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Urgent Needs Discussion: Transitions

When an adored pastor or leader steps down, how can we smooth the transition for the person who will step into his or her role?
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Elizabeth   (Guest) Posted: October 11, 2007
I agree that being open about the transition is crucial. Some transitions are necessary and are happening for very postive reasons (still needs TLC and just as much time for adjustment), and some are negative, unforeseen, or shrouded in questions. Especially in the area of moral failure, I wish more churches would 1) address the situation with deep love and a willingness to strive toward the pastor's restoration, and 2) be as direct as possible with the congregation to settle the questions of what is (and ISN'T) going on. It can deal a heavy blow to the spiritual openness and growth of a congregation when the removal of a leader is kept secretive and issues are swept under the rug. It IS possible for love and integrity to be preserved in the handling of these things - it requires immediate, specific wisdom from God. Lastly, the new pastor does need to be aware of the grieving process going on and spiritual unsettled-ness... and be willing to be patient and slow in changes.


FreedbyJC   (Guest) Posted: October 11, 2007
JOHN - Actually it is www.imnedu.com... Where to start? How to proceed? What to look for? PRAY, PRAY, PRAY and then ask for PRAYER.


Sherry   (Guest) Posted: October 11, 2007
Our experience began with the death of a beloved senior pastor. Our associate pastor, who was gifted with mercy and compassion, stepped up and became shepard to the whole church. He guided us thru the healing process over the course of several months. During that time we had formed a search team to find a new senior pastor. They did. When our new pastor was ready to begin, our associate pastor who had been leading us, decided to go elsewhere. Again, we had to heal. Our new senior pastor and our worship pastor teamed together to promote healing thru music, worship and the message. Many in our congregation had no idea that was what was happening. But it worked. We are now stronger than ever before. Though we miss our former pastors, we are looking forward now rather than backward. During the whole time, our leadership spent many hours together in prayer for the church. I believe that was the key.


Wayne   (Guest) Posted: October 11, 2007
I think that it is fundamentally important that we be honest, open and transparent regaridng a Pastor's leaving. Attempting to cover-up, move-on, smooth-over the issues surrounding his/her leaving is hypocritical, and unproductive to boot. People will not be fooled, or have the wool pulled over their eyes. Transitions are difficult at the best of times in ministry. One professor taught me that it is the dynamic equivalent to someone dying. Attepting to just move-on after the death of a beloved individuaal disrespects a person's need to grieve, to mourn, and to heal. At the same time however, it is also just as important to not stay in grief too long. A good transition period between pastors (a year possibly), with an Interim, helps a congregation to do this.


Ralph   (Guest) Posted: October 11, 2007
Our Sr Pastor of 15 years took a new call. It was felt that he did not get along well enough w/ marjority of staff. A committee was formed w/ no Staff representation, but w/ heavy board representation. A survey of congregation was more like a 'What do you want in a Sr, Pastor' rather than a survey to understand what the health of the congregation or staff was. A part time staff pastor was made liason to the board, but the Asssociate took the responsibility for worship needs (responsibility given but no authority, which seems to be the ongoing part of the culture in this church). We are going through a transition, and perhaps a different direction than was previously given and there are candidates whom the congregation or staff know nothing about. As a staff person, stuck in the middle between leadership who offers very little information AND the inquisitive congregation members, I have few answers if any at all to feel comfortable about the appraoch that has been taken.

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