Phila Consulting is a diverse team of practitioners motivated to advance the Kingdom of God. We have significant experience in starting new churches, helping churches transform, consulting, building start-ups, and running large businesses. The way forward for each faith community is unique, so we will expand our core team as needed for your situation.

The Phila Consulting Team

DAN CARLTON, Pastor, Culpeper Baptist Church

Dan currently pastors Culpeper Baptist Church, Culpeper, VA. During his tenure, the church has started an adult day care center, Generations Central, and the Child Development Center has grown rapidly.

  • Former Pastor of two churches:
    Spring Hill Baptist Church, Ruckersville, VA, transforming that church into a multi-state church with 6 worship services in 4 locations and increasing attendance from 75 to over 500.
    Downtown Baptist Church, Alexandria, VA, developing partnerships with Friends of Guest House, Together We Bake, OAR, Arts on the Horizon, and Empowered Women International.

  • Focuses on developing churches that connect with their surrounding community while maintaining traditional values and relevant ministries.

  • Serves as a Trustee of Lifespire of Virginia and Averett University.

BRIAN CLARK, Founding Pastor, Riverside Presbyterian Church

Brian currently pastors Riverside Presbyterian Church in Sterling, VA, a church he started over 20 years ago. His church includes an innovative coffee ship that provides outreach and connection to the community.

  • Former Pastor of Sligo Presbyterian Church. Brian led that congregation through a 13-year transformation.

  • Active participant for over 15 years in Presbyterian Church, PA(USA), new church development at the national level and is a frequent conference speaker and teacher on the subject.

  • Helped establish the Presbyterian New Church Coaches program.

  • Prolific writer in the field of new church development, co-authoring the following resources:
    Starting New Worshiping Communities: A Process of Discernment; Recipes for New Worshiping Communities; and Coaches Booklet

SHANNON KISER, Director of Training, Fresh Expressions

Shannon serves as Director of Training and Coaching for Fresh Expressions in North America, leading a team of mission strategies and trainers to equip churches and leaders in starting new expressions of church.

  • Works with Tod Bolsinger and the Fuller Church Leadership Institute to co-lead multiple Adaptive Church Leadership Cohorts, equipping church teams to build adaptive capacity in a changing world.

  • Serves as a Pastor with Riverside Presbyterian Church in Sterling, VA.

  • Is an ICF certified coach. Shannon coaches individual ministry leaders and pioneers, tries others to coach fresh expression initiatives and adaptive change, and coaches church teams working on adaptive change..

  • Lives in Springfield, VA, with her husband Patrick. They have two young adult daughters, Catherine and Suzanne.

GARY MEARS, Pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church

Gary currently pastors Christ Presbyterian Church in Fairfax, VA. Ministry is a second career for Gary, who previously worked as an executive in the business world.

  • Former Lead Missionary working to establish a new worshiping community at Faith Chapel Community Church, Lucketts, VA.

  • Accomplished business executive with over 20 years of experience in management consulting, specializing in change management to improve organizational effectiveness and operational efficiency.

  • Served as Executive Director, and prior to that Treasurer, of the Lancaster County Council of Churches (now called the Lancaster Food Hub), a nonprofit organization that “feeds the hungry, clothes the needy, and lends its voice to benefit the marginalized of our culture.”