Our NCD Team
Living Stones Associates is a network of independent consultants/coaches guided by a common vision, who work together to help churches become healthier and increase ministry effectiveness.
Eddy Hall, Senior Consultant/Coach
With ministry experience that includes directing an inner city ministry,
youth ministry, extensive writing and editing, denominational staff ministry,
and more than 25 years in small group ministry, Eddy began working with
Ray Bowman in 1986, collaborating with Ray on all his articles and books.
In 1996, Eddy joined the consulting team and now devotes full-time to consulting
with churches.
In addition to coauthoring When Not to Build, Eddy has also coauthored When There's No Burning Bush and other books. His articles have appeared in about 120 periodicals including Leadership, Guideposts, Campus Life, and Focus on the Family Magazine.
Eddy leads the team in carrying on Ray's pioneering work in facility utilization and planning. Drawing on his training (a degree in Christian education) and 30 years of varied ministry leadership experience, Eddy has greatly expanded the services the team offers in strategic ministry planning, enhancing church health, and coaching professional and lay leaders. He lives in Wichita, Kansas, where he is part of the leadership team of Hilltop Urban Church.
Gary Diehl, Consultant/Coach
Assuming various lay leadership responsibilities in his home church over the last thirty years has given Gary
a hands-on perspective of many ministry functions within the church. Gary is a frequent speaker for area churches,
business gatherings, leadership retreats, men's groups, and civic organizations.
Gary's introduction to the practical principles of When Not to Build came when he served as his church's coordinator for a Living Stones Integrated Planning Consultation in 1998. While maintaining his full-time career as a product manager for a metals company, Gary joined the Living Stones team in 2001 and began consulting with churches out of a growing conviction that many churches need comprehensive, biblical counsel to become healthy and effective in our rapidly changing world. Gary now serves as Church Health and Resource Specialist for The Brethren Church in the United States. He also works with the denomination's global partners to help congregations and pastors discover what is and what could be in their life and ministry together. He and his wife Nancy live in Alliance, Ohio, and have four grown children and four energetic grandchildren.
Mike Hare, Ph.D., Consultant/Coach/Conflict Specialist
Mike served in pastoral ministry from 1980 to 2012, leading congregations in New
York, Vermont, Oklahoma, Colorado, and California. He has specialized in guiding
declining and plateaued churches through a turnaround process. He also has served
as a Doctor of Ministry instructor at the Talbot School of Theology as well as
an adjunct faculty member in several universities and colleges teaching Bible,
ethics, and conflict resolution courses. Mike and his wife Colleen live in
Colorado Springs where Mike is serving as a conflict resolution trainer with
an international nonprofit working in 24 countries. Mike earned his Ph.D. in
Conflict Analysis and Resolution with a primary focus in organizational
conflict resolution. He joined the Living Stones team in 2003 to extend his
ministry through assisting congregations as a conflict resolution specialist.
Phil Ludeke, Consultant/Coach/Facility Specialist
Phil Ludeke has spent 20 years practicing architecture and planning and 18 years
as a real estate developer and consultant. He is self-employed and holds a
license to practice real estate in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Phil is a
licensed architect in four states, is certified by the National Council of
Architectural Registration Boards, and is a Certified LEED Accredited
Professional with the United States Green Building Council.
Phil is an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church, USA, and has served in a variety of capacities in his home church. He is a trained Equipper in Stephen Ministry's ChristCare Small Group Ministry. He has also served on long range planning committees, chaired a pastor nominating committee, taught Christian education, leads a small men's group, and served on his church's Church Health Team after a consultation with LSA. He has been working with the Living Stones team since 2004. Phil lives with his wife of 38 years, Becky, in Hopewell, NJ. They have three sons, one of whom is still in high school.
What is Natural Church Development (NCD)?
The NCD Survey: What does it measure?
Interpreting Your NCD scores
The Natural Church Development Cycle: Using NCD in Your church
How to Schedule an NCD Survey
Natural Church Development tools
Our NCD coaches
Submit a question to an NCD Coach
Contact us