Things I’m Learning Through the Move

Transitions can be both exciting and challenging, especially when it comes to moving from one ministry to another. It can be an emotional time as you say goodbye to the people and work that you have been invested in, and prepare to move on to new challenges and opportunities. I understand both aspects of this firsthand, having begun a new ministry on January 1^st of this year.

On November 20^th I published the announcement that I’d resigned from my ministry position. That evening, the pastor of our former church made the same announcement to the congregation at the conclusion of the evening worship service. I knew then a series of events had been set in motion that would sort of take on a life of their own until the transition was complete sometime—Lord willing—Q1 2023. When God makes changes in our family, they have always seemed to be larger-than-life kinds of events, and yet through each, we were confident we were in God’s perfect will for our lives and this transition is no different.

That said, this is the only time I have transitioned from serving one local church to another. We have bought and sold houses before, moved ourselves, and worked with movers, etc. so that part is not new. This is different! I don’t have my own experience to draw from apart from observing the way friends in ministry have handled their own transitions. I did have some things I expected and there are more things I anticipate learning along the way. Here are a few things that have risen to the surface over the last 100 days or so.

Be Forward-Looking

I think one of the keys to a successful transition is to be forward-looking. It is important to focus on the new ministry and the opportunities that it presents, rather than dwelling on the past. This means being intentional about setting new goals and developing a plan for how to achieve them. It also means being open to new ideas and approaches, and being willing to adapt to the unique challenges and opportunities that come with the new role.

Be Positive

Another important aspect of a successful transition is being positive which can be a bit more difficult than one may think at first. Small things like deciding on which grocery store to use and larger things like finding new healthcare providers can be stressful. The point: change can be unsettling, but it is important to maintain a positive attitude throughout the transition process. This means being optimistic about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead, and being confident in God’s call to this new place of service. It also means being supportive of my former ministry, and being grateful for the relationships and experiences that I had there.

Be Available

Finally, it is important to be available to your former ministry during the transition. For me, this has meant staying in touch with the people and work that I was involved in (largely finance-related), and being willing to offer support and guidance as needed while people there become acquainted with and take over my former responsibilities. It has also meant being respectful of the relationships (i.e. leadership) and work that I was a part of, and helping to assist as much OR as little as requested.

Without a doubt, transitioning from one ministry to another can be both exciting and challenging. These few things—being forward-looking, positive, and available to my former ministry—have helped me most of the transition and given me peace of mind as I’ve ramped up for success in my new role. I hope others find this helpful too!