John Spurling
John Spurling
I am a seasoned senior leadership pastor, professor, university president, and consultant who desires to serve a dynamic church where I can contribute to the church’s ongoing impact and growth. I am a passionate leader who thrives on communicating for life change, equipping believers, connecting with non-believers, developing dynamic leaders, building strong team collaboration, and finding innovative solutions to complex challenges.
STRENGTHFINDER PROFILE
Learner Achiever Strategic Relator Belief
EXPERIENCE
2020 - Present
TRANSFORM U LEADERSHIP SERVICES
Porter Ranch, CA / Farmers Branch, TX
FOUNDER / CEO
I founded TransformU as a multi-faceted consulting, executive coaching, and resourcing company designed to walk alongside senior leaders in church settings. Utilizing 30 years of ministry experience, TransformU Leadership Services provides proven strategic planning and organizational development success to guide pastors and churches through critical growth challenges. With expertise in developing innovative equipping/discipleship ministries, teaching and preaching skills, visionary planning, problem-solving, and leadership development, TransformU provides important support for church leaders.
2018 - 2020
SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
Lakeland, FL
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR &
PROFESSOR OF LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION
Until June of 2020, I served as the Executive Director for Strategic Leadership & Innovation at Southeastern University. My position functioned within the Graduate, Unrestricted Education department. During my time at SEU one of the programs I developed was a new Regional Executive Master’s degree in Ministry Leadership. These executive level cohorts launched in several locations around the country and, with over 80 new graduate students, within two years it doubled the ministerial leadership enrollment .
2005 - 2017
GATEWAY CHURCH
Southlake, TX
ASSOCIATE SENIOR PASTOR
As an Associate Senior Pastor, I served on the Senior Leadership Team and developed all of the spiritual formation/discipleship, new believer, volunteer leadership, and membership resources for the church. And I was involved in all significant decisions related to church operations, expansion, staff leadership development, organizational transformation, biblical (Equip) training, and budgetary decisions. Gateway Church is a dynamic, multi-campus church led by Robert Morris, founding senior pastor. Since its inception on Easter Sunday, 2000, Gateway has grown to be one of the largest churches in North America with multiple campuses across the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. During my time on staff the church grew from 1,800 to 32,500 in weekend attendance, with more than 48,000 active members and a yearly budget of $142 million dollars.
2014 - 2017
THE KING'S UNIVERSITY
Southlake, TX
PRESIDENT
PROFESSOR OF PASTORAL LEADERSHIP
As chief executive officer, I worked with the Board of Trustees to confirm the strategic vision for the university, communicate the vision to all internal and external constituencies, and secured needed resources to accomplish all strategic goals. As the administrative leader of the university, I exercised general authority over, and supervised the operations of, all departments, members of the faculty, administrative officers, other employees and student body. I also provided extensive monthly and semi-annual reports to the Board of Trustees on all operations, academic development, student-centered engagement and pertinent matters consistent with the mission, vision and direction of the university.
2012 - 2014
THE KING'S UNIVERSITY
Southlake, TX
PROVOST / CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
PROFESSOR OF PASTORAL LEADERSHIP
As both Provost and COO, I was responsible for all day-to-day administrative decision-making for the university. I exercised authority over all staffing, financial, academic, and facility decisions on nine campuses nationally and one international campus (Hong Kong). I was also responsible for consistent reporting to the non-resident President and Board of Trustees. As chief academic officer I was responsible for all matters pertaining to proper academic accreditation reporting, student success, and the overall quality of the educational experience.
EDUCATION
1989 - 1994
FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Pasadena, California
Doctor of Ministry Degree
Pastoral & Organizational Leadership
1986 - 1987
AG THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Springfield, Missouri
Masters of Divinity Degree
Graduated with Academic Honors
1985
VANGUARD UNIVERSITY
Costa Mesa, California
Masters Program
Spiritual Leadership
1981 - 1984
EVANGEL UNIVERSITY
Springfield, Missouri
B.A. in Biblical Studies
Graduated Magna Cum Laude
TEACHING AND PREACHING
SKILLS
EQUIPPING / DISCIPLESHIP
TEACHER / PREACHER
COLLABORATOR / TEAM BUILDER
MENTORING / COACHING
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
COMMUNICATION /CONNECTING
INNOVATOR / CREATIVE
PROBLEM - SOLVING
SELECTED LIST OF COURSES TAUGHT
Undergraduate
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Theological Foundations for Ministry: I, II, III
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Life of Jesus: His World and Words
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Teaching to Transform Lives (on ground and online)
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Spirit-Empowered Leadership
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Building Team Ministry
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Pastoral Ministry
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The Blessed Church
Graduate
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Strategic Missional Leadership (on ground and online)
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Spiritual Formation of the Minister
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Homiletics: Methods of Biblical Preaching/Teaching
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Contemporary Practical Theology
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Renewing the Established Church
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Equipping People for Life (on ground and online)
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Life of Jesus in Historical Context
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Effective Leadership
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Contemporary Preaching
Doctoral
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Leading Christian Organizations
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Strategic Leadership
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Renewing the Spiritual Leader
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Managing Conflict Effectively
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Vision-Centered Leadership and Management
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Multi-Generational Ministry
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Leading Through Stages of Growth (on ground and online)
SELECTED PUBLISHED RESOURCES
Summer 2020
IN TRUST MAGAZINE
"Beyond COVID-19: Relaunch and Reconnect"
Restarting your school in the new normal requires a “stagile” mindset
2014 - 2017
TREE OF LIFE BIBLE TRANSLATION / Theological Editor
I served as a Theological Editor for the TREE OF LIFE Bible Translation. This dynamic project involved providing one of the only translations that captures our Hebrew roots and the beauty of the Hebrew language in a modern English translation.
Tree of Life Bible Society "Tree of Life" Bible Translation Theological Editing Team
January 2015
“Resolution or Restitution”
Gateway Life Magazine
Fall 2014
“Why Christian Higher Education Matters:
The Battle for the Soul of this Generation"
Charisma’s Best Magazine
Fall 2011
“Empowering Team Leaders in the Smaller Church”
Enrichment Magazine
January 25, 2011
“Generosity is a Heart Issue”
Ministry Today Magazine
.
Selected Published Teaching Resources
“Feed Yourself: Jesus, His World and Words”
Create Publishing, Southlake, Texas
“The Crimson Cord"
Create Publishing, Southlake, Texas
“The Bible in One Word”
Create Publishing, Southlake, Texas
“The Journey: Gateway Adventure”
Create Publishing, Southlake, Texas
“Leadership Skills for Team Ministry”
Leadership Development Resources, GPH, Springfield, MO
“We Build People: Making Disciples”
Leadership Development Resources. GPH, Springfield, MO
