Congregations in Transition
From saying farewell to a pastor to beginning strong with a new one, the Office of the Bishop accompanies you through the time of transition.
Transitional Ministry
The transitional period is a pivotal' time between,' a period for reflection and planning, bridging what was and what will be between pastors in the congregation, between saying 'goodbye' and saying 'hello,' between one chapter in a congregation’s history and the next. It's a time of uncertainty and hope, especially given the significant changes in the world and the church since the last pastoral transition.
Transition is a time to assess vitality and sustainability, test and shape new behaviors, and engage in deep listening and prayer.
Some of the tasks to be completed concern the ministry relationship that is coming to a close as your pastor leaves or retires. Here are some resources for completing the ministry relationship.
- Call Status Change Form
- Pastoral ethics in times of leaving
- Sample Exit Interview for Pastor who is leaving
- Sample Exit Liturgy for Pastor who is leaving
- Congregation Financial Obligation Form
The Office of the Bishop will meet with leaders and assist you in securing transitional leadership. A Bishop's Associate will then lead the coordination of the work of Transitional Pastors. Your transitional pastor will be attentive to your situation and encourage you to move forward. A Bishop's Associate will ensure you examine sustainability and vitality issues so that you can make sound decisions as you plan for the future. Suppose a congregation has the financial capacity for full-time compensation (generally a minimum of $80K to $90K in salary and benefits). In that case, the Transitional Manual for Councils will be your guide. Suppose your congregations need more financial capacity for full-time compensation. In that case, the Office of the Bishop and your transitional pastoral leader will work with you to find cooperative partners in your area.
