Counsel of Many

“In an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14

You don’t have to oversee your church alone.

Counsel of Many is a private, anonymous community where elders from churches across Christian traditions help one another oversee the affairs of their congregations.

Enroll your elders: $20/month per church See how it works
  • Anonymous by design
  • Elders from many traditions
  • $20/month per church

The weight elders carry

Christ’s body was designed to be connected.

A member under discipline. A divided staff. A pastor who is struggling. A budget that won’t balance. Elders carry real responsibility for the life of their church, and much of it can’t be discussed outside the elder meeting. Too often, the people who need counsel most have the fewest places to find it.

  • A member under discipline
  • A divided staff
  • A pastor who is struggling
  • A budget that won’t balance

One flock, one body

Called to your flock. Useful to the whole body.

God has called you to shepherd a particular congregation, and that calling comes first. But the wisdom you gain there was never meant to stay locked in one room. Here, elders strengthen their own churches and help build up others across the body of Christ.

What Counsel of Many is

A gathering place for elders who want to serve well.

Ask anything, anonymously.

Bring the situations you face, without revealing who you are or where you serve.

Hear from many elders.

Experienced elders respond, and members vote so the most helpful counsel rises.

Share what you’ve learned.

Your experience can help another church through what yours has already faced.

Find trusted resources.

A library of books and tools for elders, rated and discussed by members.

Getting started

How it works

  1. Your church enrolls.

    $20 a month covers every elder on your team.

  2. Your elders are invited.

    Your church provides its elder list, and each elder receives a private invitation.

  3. Ask, answer, and grow.

    Elders join under anonymous usernames and begin seeking and sharing counsel.

Our commitment

Anonymous. Not optionally. Always.

No member may identify themselves, their church, or anyone involved in a situation. Usernames are anonymous, profiles are hidden, and private messages are turned off. Moderators remove anything that could identify a person or congregation.

  • Anonymous usernames

    No names, photos, or profiles.

  • No private messages

    No side channels to identify anyone.

  • Moderated content

    Identifying details are removed.

  • Email only

    Your church provides only your email address.

Your name and email are known only to the community administrator and are used solely to manage membership. They are never sold, and are shared only when the law requires it.

Read the Anonymity Covenant

Why we built this

A note from the founder

15 years as an elder has taught me how much we need each other. I’m so thankful for the privilege of serving with amazing, godly men.

And yet, all too often we’ve encountered situations where we felt far outside our equipping. The Lord uses those times to draw us to Him. When we need wisdom, we’re taught to ask. And, He is faithful to speak, through His scriptures, to us directly and through others.

The goal of Counsel of Many is to hear God’s wisdom from a broader collection of elders who are willing to share what they feel it may be for our situation. Through prayer, the Lord highlights the elements of that counsel that will serve us well. Our mission is to strengthen Christ’s body by connecting it.

Joe, founder of Counsel of Many

Joe Founder, Counsel of Many

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:14 (ESV)

For churches

A simple way to support your elders.

Churches ask much of their elders and often have little to offer them in return. Counsel of Many gives your whole elder team a trusted place to seek counsel, for less than the cost of a single book each month.

$20 per month, per church

Less than a dollar a day for your whole elder team.

  • Every elder on your team included
  • Cancel anytime
  • No ads. Member information is never sold, and is shared only when the law requires it.
Enroll your church

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Our common ground

United by the Apostles’ Creed.

Counsel of Many welcomes elders from any church that affirms the historic Christian faith as summarized in the Apostles’ Creed. We hold different convictions on many secondary matters, and that is welcome. This is not a place to debate them. It is a place to help one another care for Christ’s church.

Read the Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Can’t find your answer? Send us your question.

Is it really anonymous?

Yes. Members cannot see who you are or where you serve, and identifying anyone is not allowed. Only the administrator knows your email, for membership purposes. It is never sold, and is shared only when the law requires it.

What do you know about me?

We only receive your email address as provided by your church. We do not receive your name or other identifying information.

Who can join?

Elders whose church affirms the Apostles’ Creed. Churches enroll, and the church provides its elder list.

Will people argue theology?

No. Debating doctrine is outside our purpose and is moderated. We focus on overseeing the affairs of the church.

Is this professional advice?

No. It is counsel from fellow elders. For legal, financial, or clinical matters, consult a qualified professional.

What if a situation involves abuse?

Anonymity here never replaces your legal or moral duty to report. Report suspected abuse to the authorities as the law and your church’s policies require, before seeking counsel here.

Read our full Duty to Report statement

What information do you collect?

Only your elders’ email addresses, provided by your church. No names are required.

Why does it cost money?

Fees cover hosting, moderation, and keeping the community free of ads and outside influence.

Can individual elders join without their church?

Not at this time. Churches enroll their elder teams together.

Give your elders a place to seek counsel.

Enroll your church Read the Member Covenant