Resource Library

By Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
Originally published on the Lewis Center for Church Leadership website.

What challenges are most commonly faced when pastors move from one ministry setting to the next? Lovett H. Weems, Jr., says four key challenges are dealing with family and emotional issues, paving the way for one’s successor, understanding the culture of the new ministry context, and saying goodbye in a way that provides closure.

Everything possible should be done to pave the way for a successful transition in the church from which a pastor leaves and for the continuation of ongoing ministries in the new congregation.

Despite the prevalence of pastoral moves, often little time is spent reflecting on all the issues at stake for many people during such transitions. A few years ago United Methodist district superintendents were asked to reflect on their years of moving to new appointments as well as their experience in observing other pastors make such transitions. They helped identify four key challenges faced in pastoral transitions.
 

The Personal Challenge: Dealing with Family and Emotional Issues

Family adjustment, spouse employment, and issues related to children are paramount. There is a need to find appropriate ways for the pastor, family, and congregation to express their feelings, including the grief that inevitably is present — even when the congregation and/or the pastor are pleased about the move. This transition includes letting go of important relationships. For some, it also includes letting go of past hurts. Just at the time when these emotional strains are so real, there are the pressures of adjusting to a new community, congregation, schools, doctors, and other new colleagues and friends. Without adequate rest, spiritual renewal, and support, these challenges will prove immensely more difficult. With attention to these essentials, a move can become a fulfilling time for all.
 

The Professional Challenge: Enabling a Smooth and Positive Transition

The pastor leaving will set the tone for how the new pastor is received. Differences of personality or theology that distinguish the new pastor from the old should not interfere with the manner in which the departing pastor helps prepare the way for the new pastor. The same is true for dealing with one’s predecessor at the new congregation. Congregations, specifically the staff parish relations committee, can be helped to prepare for a new pastor. A pastor’s feeling of grief in leaving or loneliness in the new setting should not cloud dealings with successor and predecessor. Everything possible should be done to pave the way for a successful transition in the church from which a pastor leaves and for the continuation of ongoing ministries in the new congregation.
 

The Leadership Challenge: Understanding a New Church and Community

Things taken for granted after years of interaction in one church and community must now be relearned in a new setting. Learning to “read” the history, traditions, and culture of a new context is the primary challenge in the first year or so in a new church. This also gives the new congregation a chance to “learn” the new pastor. In both cases, imperfections will be spotted quickly; discovering each other’s strengths will take much longer. Your “job” as pastor may be similar from church to church, but the leadership assignment in a new congregation, in all likelihood, will be very different given the new circumstances. Merely doing what one has always done normally is inadequate when a leader changes from one context to another.
 

The Congregational Challenge: Closure and Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye to the pastor leaving and hello to the new pastor should not be left to chance. This is a time of major transition in the lives of many people. As such, it needs to be handled with care, sensitivity, and sufficient spiritual depth and ritual. Special attention to the needs of children and youth may be particularly significant in some congregations. Lack of proper closure can hamper ministry for a long time. A pastor’s ability to express genuine love for a congregation and, at the same time, make clear the new relationship of former pastor will do a great service to self and congregation. A congregation’s ability to express profound appreciation for the years of service by a pastor and, at the same time, release that pastor for new ministry and welcome their new pastor with open arms will make effective ministry more likely for all involved.

For more information on pastor transitions, visit the Lewis Center for Church Leadership.