By Rev. Anne McKee
“Keep Praying!” “It will work out!” “Trust the process!”
These phrases repeat when members of a Pastor Nominating Committee look back on their churches’ leadership transitions. As someone who has served as an interim, or transitional minister, I asked members of four churches in the Presbytery of East Tennessee, that had recently been through a search process, to describe their experience of what is often a long, frustrating, and sometimes unwelcome process. When your church is in transition, what keeps you moving ahead, toward a future you can’t yet see?
The best-known transition story in the Bible is the Exodus. The Hebrew people came to Egypt as economic migrants, experienced prosperity and struggle, and ultimately were enslaved when an unfriendly leader took over. After years of struggle, God called Moses to lead them into a new land, which, rumor had it, flowed with milk and honey. It took a while to get started, but then suddenly and dramatically, they left their familiar lives behind. Yet, the promised land was still far off. Geographically, Canaan was just around the corner. But it would take them forty years to get there, a whole generation before they crossed the river. And even then, it would take years of further transition before they were at home in their new spot.
Yet, looking back, God’s people realized that those experiences in the wilderness were crucial to their faith. It was hard and long, but the Spirit taught, fed, and led them each step of the way.
The Exodus story can offer us encouragement through the transitional journey.
Phase 1: What just happened? And where are we going? The churches I talked to lost their ministers in different ways – suddenly, or with a lot of planning. For some, it was traumatic, shocking; for others, it was long-planned. Two of the churches hadn’t searched for a new pastor for over 25 years; for many of their members, it was hard to even imagine different leadership. Other ministers left after a short tenure; “Didn’t we just do this?” they wondered. Regardless of circumstance, the first impulse of many is, “Let’s just find someone!” It’s a hard realization that it will be a while before it feels like you’re moving anywhere. If you look up a map of Israel’s wilderness journey, you’ll see they walked in circles. Early in the transition, churches can feel frustration of wanting to “get on with it,” or feel overwhelmed by the call process, with what feels like hoops to jump through. You can understand why the book of Numbers is filled with “grumbling” stories, where people wonder if all the trouble is worth it.
Phase 2: Let’s get organized! In the exodus story, the people began to make progress when they found a leadership structure and rules to live by. They divided into groups, and they designated leaders to help Moses. Maybe they didn’t speed toward their destination, but at least they knew who to complain to! In the same way, the churches I talked to all felt frustrated until the Pastor Nominating Committee was elected, which often doesn’t happen for months after a minister departs. Sometimes a church has trauma or financial difficulties to deal with before they can move forward. Or it takes all a church’s energy to maintain the current ministries, and it’s hard to look ahead. Some churches do a mission and vision study and then elect a PNC to search for a pastor. Others want to get going but don’t get the help they need in understanding the process. Making a plan and electing leaders for the process boosts a congregation’s mood. One church suggested that even though the process itself is slow, getting together to study the process and to do Bible Study together will help prepare the way for the next steps. Others noted that having a strong interim leader or a reliable and knowledgeable guide from the presbytery can help calm the waters and set a path. Another church commented that having a clear timeline of the steps and desired outcome helped them feel energized. They knew that delays may come, but knowing what steps needed to be completed, and having deadlines, gave shape to the journey.
Phase 3: Are we there yet? Time is always an issue. One church in my sample waited four years before finding their pastor. That’s not forty, but it felt like that, at times. At one point, they dissolved their PNC and started over because it was time for fresh legs in a long journey. Other churches had about an 18-month gap between leaders, which is far longer than leadership gaps experienced in industry or the non-profit world. Some of this is by design, to help a congregation move well from one stage of its life to the next. The congregations I spoke with all said communication was key. When the PNC keeps the congregation abreast of their progress, everyone calms down. When the presbytery offers steady support, congregations are more hopeful. Also, fortifying the active ministry of the church is crucial in the transitional time. In the wilderness years, God’s people still worshipped, fed one another, and shared life together. They didn’t just wait for the next thing to happen. Churches that come through transition well focus on strengthening their ministries and following Christ. They learn that, as Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is among you,” and not just a future day.
Phase 4: Entering a new land. Finally, the new phase arises. The PNC’s all said the same thing about their eventual candidate: “This is the person God had for us the whole time.” After months of work, they experienced a dawning sense of God’s spirit guiding a candidate and congregation together. They said things like, “We knew right away;” “It was all worth it.” Perhaps that’s what the children of Israel thought when they looked over the Jordan river. And of course, the work doesn’t stop with the “Aha!” moment. A new pastor arrives, and the congregation hasn’t had the same experience as the PNC, of working with and getting to know the candidate. It takes months, maybe a year, before everyone is truly at home together. The transition continues.
That’s what we can say about all phases of life – the transition continues, between one time and another, as companions and leaders come and go, as the needs around us change. And yet, a cloud guides us by day and a fire by night. We may walk in circles, but never outside of God’s guiding hand, if we keep on the path he offers. We live with grateful expectation that the One who was faithful will be faithful still.
Thanks to PNC members from Erin, Fountain City, Lake Hills, and Westminster Presbyterian Churches in the Presbytery of East Tennessee for their insights!