Helping a Church Transition

This Sunday I will be speaking at a church whose leaders have asked me to help them make a transition from a pastor who is retiring after 10 years at the church to their next pastor. So, how will I help them?

First, this church needs to understand how to grieve the loss of a beloved and faithful long-term pastor. People in the church will respond in different ways, but there will be a sense of loss. Along with this emotion may come several possible reactions including a sense of loss of hope, feelings of abandonment, an unhealthy focus on the past, denial, depression, anxiety and even anger. In the end, there will be acceptance and a desire to move on and look to the future with full appreciation for what the former pastor added to their life and contributed to their growth. The keys to this are listening with compassion and understanding, and praying with and for hurting members. There may be opportunity to teach on transition involving a pastor and building hope for the future.

Second, both positive and negative issues that may exist in the church after the former pastor has left need to be dealt with. Sometimes there may be unresolved conflict between members or between members and the former pastor or previous pastors. The working relationship between the pastor and the church leadership often needs to be strengthened if possible and improving communication is a must. The leadership needs help in identifying top issues that need some work and then in working with them to address the issues.

Third, churches in transition often need help in evaluating church structures and ministries. But evaluation is not the end of the work. In times of transition, there is great opportunity to help the church leadership make changes, streamline and simplify. Both paid and volunteered staff can also be evaluated and recommendations for future staffing made. The church leadership needs help in saying no, yes and not yet to everything. Sacred cows can be fed and watered, or if necessary barbequed.

Fourth, the church leadership can often us some help and leadership in evaluating and improving the health of the church and its ministries. Leadership or coaching a church health team to accomplish this is often very helpful.

Fifth, the right time for the church to initiate a search for a new pastor needs to be discerned. Once that happens, the search committee or team can benefit much from coaching and consulting as it walks through a process which may take several months to complete.

My job is to help this church transition and prepare for its next senior pastor and then pass the baton of pastoral leadership to the new pastor so that there is unity, joy and excitement over the future in accomplishing God’s unique mission and vision for the church and its community.

“Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1a) Please pray for Marty and me as I add this ministry to my growing labors of coaching, equipping and training in God’s Kingdom.