Leading a church today requires more strategy and intentionality than ever before.
In order to maximize your impact in today’s context, you need a trusted partner who can provide the resources you need to reach new levels of health and vitality.
Founded in the 1990s, Dr. Aubrey Malphurs created our organization after numerous requests from churches and leaders asking for help applying the principles included in his books. To date, his church leadership books, including Advanced Strategic Planning, have sold over 300,000 copies- serving thousands of churches around the globe.
Since our early days, we have expanded our team and continue to produce a variety of resources all geared toward helping churches and the people who lead them.
Dr. Malphurs continues to champion our vision and author bestselling books that help churches become healthier and more effective.
At The Malphurs Group, we know the stakes for church leaders are high, and the consequences of failure cut deep.
Everything we do is designed to help church leaders like you overcome those obstacles and maximize their impact.
Looking back we are incredibly grateful to have played a part in thousands of churches taking measurable steps to get healthy again, and are excited to include your church in the next chapter of our story.
What Makes Us Different?
We’re a registered nonprofit. Our mission is helping churches like yours, not growing our bottom line.
We offer our services at a subsidized rate because you shouldn’t need a big budget to get help.
The last thing you need is a one-size-fits-all approach that ends in a three-ring binder filled with overwhelming to-do lists you have to then figure out on your own. Your church family needs a strategic plan that takes your context into account and a trusted partner to guide you through the execution process.
Recognized by GuideStar with the Bronze Seal of Transparency, we take our work and your confidence in us seriously. We’re a group of church leaders who understand the church world and exist to help you succeed in yours.
Leadership Team
Dr. Aubrey Malphurs
Founder
Aubrey planted his first church in 1972 and pastored two additional congregations in the Dallas area.
In addition to founding our organization, he also holds the position of senior professor of leadership and pastoral ministry at Dallas Theological Seminary.
With titles focusing on strategic planning, leadership development, and organizational strategy, Dr. Malphurs is an award-winning author of more than 20 books.
His intent focus on serving churches of all shapes and sizes has allowed him the opportunity to serve church leaders both here in the United States and in numerous countries across the globe.
Ron Donnini
Chief Executive Officer & Lead Guide
As a seasoned leader in the marketplace, Ron has a proven track record of empowering teams that leads to organizational growth (in one case increasing a company’s revenue sixfold as they eclipsed $100 million in sales).
He also leveraged his corporate experience to serve in the role of executive pastor where he oversaw staff development, daily operations, and so many more areas that never landed on a job description (as every pastor knows).
He now blends his passion for the local church and business prowess to lead the daily operations here at The Malphurs Group. His leadership has a lasting impact on our team and the church leaders we serve every day.
Ron resides in Arlington, Texas with his wife Shawn where he enjoys golfing and the occasional baseball game.
A.J. Mathieu
President & Lead Guide
His experience as a business owner and civic leader directly impacts the way he serves pastors and churches here at The Malphurs Group. You will also find A.J. pumping out new resources via our podcast and blog articles.
A.J. and his wife Erika have two boys and live near Fort Worth, Texas where he enjoys traveling, doing home improvement projects, and playing golf.
Scott Ball
Director of Services & Lead Guide
Scott resides in East Tennessee with his wife and two kids.
Meet our Board of Directors
Every organization should surround themselves with a team that makes them better. We’re honored to fill that role for churches around the globe and are grateful for the team that does this on our behalf.
Dr. Aubrey Malphurs
Founder
Dallas, TX
Ron Donnini
CEO & Chairman of the Board
Arlington, TX
A.J. Matthieu
President
Joshua, TX
Patrick Butts
Secretary
Arlington, TX
Brian Hopper
Board Member
Baltimore, MD
Paul Patterson
Board Member
Arlington, TX
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you ever help churches implement the concepts you write about and train others to do?
Yes, the team at The Malphurs Group regularly consults with and trains leaders and their teams to implement the concepts presented in our resources.
Do you work with all denominations and groups?
We work with evangelical churches and organizations that agree with the core beliefs of The Malphurs Group. You can download a PDF of our statement of faith here.
When you consult with churches, what do they request most often?
The majority of denominations want seminars and training on change and church revitalization. Churches typically want help with their core values, mission, vision, strategy, and growing a strong leadership pipeline.
Which of Aubrey Malphurs books has sold the most copies?
Advanced Strategic Planning has sold over 300,000 copies. It’s followed closely by Being Leaders and Planting Growing Churches in the 21st Century.
Can I find any of these books in other languages?
Yes! Several of his books have been published in Spanish, Chinese, French, Korean, and Ukrainian/Russian.
Do you accept guest articles for your blog?
Yes, we do! Please reach out to submit your topic.
How is Christianity faring in America?
Christianity is in decline in America. Estimates are that “66 to 75 percent of all congregations founded before 1960 are either plateaued or shrinking”. Thom Rainer writes, “Our recent research on the younger generation, the Bridgers (born 1977 to 1994), indicates that only four percent of the teenagers understand the gospel and have accepted Christ, even if they attend church.” He concludes, “America is clearly becoming less Christian, less evangelized, and less churched.”
What can we do about the decline of Christianity in America?
The Malphurs Group believes that the future of the Christianity lies in planting “Great Commission” churches and revitalizing established churches.