A Time of Transition
Is your church in a time of Transition? When we use the term “Transition” we mean the following:
- The time between the departure of the former Lead Pastor and the arrival a new one
- A decision to address this time intentionally – times of transition are windows of opportunity for churches to experience spiritual renewal, increased health, focused vision and mission prior to engaging in the pastoral search
- Accessing the guidance and resources of trained Transitional Ministry Specialists to help the church effectively navigate through the season of Transition
- A process distinct from that of engaging an interim pastor to fill some ministry roles while the search for a new Lead Pastor carries on
The decision to engage in an intentional season of Transition is made by the board of elders and they choose to engage either a transitional coach or a transitional pastor.
Transitional Objectives
- To hire a new Lead Pastor through a thoughtful, collaborative search process in dependence on the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
- To welcome a new Lead Pastor to a healthy church that has experienced renewal – spiritually, relationally, organizationally and operationally.
Stages of Transition
Most churches usually work through a similar process during a time of Transition. However the details and amount of time and energy required to address each phase will vary from church to church.
- Regaining Stability
- Assessment of Church Health
- Developing a Transitional Plan
- Preparing for the Pastoral Search
- Conducting the Pastoral Search
- Hiring a Lead Pastor
- Evaluation of the process