Transitional Pastor Services

Finding a Qualified and Proven Transitional Pastor

Church Health Solutions (CHS) has two decades of experience assisting churches by enlisting, placing, training, providing resources, and oversight of the transitional pastor during the transition time. Our plans are customized to fit the particular situation of the church. The partnership between CHS and the church leadership will enhance the success of the transition time until the next senior pastor is called. For more information on how to secure a transitional pastor,to have a presentation about TP, and to become a Certified TP contact Dr. Don Hicks at dqhicks@gmail.com.

What Is a Transitional Pastor, and Why Your Church Should Secure One

“Our pastor of fifteen years is retiring, and we need help preparing for a new pastor.”

“Our pastor left us under difficult circumstances. We are hurting and need help.”

“We can’t seem to keep a pastor longer than two or three years. We want to find out why and what we can do to keep a pastor longer.”

The stories are similar, but the needs are the same.

The Transition Between Pastors

Churches transitioning from the leadership of one pastor to another often need help. The average time a church spends without a pastor is between 6 and 18 months. So much can happen during that time that could affect the church either positively or negatively. Whenever a church is without a senior pastor, several options exist for filling the leadership role that has been vacated by the former pastor.

A church can choose to let staff members fill the pulpit. However, the preaching ability of the staff may not always be what the church body expects and could lead to loyalty to that staff member causing real problems to the next pastor and usually does.

A church can choose to schedule multiple preachers to fill the pulpit. The positive side is the opportunity to hear several different preachers. On the downside, the congregation isn’t able to develop a relationship with the speaker on an ongoing basis.

Many churches choose to secure an interim pastor. Often it is a local retired pastor. The interim can fill the pulpit and assist the search committee in their process of searching for a new pastor. The skillset, experience, and expertise of the interim pastor will determine if he can lead the church through a necessary and healthy process to prepare for the next pastor.

A Better Option?

A better option for most churches is a transitional pastor. A transitional pastor has been trained to help the church stay focused on its mission and prepare them for the more effective ministry under the leadership of a new pastor.

Some churches without pastors have smooth transitions because of the effective ministry of the former pastor. These churches often need help in dealing with grief resulting from the loss of a helpful and trusted pastor, overcoming the fear that accompanies the uncertainties of change or developing trust in a new pastor who has personality and style different from those of the former pastor.

Other churches have rough transitions because the previous pastor left behind damaged relationships and a lack of trust.

Some churches have crisis transitions because of the circumstances surrounding the previous pastor’s departure. A variety of circumstances can render church leaders spiritually unprepared to guide the church through emotional healing and preparation for a new pastor.

Churches going through the transition between pastors may be well served by the ministry of a transitional pastor who can make the transition a time ­­of new beginnings and life for the church. Many churches without pastors need transitional pastors with experience, training, and ministry gifts that assure high-quality transitional leadership. Transitional pastors are prepared to lead churches through smooth transitions, rough transitions, and crisis transitions. They may serve effectively as a preacher, pastor, peacemaker and consultant.

What is a Transitional Pastor?

A transitional pastor differs from an interim pastor. The role of the interim pastor is often viewed simply as someone who will preach when a church is without a pastor. A transitional pastor does more than “fill the pulpit.”

A transitional pastor differs from an interim pastor. The role of the interim pastor is often viewed simply as someone who will preach when a church is without a pastor. A transitional pastor does more than “fill the pulpit.”

The transitional pastor ministry is a guided process that prepares the congregation to receive a new pastor. The transitional pastor process is a proven path that builds unity, heals hurts, promotes fellowship, and focuses on the mission of the church.

Qualifications of a Transitional Pastor

Can’t just any interim pastor serve as a transitional pastor? No, because transitional pastors have been trained in this process and for the purpose of preparing the church for the ministry of the new pastor. Transitional pastors are to be experienced pastors who are capable in the pulpit and have practical relationship skills. They have the leadership skills to lead the church staff and lay leaders in the direction they should go in order to be ready for the arrival of the new pastor.

In many cases, they are able to deal with problems in the church body, so that when the newly called pastor arrives, he doesn’t have to deal with them. Those problems might include confronting church conflict, making a difficult change, organizing a ministry structure, strengthening the church’s stewardship, and more.

The transitional pastor ministry is a guided process that prepares the congregation to receive a new pastor. The transitional pastor process is a proven path that builds unity, heals hurts, promotes fellowship, and focuses on the mission of the church.

Qualifications of an Interim Transitional Pastor

Can’t Just any interim pastor serve as a transitional pastor? No, because transitional pastors have been trained in this process and for the purpose of preparing the church for the ministry of the new pastor. Transitional pastors are to be experienced pastors who are capable in the pulpit and have practical relationship skills. They have the leadership skills to lead the church staff and lay leaders in the direction they should go in order to be ready for the arrival of the new pastor.

In many cases, they are able to deal with problems in the church body, so that when the newly called pastor arrives, he doesn’t have to deal with them. Those problems might include confronting church conflict, making a difficult change, organizing a ministry structure, strengthening the church’s stewardship, and more.

Outcomes and Objectives of a Transitional Pastor

The transitional pastor facilitates spiritual transformation by leading a process with the following outcomes and objectives in mind.

• The church learns from past experiences, frees itself from hindering traditions, and replaces discord with harmony.
• The church develops more effective church practices.
• The church, if it is experiencing a decline or a growth plateau, gains insights into where they are, how they got there, and how to move forward in faith.
• The church grows in its understanding of pastoral ministry and appreciation of pastors and their families.
• Church members discover and celebrate their spiritual gifts and passions.
• More members become personally involved in the church’s ministries.
• Energy previously spent dealing with conflict issues will be redirected to expanded ministries.
• A longer tenure for the next pastor.
• Increased ministry effectiveness.
• Development of an effective mission statement as a process for disciple-making.
• Enhanced pastor-church relationships, improving the church’s image in the community, and encouraging more people to seek spiritual guidance from the church.Regardless of age, size, or location, churches will benefit from wise counsel and experienced leadership through the stages of transition between the end of one pastor’s ministry and the beginning of another’s. That is the work of a transitional pastor.

Overview of the Transitional Pastor Process

The transitional pastor process will be different in each church. CHS can customize a plan for any church to use to fit the church’s process and needs. Many variables have to be considered, but two major scenarios are described here. Scenario 1 is when the church has already voted on a Pastor Search Committee. In this case, the TP will work with the Pastor Search Committee to set in place the right foundation for the PSC to have all the information they need to start the search process. The TP will train the PSC and then release them to search for a new pastor. The TP will then be a consultant to the PSC, as needed and requested by the PSC. Scenario 2 occurs if a Pastor Search Committee has not been appointed by the church. In this case, a Transitional Focus Team (TFT) should be appointed to work with the TP. The TP and TFT will follow the procedures of the church to put into place a PSC, and the TP will train the PSC and release the PSC to search for the next pastor and serve as a consultant to the PSC, as requested by them. Once there is a standing PSC, the TFT is no longer required.

Compensation and Expectations

CHS will work with the church Leadership to develop a covenant agreement with the church in which the TP will serve, including a schedule of office hours and ministry times for the church. He and the church will agree on a salary that is usually a percentage of the previous pastor’s salary package determined by the amount of time involved leading the church through the time of transition. In the covenant agreement, he will state that he shall not be considered for the position of senior pastor.

By agreeing to a CHS covenant with a clearly defined job description, schedule, salary, time limits, and agreement for non-consideration, he enables the search committee to be able to proceed without worry about someone causing division in their church. He also can provide strategic leadership to the congregation during this time of transition and hopefully gain momentum for the future.

Contact Church Health Solutions

If you require any of the services listed in the Transitional Pastor Service Training area, fill out the contact form on our Contact Us page.