Upcoming Workshops

OCT
20-22
2023
Strategic Planning
Koinonia
Highland Lake, NY
TBD

2023
Board Leadership Development
Camp Mount Luther
Mifflinburg, PA
AUG
25-26
2023
Council Leadership Development
Milton Lutheran Church
Milton, PA
JUN
9-11
2023
Board Leadership Development and Visioning
Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry
St. Louis County, MN
JAN
6-7
2023
Board Leadership Development
Camp Hope
Blairstown, NJ
OCT
24-25
2022
Board Leadership Development
Caroline Furnace
Ft. Valley, VA
SEP
26-27
2022
Board Leadership Development
Camp Hope and Moravian Eastern District
Blairstown, NJ
AUG
5-6
2022
Master Site Planning
Caroline Furnace
Ft. Valley, VA
JAN
14-15
2022
Executive Leadership Transition
Lutherdale, WI
NOV
11-12
2021
Board Leadership Development
Lutherhill Ministries
La Grange, TX
OCT
15-16
2021
Board Leadership Development
Mount Luther, PA
SEP
24-25
2021
Board Leadership Development
Lutherdale, WI
SEP
17-19
2021
Strategic Vision and Plan
Koinonia, New York
JUL
16-17
2021
Executive Leadership Transition
Ewalu, IA
JUN
24
2021
Board President Training
Lutherhill Ministries
La Grange, TX
JAN
8-9
2021
Strategic Planning
Virtual Planning Retreat
Cross Roads, NJ
JAN
FEB
2021
Virtual Board Leadership Development
Koinonia, NY
JAN
24-25
2020
Board Leadership Development
Agape+Kure Beach Ministries
Kure Beach, NC
JAN
17-18
2020
Strategic Planning
Grace Lutheran Church
Hendersonville, NC
JAN
10-11
2020
Board Governance Workshop
Crossroads
Crossroads, NJ
JAN
4
2020
Strategic Planning
USC Campus Ministry
Columbia, SC
NOV
22-23
2019
Board Leadership Development
EWALU
Strawberry Point, IA
NOV
10-14
2019
Board Governance Workshop
The Great Gathering
Lake Junaluska, NC
OCT
25-26
2019
Strategic Planning
Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry
Cook, MN
SEP
7
2019
Board Leadership Development
Shetek
Slayton, MN
AUG
2-3
2019
Campus Ministry Board Development
Lutheran Campus Ministry
Columbia, SC
APR
26-27
2019
Board Leadership Development
Luther Crest
Alexandria, MN
MAR
22-23
2019
Board Leadership Development
Green Lake Lutheran Ministries
Spicer, MN
JAN
11-12
2019
Board Leadership Development
SC Lutheran Retreat Centers
Leesville-Batesburg, SC
NOV
16-17
2018
Board Leadership Development
Mt. Cross Lutheran Ministries
Felton, CA
OCT
26-27
2018
Board Leadership Development
Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry
Grand Rapids, MN
OCT
12-13
2018
Board Leadership Development
Camp Tomah Shinga
Junction City, KS
AUG
24-25
2018
Strategic Planning
Shades Valley Lutheran Church
Birmingham, AL
JUL
20
2018
Executive Leadership Transition
Lutherans Outdoors
Sioux Falls, SD
JAN
24-27
2018
Board Leadership Development
Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp
MT
JAN
13-14
2017
Board Leadership Development
Agape+Kure Beach Ministries
NC

Board Leadership Videos

Keith Johnson developed seven training videos for Lutheran Outdoor Ministries to help grow the effectiveness, capacity, and capability of board. Click the button below for more information and to view the videos on the LOM website.

View Videos

A Personal Word from Keith

God enriched my life beyond measure through my 43 years of service with Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. After my “retirement” on December 31, 2017, I began a period of prayerful discernment to determine how I might continue to use my gifts, experience and abilities to serve Christ and support the work of our church and ministries.

Together with my discernment was my conviction that there is no more important challenge for outdoor ministries and the church in today’s increasingly complex and rapidly changing world than to train and empower outstanding leaders. Equally important to training executive directors and staff, is the challenge to train and equip boards. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has further shown the vital importance of capable and committed boards to support staff and ministries.

I launched “The Board Coach,” a spiritually based consulting initiative to train and develop camp boards, campus ministries and congregation councils to thrive in the future. Since that time, it has been a joy for me to work with leaders across the country. It has been gratifying to see boards grow in their capacity and capability and to strengthen their relationship with executives.

Keith Johnson, Board Coach

Available Services

Board Leadership Development

Just as camp boards, congregation councils and campus ministry boards invest in education to enhance the effectiveness of staff and pastors, it is equally important for camps, campus ministries and congregations to invest in board and council leadership training and development. Keith has the experience to challenge individuals in their personal commitment and financial stewardship. His expertise helps boards strengthen their partnership and overall effectiveness. Click on each workshop listed below for details and rates...

Strategic Planning

Camps, campus ministries and congregation councils can greatly benefit from developing a strategic vision and formalized road map (strategic plan) to guide them into the future. To accomplish this Keith has developed a fourfold planning process that can be accomplished in just four to five days of his time.

  1. Step One – SWOTT – Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats and trends. Keith will guide a small group to compile this information that will serve as a foundation for the planning retreat.
  2. Step Two – Strategic Vision - Strategic vision and 2-3 strategic goals can be developed in an overnight retreat.
  3. Step Three – Strategic Plan - Develop objectives and action steps and identify champions to guide the process and key performance indicators to measure success accomplished at a workday four to six weeks after the planning retreat.
  4. Step Four – Follow-up with Keith after 3 months, 6 months, and one year to keep your board on track in implementing the strategic vision and plan.

Executive Leadership Transitions

Many boards experience concern and fear when faced with the departure of their executive director. Their first instinct is to fill the position as soon as possible but acting hastily can create more problems than it solves. Keith will provide the tools needed to manage the leadership transition by helping the board identify which of three courses of action would be best for them: 1) Hire an interim director for a period of 12-18 months and provide time before calling a new executive; 2) Hire a transition director to address key issues and problems that need attention before calling a new executive; or 3) Move immediately to call a new executive director.

Mutual Support & Accountability

The relationship between board and executive is vitally important. The ministry is best positioned for success when there is a strong partnership and shared vision for the future. There is a paradox that the executive serves as leader, but the board retains final responsibility. Keith will help your board address four keys to improving or maintaining a dynamic relationship: 1) Trust and mutual respect; 2) Clear roles and responsibilities; 3) Good communication; and 4) Creating a culture of mutual responsibility that includes goal setting and annual evaluation for both the board and executive.

Training New Board Presidents & Officers

Next to the executive director, the board president is the most important position for your camp, campus ministry or congregation. Keith has developed a two-hour workshop to train and equip the board president and build a strong partnership with the Executive Director. His recommendation is that President serve two or more years and the Vice-President serves as president-elect. The Secretary should serve as policy manager for the board and as a member of the Governance Committee.

Developing A Governance Committee

The purpose of a Governance Committee (or an individual designated to fulfill this responsibility) is to focus on growth of the board’s effectiveness so the board itself can focus on the strategic vision and future of the ministry. Keith has developed a three-hour workshop to train the committee in fulfilling four responsibilities: 1) How to recruit exceptional candidates to serve on the board; 2) How to train new board members and provide continuing education for members; 3) How to develop a process for board and individual member evaluation; and 4) How to manage board policies.

Workshop Image Gallery

Shades Valley Lutheran Church, Birmingham, AL, Congregation Council Shades Valley Lutheran Church, Birmingham, AL, Congregation Council Shades Valley Lutheran Church, Birmingham, AL, Congregation Council South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Centers Board of Directors South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Centers Board of Directors

Why Consider Keith Johnson as "Your Board Coach?"

Experience

Keith excelled at developing dynamic and top-notch boards for both small and large camps. Since launching “The Board Coach in 2018, he has consulted with camps, campus ministries and congregation councils all across the country. Following is a listing of national workshops he has conducted over the years.

  • 2010 | Three-day Board Governance Workshop for executives and board members at Green Lake Lutheran Camp, Minnesota. Taught in partnership with Mark Burkhardt, ELCA churchwide
  • 2012 | Three-day Board Governance Workshop for executives and board members at LOM Executive Leadership Conference, Bethel Horizons, Wisconsin. Taught with two LLMI board members
  • 2015 | Two one-hour Board Governance Workshops at LOM National Conference, Lutheridge, North Carolina and Board Governance 101 at LOM’s Leadership Training Event
  • 2019 | Two one-hour Governance Workshops at the Great Gathering (ecumenical conference) that included ELCA, PC-USA, United Methodist and Episcopal outdoor ministry leaders.
  • 2019 | Over 20 workshops/consultations around the country since the Board Coach was launched.
  • 2018 | Board Leadership Development Workshop at LOM National Conference, New Braunfels, Texas.

Show Past Workshops Download Resume

Geographic Diversity

Financial Development

Keith was successful in raising over $35 million in his 43 years of service with Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. He is experienced with annual fund giving, special gift efforts, capital campaigns and planned giving. Keith will help you create a culture of generous giving by board and staff that permeates the entire ministry. If desired, he can also help the board to develop a specific fund-raising goal and strategy for the upcoming year.

Approach

Keith uses a partnership approach that focuses on strengthening the relationship between the board and executive, so that both feel empowered and valued as leaders. The process used in decision making is particularly important so that both board and staff are comfortable and have ownership of decisions; with a mutual commitment to accomplishing the goals. Rather than only lead a one-time workshop, Keith recommends a “check in process” after three months, six months and one year to help your board follow through with any plans.

Resources

Bibliography and Resources

The Board Coach is a LOM Ministry Partner

Keith joins Don Johnson, Executive Director of Luther Outdoor Ministries (LOM), on the LOM podcast to share a little history and some insight into building Successful Outdoor Ministry Boards. Listen in below: