Each summer brings a number of transitions in the Great Plains UMC. Clergy are appointed to new congregations and, likewise, congregations receive new pastors. Moving brings forth many goodbyes for the pastors themselves, their families, and the churches they’ve served. But it also creates opportunities for each to start again. Isaiah 43:19 (CEB) speaks words to all those in transition: “Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it?”
The transitioning process isn’t just up to the pastor. Leaders in churches also contribute to making a smooth transition process for the church and prepare the way for the newly appointed pastor to begin well. All transitions ought to be experienced with much prayer by all involved. They truly can be periods of time where seeds of new life are planted. The first several months of a new appointment often set the whole trajectory of one’s ministry in a new congregation.
The clergy and congregations who will be experiencing a transition of pastoral leadership in the summer of 2025 are invited to join several new opportunities to navigate the change in healthy ways:
Zoom-based training meetings designed by the Offices of Clergy and Congregational Excellence to provide a healthy foundation amid pastoral change.
These Zoom-based workshop are designed for the outgoing pastor to invite 1-2 congregational leaders (SPRC, Administrative Board, Lay Leader, or other key leaders from the congregation) as a conversation partner while together, they identify healthy practices for leadership change. When possible, the outgoing pastor and congregation leader could be present together for the workshop to facilitate conversation. Participants can choose to attend one meeting of the following options that will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. (CST) on March 26, April 8, April 29, and May 14.
Clergy who are moving appointments this year are encouraged to make time for a self-directed retreat, called For Your Life. Those who attend will be invited to craft a “Seasonal Focus Plan,” and will be provided with some resources to cultivate spiritual health amid the transition. To learn more about the retreat, check it out here. Register for the materials here.
Questions? Reach out to Kathy Williams or Nicole Conard
It can be overwhelming to think about the physical tasks of moving yourself and maybe your family, the emotional and spiritual work of saying goodbye, and also prepare well for the new season. When you find yourself overwhelmed ...
… breathe … remember that God is with you … consider where the invitation is to trust in God more deeply … contemplate the faithfulness of God … write a to-do list … go outside and move your body … find something fun to do … pray … rehearse the promises of God.
We’ve compiled or created resources on pastoral transitions for both clergy and for congregations as you prepare to celebrate your current pastor and prepare for the pastor that is coming your way.
The importance of starting well cannot be overstated: the first three months of a pastor’s appointment to a new congregation often set the tone for that pastor’s whole ministry in that church. A crucial aspect of this transition is the relationship between the pastor and the lay leaders of the church.
One way to build this relationship is by creating a Transition Team made up of church members whose purpose is to strengthen the pastoral transition by providing insight, advice and support to the pastor through the first year of ministry in a new congregation. This FAQ sheet can provide some guidance for the formation of a Pastoral Transition Team for your congregation in the months ahead. View a sample quarterly agenda for your first Transition Team meeting.
We have provided a 20-minute video that can be used to introduce the vision of the Transition Team. It can be used at the first meeting or viewed by team members prior to the first meeting.
For questions about best practices related to Transition Teams, contact the Rev. Kathy Williams at [email protected]
