without hesitation recommend Shawn to anyone who is in need of a highly trained, thoroughly competent and outstanding professional facilitator.

Yours faithfully,
Rev. Grahame Pogue

The Chairperson of the congregation sent a similarly warm letter of thanks. This congregation and the Ringwood UC congregation have since engaged me to assist with their joint discussions about the possibility of merging.