Effective Transition to a New Appointment

Moving is one of the most difficult things itinerate pastors do, and in many cases such transitions are accomplished by simply “going through the motions.” As an itinerate pastor, I realize now that early in my ministry, I took moving to a new appointment in stride without processing the impact that such a significant change had upon me and my family. Mid-way through my career I began to understand just what a stressful experience moving really was and still is!  Moving is more than packing up books and belongings and transporting them to a new church and house. An effective transition involves an intentional plan that begins with saying appropriate “goodbyes” in order to bring successful closure to the former appointment, and learning to say “hellos” to begin a new chapter of ministry successfully. It includes getting off to a good start and making a good first impression. Alban Institute consultant, Roy White, has noted, “What you do the first six months of your appointment will largely determine the final outcome.”  

For an effective transition, the stresses and anxieties surrounding it must be acknowledged and addressed. It is important that pastors take care of themselves and tend to family needs especially during this time. It is also important to be sensitive to the losses that are occurring with all involved in making adjustments to a new church, home, and community. Talking about feelings among family members helps in this time of adjustment.

Getting to know church leaders, contacting/visiting parishioners who have pastoral needs, and meeting with the Pastor/Staff Parish Relations committee and other major leadership groups are among first priorities. Analyzing the church’s history and recent data of the church’s vital signs are helpful in diagnosing the church’s current state. Members also often need time to process grief at the loss of their former pastor. Pastors should practice good listening skills especially during the initial months of a new appointment.

It is helpful to have a P/SPRC meeting within the first several weeks after moving. At this “get acquainted meeting,” the pastor should review and interpret the church’s ministry priorities. Use key words like Worship/Preaching, Teaching, Pastoral Care, Mission/Outreach, Evangelism, and Administration. Have P/SPRC members prioritize ministries based on their understanding of the church’s needs. Pastors should also share personal priorities based on skills and gifts for ministry. That usually leads to creative discussion (as the priorities are often different) and compromise. (The list should be reviewed in six months and adjusted as necessary.) This model has proven effective in beginning pastoral appointments and helps the pastor focus on the perceived needs of the church. Many pastors encounter difficulties when they impose their own agenda and ministry plan (that may have worked in a previous appointment) upon a new congregation and fail to discern the reality of their new challenges and opportunities.

While meeting leadership, members, and data gathering are crucial, a pastor must do more than that in the first year. This is not a time for coasting or waiting. Many pastors opt to maintain the status quo. Leadership will rightly expect more. Both leaders and members will look for leadership from the pastor. The pastor will often need to initiate working with the lay leadership to discern a clearer vision of a preferred future and develop a ministry plan that addresses that unique vision.  

A primary role of a pastor today is often that of being a “change agent.” It is a suggested rule that a pastor initiate no major changes the first year of an appointment. However, this rule may not apply when immediate change is required to have a “turn around” experience. Effectively initiating change requires education and good communication, and is more readily accepted when explained as being biblically based and theologically sound. In such cases, leadership should be open and willing to work cooperatively with the pastor in bringing about changes necessary for the church to have a vital future.

What happens in the initial months of a new appointment should build a foundation to move the church forward and enable a more preferred future to God’s glory. Effective transition results from a cooperative undertaking between laity and clergy as partners in ministry. The question for pastors becomes, “How can my ‘call’ find expression in this church through using my gifts to address identified needs?”  For leadership and members, the question is, “What more is God expecting of this church to be faithful as the body of Christ?” As pastors and laity clarify roles, expectations, and responsibilities, and answer questions together, they can achieve effective ministry to the glory of God.