© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 An Introduction to Transitional Ministry A Resource for Churches in Transition

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 The Big Idea Seasons 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.

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 A Vision for Churches in Transition To help churches thrive through transition by To help churches thrive through transition by providing leadership, resources and support. providing leadership, resources and support. To hire a Lead Pastor from a posture of health with clarity of vision and mission. To hire a Lead Pastor from a posture of health with clarity of vision and mission.

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 The Ultimate Objective To welcome a new Lead Pastor.... To a healthy church that has experienced renewal - spiritually, relationally, organizationally and operationally. Who has been hired through a thoughtful, collaborative search process in dependence on the Holy Spirits guidance.

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 Major Phases of Transition Major Phases of Transition 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 Ongoing Prayer & Ministry

Not necessarily a step-by-step process Not necessarily a step-by-step process Vision Renewal Structural Renewal Relational Renewal Pastoral Preaching Transitional Leadership Ministry Exit of Previous Pastor Search Entrance of New Pastor Pastoral Admin Pastoral Care Closure Assess

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting Guiding Questions Who were we? Who were we? Who are we now? Who are we now? How do we interface with culture? How do we interface with culture? What is our context? What is our context? What is the Lead Pastors role in Vision? What is the Lead Pastors role in Vision? Who do we hope to become? Who do we hope to become? What kind of leader do we need? What kind of leader do we need?

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 The critical link between Vision and Search. When Visioneering complete – search for a Lead Pastor who resonates with our vision. Engage in a thorough Visioneering Process Brings a Vision to the church Team Member who shares the visioneering journey with us Resume search for a Lead pastor who brings vision Discern the next Lead Pastors role in the Visioneering process Visioneering on hold until Lead Pastor Is found Embraces and implements our Vision Define the broad strokes of Vision Resume search for Lead pastor who joins us in completing Visioneering. Role of Lead Pastor Visioneering Option Impact on Search

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 A Complete Visioneering Process – 8 stages to work through Identity connects Values shape Purposes focuses What kind of church were we/are we? Past and Present What is really important to us? Past and Present Mission compels Context orients Strategy empowers Vision inspires What do we believe God has called all churches to be and do? What is our setting - internal and external environment? Past and Present What are we convinced we are uniquely called to do here and now? What has this been in the past? Who do we hope to become? As we achieve mission, what could it look like? quantitative & qualitative What must it look like? What will effectiveness look like? How will we achieve our mission and vision? What is required? How will we handle setbacks? Audit centers Are we staying on course? What might compel us to change course?

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 A New Paradigm A Health-Based approach A Health-Based approach Transition as a season of growth and renewal Transition as a season of growth and renewal Transition as an opportunity for meaningful change Transition as an opportunity for meaningful change Transitional Leaders trained as specialists Transitional Leaders trained as specialists Engaging in a thoughtful pastoral search from a Engaging in a thoughtful pastoral search from a place of health and clarity place of health and clarity Providing support to avoid Board and staff burn out Providing support to avoid Board and staff burn out

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 The Traditional Interim Paradigm Tended to be a maintenance approach: Tended to be a maintenance approach: Pastoral care and rites of passage Pastoral care and rites of passage Pulpit supply Pulpit supply Some short term administration Some short term administration Usually not involved in governance matters Usually not involved in governance matters Not engaged in the search process Not engaged in the search process Sometimes became a potential candidate Sometimes became a potential candidate

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 The Transitional Paradigm Transitional Pastoral Goals Relevant preaching/communicationRelevant preaching/communication Facilitate congregational care/short-term administrationFacilitate congregational care/short-term administration Provide support for staff, church board and key leadersProvide support for staff, church board and key leaders

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 The Transitional Paradigm Transitional Leadership Goals Healthy closure to the pastHealthy closure to the past Spiritual, Relational, Organizational and Operational renewalSpiritual, Relational, Organizational and Operational renewal Clarity of Vision and MissionClarity of Vision and Mission Thorough preparation for the search processThorough preparation for the search process An effective Lead Pastor search from a posture of healthAn effective Lead Pastor search from a posture of health Helping the new Lead Pastor to start wellHelping the new Lead Pastor to start well

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 Transitional Leadership Models: An Interim Transitional Pastor provides on site pastoral leadershipAn Interim Transitional Pastor provides on site pastoral leadership A Transitional Coach provides guidance and coaching for your leadership team and church staff - effective in combination with an Interim Transitional Pastor.A Transitional Coach provides guidance and coaching for your leadership team and church staff - effective in combination with an Interim Transitional Pastor. In some case one person fills both roles.In some case one person fills both roles.

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 Important Features Transitional leaders help the church have the time, guidance and support needed to address key issues while continuing on in ministry. Transitional leaders help the church have the time, guidance and support needed to address key issues while continuing on in ministry. Transitional Pastor or Coach is not a candidate. Transitional Pastor or Coach is not a candidate. The congregation understands and collaborates with a Transitional approach. The congregation understands and collaborates with a Transitional approach. Role of the Lead Pastor in Vision/Mission is made clear from the outset. Role of the Lead Pastor in Vision/Mission is made clear from the outset.

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 Important Features Search process does not proceed until agreed upon key indicators of health are achieved. Search process does not proceed until agreed upon key indicators of health are achieved. Denominational co-operation encouraged. Denominational co-operation encouraged. Usually a 6-18 month process. Usually a 6-18 month process. Stellar communication with the congregation. Stellar communication with the congregation. Build on areas of health within the church. Build on areas of health within the church.

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 Possible Next Steps Clarify and understand – Q & A Clarify and understand – Q & A Prayerful discernment to explore further Prayerful discernment to explore further Present to membership Present to membership Seek & Engage Transitional Leader(s) Seek & Engage Transitional Leader(s)

© Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry Consulting 2010 The Ultimate Objective To welcome a new Lead Pastor.... To a healthy church that has experienced renewal spiritually, relationally, organizationally. Who has been hired through a thoughtful, collaborative search process in dependence on the Holy Spirits guidance.