Helping faith communities
move from fear to freedom
with clarity and kindness
Guiding churches toward inclusive, courageous,
love-centered faith
At Kris Sauter Consulting, we partner with leaders and communities ready to embrace transformation.
We help churches move beyond restrictive denominational frameworks toward inclusive, life-giving faith. Through honest conversation, guided exploration, and a lot of heart, we create spaces where courage grows and belonging becomes real.
Moving with Curiosity : Meaningful first steps toward inclusive transformation
Exploring what it means to be fully inclusive doesn’t have to happen overnight. Here are ways to start the journey—at your own pace and comfort level.
Leadership
Conversations
Invite me to speak with your board, staff, or community to spark dialogue, vision, and curiosity.
These sessions create a safe space to ask real questions and explore what inclusion could look like in your context.
Small Group
Study
Engage your leaders or members in guided discussions that unpack what you love about your faith and why it matters. These studies help participants connect theology with lived experience and imagine a faith that truly includes everyone.
Group
Coaching
Through facilitated coaching, your leadership team will uncover your church’s core values and identify where clarity and courage can take root.
It’s an intentional process that nurtures direction, unity, and growth.
Weekend
Retreats
Bring together pastors, leadership teams, or partner churches for a focused retreat.
Retreats are designed to deepen connection, renew purpose, and build shared vision for an affirming future.
Faith evolves
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So should we
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Faith evolves * So should we *
At Kris Sauter Consulting, we believe that growth in faith requires both courage and compassion. Many church leaders feel the tension between what they’ve been taught and what they now know to be true about love, justice, and belonging. We’re here to walk with you through that tension, helping you find clarity, build confidence, and lead your community with authenticity. This work is not about leaving faith behind; it’s about reclaiming it in its fullest, most inclusive form.
Transformation doesn’t start with answers; it starts with honest questions. Every community’s journey toward inclusion is different. That’s why our work begins with curiosity and care, not pressure or pre-set outcomes. Whether you’re just beginning to explore queer-affirming theology or ready to lead change, we meet you where you are with empathy, humor, and clarity. We believe clarity & kindness are not weakness, they are the foundation for transformation.
Hi, I’m Kris
I help churches and nonprofits get unstuck and move toward something more honest and alive. After twenty years in non-profit leadership, I started Kris Sauter Consulting to guide communities through the hard but holy work of change.
We name values, chase dreams, and dismantle the stories that hold you back, so you can build new ones that actually reflect who you are and who you’re becoming.
FAQs
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All of the above. Some projects start with a few key leaders; others include the whole community. We’ll decide together what scope makes sense for your goals, capacity, and timeline.
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We start with a conversation. From there, we’ll create a simple plan that might include leadership coaching, staff or board workshops, congregational engagement, or policy review. Everything is custom—no copy-and-paste plans. You’ll always know what we’re doing and why.
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All of them, and I love the diversity that they all bring. Every faith community—whether tied to a denomination or fully independent—carries its own unique story, strengths, and struggles. My role is to help you find the healthiest, most authentic version of that story.
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Yes. When leaders feel stuck, it’s usually a sign that the story they’re telling themselves no longer fits the season they’re in. I help you reframe the story, reconnect to purpose, and find language and practices that move you forward with energy and unity.
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Yes. I help organizations design governance and decision-making systems that actually reflect their values. Think fewer loopholes, more clarity, better accountability, and policies that help—not hinder—your mission.
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Definitely. I design retreats and workshops around your goals—vision, values, team health, or storytelling. These are interactive, creative, and (believe it or not) fun.
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I’ve lived it. I’ve led communities through trauma, transition, growth, and rebuilding. My approach combines strategic clarity with pastoral wisdom, humor, and heart. I don’t drop binders or buzzwords, I help people find language, courage, and a way forward that fits who they are.
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Yes. These are often the most defining moments in a church’s story. I help you design a process that’s transparent, values-based, and kind, so people feel heard even when decisions are hard. My goal isn’t to push an agenda but to help you move with integrity and peace.
