Helping ministries navigate difficult conversations and transitions

Transforming what has traditionally been a difficult experience into one marked by grace, compassion, and ultimately growth.

Sometimes letting a leader go is necessary. Doing it poorly doesn’t have to be.

At Pastoral Transitions, we understand that letting go of a pastor can be an emotional and sensitive process for everyone involved. It's a decision made with much prayer and discernment, with the hope of leading the church towards a better future.

However, too often the offramp of this transition feels impersonal and cold, focused on legalities and HR matters, rather than honoring the sacredness of this moment.

We believe this has to change.

“2 out of 5 of pastors are thinking of leaving ministry altogether.”

(David Kinnaman, Barna Group, 2023)

Restoring the church’s original mission statement.

The church was never meant to be divided. Before Jesus ascended to the Father, He gave His followers a clear mission: make disciples and spread the good news of the Gospel to all nations.

This mission was not about creating separate factions, but rather about multiplying the love and message of Christ throughout the world.

When we faithfully love and care for one another, we are building up the church, not tearing it down. By working together towards a common goal, we can create a community that reflects God's love and grace to all who encounter it.

At Pastoral Transitions, we believe that this original mission is not only still relevant - it is a mandate. We work with ministries to navigate transitions in a way that honors their values and beliefs while also prioritizing unity and growth. Our approach centers around creating space for healing, restoration, and communication - all key components in building a strong and unified church community.

Building leadership for Biblically-centered ministry transitions

Are you tired of poor ministry transitions causing a lack of trust in leadership, hurt leaders, loss of giving, and even church splits?

It's time to address the root cause: poor church leadership.

While all ministry leadership have best intentions, very few navigate transitions well. A resulting poor leadership transition not only hurts the congregation and ministry in the present, it also models it to everyone for the future.

Our desire is to help church leadership become better leaders and have that propagated within the church. Join us on a journey towards healthier ministry transitions and stronger leadership rooted in Biblical principles.

How does a Pastoral Transition begin?

Churches spend a lot of time being very intentional about how they bring in a new pastor. Unfortunately, we aren’t as good at intentionally bringing that season to a close.

A Pastoral Transition is either initiated by the pastor or the church and at some point, there is a party unaware of the coming change.

Our Approach:
Honoring the sacredness of every transition

Every step of this process should be handled with care and compassion. We understand that these transitions are not just administrative tasks to check off a list - they are moments that impact entire communities.

Our approach centers around creating space for healing, growth, and restoration throughout every stage of the transition process. We work closely with both church leadership and departing pastors to ensure that communication is clear, emotions are acknowledged, and everyone feels heard and seen.

Pastoral Transitions provides comprehensive services, so the outgoing pastor and their family can thrive in their next season, whatever their calling.

CAREER

COACHING

COUNSELING

We can begin helping you navigate this path right away. Here’s how…

  • Schedule a call to get started.

    Schedule a confidential call to talk to someone on our team over the phone or Zoom to assess your needs.

  • Together, we create a roadmap.

    We talk with your church leadership while supporting your pastor (and their family) as they begin a new season.

  • Make a healthy transition.

    The best outcome is one where your church and outgoing pastor feel supported and loved as part of the family of Christ.

LET'S TALK

Let us help you navigate your next transition.

If your church is facing a difficult pastoral transition or simply wants support as you navigate changes in leadership, don't hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to help guide you through this process with grace and compassion.