5 Common Mistakes Churches Make During Pastoral Transition
by Dr. Rich Brown
National Director of Pastor and Regional Relationships, Interim Pastor Ministries
It’s tempting for a church to rush their pastoral transition. Transitions are uncomfortable. But transitions also present a powerful opportunity for the church to refocus, and find renewed energy for what’s next.
Instead, churches often waste this opportunity to embrace an interim pastor and slow down the process of finding their next permanent pastor. Here are five common mistakes Interim Pastor Ministries (IPM) has seen churches make when they rush the pastoral transition.
1. The church forms a search committee too early.
When a pastor leaves, the congregation needs time to grieve and let go of its spiritual, relational, and emotional ties to that pastor. The season between pastors is a unique time for house cleaning and to discern God’s future for the church—then begin a pastoral search.
2. The church falls to recognize and address church health Issues.
In their eagerness to move forward, many churches ignore existing challenges and congregational needs. Instead of tending to these issues, churches drag themselves into a new relationship with the next pastor. Unresolved issues cause frustration, paralysis, and, in all likelihood, a short tenure for the new pastor.
A church should use the time between pastors to address issues as they prepare the church for its future.
3. The church doesn’t clarify Its values or discover Its vision.
Before it begins a pastoral search, the church must clarify its core values, discern its God-given vision, and start living into it.
If a church and a pastoral candidate have similar values and vision, there is a good chance they will work together in harmony.
4. The Pastoral Search Team recommends the wrong pastor.
To compensate for the prior pastor’s weaknesses, churches often call a new pastor opposite the preceding pastor. They swing the pendulum too far, and their new pastor doesn’t fit the church’s culture, needs, values, and vision.
The new pastor arrives and finds out the majority are happy with the way things are. The new pastor feels misled, and the congregation is angry with the changes that the pastor spearheaded. A year into their ministry at that church, the new pastor is frustrated and has lost favor. They resign.
5. The church doesn’t hire a skilled and trained Intentional Interim pastor.
There is an excellent benefit in hiring an interim pastor who is a seasoned pastor. Mature, experienced, wise and proven, skilled and trained, they can address transitional issues, including relational, leadership, staff and other organizational challenges. The interim pastor is also strategic. They follow a tried-and-true process to prepare the church for its future, helping a church clarify its values and vision so it can successfully call a pastor that fits its congregation.1
The bottom line: Be deliberate during the interim so that the church will be better prepared for the next season of ministry.
Your first resource when your church is facing a pastoral transition is Vinia.
To learn more about how Interim Pastor Ministries can help a church during its pastoral transition or help a pastor extend his call past his “prime years”:
- Visit IPM’s website: www.interimpastorminisitries.com
- Or Contact Dr. Rich Brown, National Director of Pastor and Regional Relationships at [email protected]
