Hello, I'm Michael
I thank God daily for the privilege of helping, equipping, challenging and mobilizing pastors as they seek to take action to lead and build healthy, growing disciple‑making churches.
It's a wonderful joy to see pastors take on the challenges of their ministry (to keep the main thing the main thing), grow as leaders and be increasingly fruitful. It is deeply encouraging and inspiring.
My role is to help pastors think 'critically' and 'constructively' about themselves and their ministry fruitfulness. I relish the challenge of exploring with them ways that they and their church can be more effective in making disciples in ever-increasing number–– for God's glory and growth of his kingdom.
My Story. A Unique Perspective.
My mission is to help mobilize pastors be 'wise leaders' equipped to make the godly changes needed to lead well –– personally and in ministry, and be fruitful as makers of disciple-makers.
Yes, I've led large ministries, congregations in large churches, led a church plant, and a church revitalization. So as a disciple-maker, I've discipled people across the whole spectrum of life challenges and gospel commitment. From people who were highly committed to less committed to non-committal. People who were highly opinionated, disagreeable, and undermining of the ministry effort, and those who were focused more on career, finances, sport, family and lifestyle.
My Grief: A Pivotal Moment Leading to Co-founding Oilstone
Twelve years ago, I saw too many pastors struggling to lead their teams, their churches, (and quite frankly, themselves) in the mission of making disciples. They were weighed down by organizational challenges and people problems. These situations often resulting in terrible hurt, deep conflict, burn-out, break downs and broken relationships — making the gospel unattractive, and dishonouring God. Had many pastors just 'lost the plot'?
God used this grief to inspire me to co-found Oilstone in Australia with Rev Dr Peter Moore.
God made it apparent to us that if we equip pastors to lead well and build healthy disciple-making churches, that would not only help struggling pastors, but all pastors.
Two years later in 2014, Oilstone launched it's first program — Oilstone Equipping for Ministry Leaders.
So today, to that end, my ministry is to be frank, transparent and practical in challenging, inspiring, equipping and encouraging pastors to do what it takes to lead others for the sake of the gospel to the glory of God.
My Unique Perspective: A View From The Pew
A 'view from the pew'. Pastors have nominated this as my most unique and valuable attribute. They find the equipping to be practical in a way most have not before experienced.
This comes from my unusual background, which bridges the Christian leader and secular leader divide. For 30 years of my life as a Christian leader, my 'day job' was working as a leader in large companies, then consulting to and developing leaders in companies large and small.
My Epiphany
Many years ago, when working as a corporate leader, I was once asked where I acquired my leadership skills. As I reflected on that, I realized that my leadership skills (so highly valued in the secular world) were actually my disciple-making skills learned and forged, under God, in church!
My Other Ministries (to round out the picture)
Right now, I serve as a founding board member of Reach Australia for Christ (our mission is to double the number of Christians in Australia by 2035, by equipping the churches). And, on the teaching faculty at the Lachlan Macquarie Institute (equipping young Christian leaders for careers in politics and commerce).
I am part of the body of Christ at a medium sized church in Sydney, Australia.
I have served as CEO of Katoomba Christian Conventions and later served on its board, and on the board of the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (at university, I was a member of the Evangelical Union and Campus Crusade for Christ).
What Pastors Say
Dan A.
"Michael brings a depth of experience in organisational leadership in business and church spheres but its his unfeigned commitment to seeing churches led effectively—for the health of the people of God and the glory of Christ—that is most compelling about his teaching.
Michael is not afraid to confront and name the poor state of leadership in many of our churches but he does this with optimism and a passion for helping us change."
Cameron M.
"Appreciated Michael’s honesty and vulnerability plus exhortation to not leave out the last 10%. Clear, relevant, challenging and is something I’m convicted and convinced I need to implement…
The breadth of tools presented was invaluable.
The challenge is to think really intentionally about [the] many aspects of ministry leadership."
Graham S.
"It was clear to me that Michael cares deeply about the gospel and the reputation of Christ first and foremost – which was good news for me and the ministry I lead. Regularly meeting with Michael I didn’t feel like I had a coach... he made me feel like I had a friend who was in my corner.
He took time to understand what was big in my life and ministry, and then helped me to use some of the tools Oilstone had introduced me to, to move forward. And then he’d always check in next time as to how that was all going.
As a teacher and presenter, Michael engages personally as he presents. He owns it in real life, not just in the abstract.
I would characterise him as a gospel ministry leadership ninja. 😊
(Seriously, by the time you get to black belt you really know how to use your skills for the best, and not to harm. Michael is at least 10th Dan black belt.)
He has a gift of asking the penetrating question, but from a place of vulnerability.
I would absolutely recommend Oilstone to my peers/fellow pastors. My only reservation would be: don’t do it if you’re scared of becoming more self-aware, and more effective in your ministry."
Rhett H.
"The oilstone program is great in sharpening you up as an effective leader, even if you have thought about Christian leadership for years.
It’s as a coach that Michael comes into his own with his insightful questions. Michael is a rare mix of understanding ministry complexities and high level management challenges. His years of experience in both the corporate & church worlds are clearly evident.
Add to all this, his love of Jesus and the church and spending time with Michael is a great blessing."
Steve D.
"I really enjoyed Mike’s presenting style. Tone, body language, thought‑provoking. Good Q+A responses. Tools were a highlight. Helped us how to think.
You gave us no room to simply theorise!"
Roger H.
“Michael's history and experience in secular and Christian leadership was a great encouragement, challenge and inspiration to grow in my own leadership––Brilliant!”
Mike W.
"Michael really knows his stuff!
Stimulating, important, practical.
Super helpful tools and motivation.
Excellent. Evidently gifted and knowledgeable. Emotion!
Really great! Highly recommended! Thank you! ”
Alex J.
"Thank you Michael, for your gospel passion, wisdom and engagement! Thanks for so generously sharing your experience in both secular work and ministry.
This has inspired me to grow for the sake of the gospel.”
Scott S.
"I was coached by Michael for 2-3 years during a period of organisational growth. He is personable, professional and generous. Michael was concerned not only with my personal growth as a leader but in my spiritual growth as a follower of Jesus. He shared much of himself which enabled me to reflect on myself better as an extroverted thinker.
Michael is seasoned facilitator who brings out the best in a group. He was able to shape different experiences (as in various contexts and numbers of years of pastoral experience on the ground) to provide learning outcomes for each person."
Contact
Check me out in my short video:
"One things that will make all the difference when it comes to building a disciple‑making culture".