A New Approach to Helping Churches Through Pastoral Transitions
By Seth Hix CBFNC Associate Coordinator
A
t some point, every church finds themselves without a pastor. Regardless of the reason for the minister’s departure, this time of transition is critically important for every congregation. And often, a pastoral vacancy is commonly associated with a high level of unfamiliar anxiety. Pastoral transitions are a normal—even healthy— part of congregational life. The church’s ministry does not end when there is a pastoral vacancy. In fact, many opportunities for renewal and reformation arise in the midst of a pastoral vacancy. From our earliest days, CBFNC has assisted churches in transition. While the system has changed over the years, our commitment to helping churches find pastors has remained central to the work of “bringing Baptists together.”
THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE However, as the landscape of congregational life continues to change, so too, does the way in which congregations navigate a ministerial vacancy. The educational experiences of young clergy is vastly different than that of previous generations. The vocational paths of ordained clergy are no longer consistent. Even the networks within Cooperative Baptist life are dramatically shifting as local congregations no longer define their ministry partners primarily through a denominational identity. In response to these new realities, the CBFNC Ministerial Transition Team felt like the time was right to recalibrate how we assist churches in the midst of a ministry transition. Perhaps now more than ever our congregational systems, and the ways in which we support and connect
“When done well, a healthy transition can propel a congregation into a season of renewed spiritual fervor and thriving ministry. When done poorly, a transition can start or continue a congregational tailspin that threatens the viability of a church.” –Dr. Bill Wilson, director of the Center for Healthy Churches
Over a dozen leaders from across the state gathered in Raleigh for CBFNC Ministry Transitions Team's two-day training session to learn about CHC's process, led by Matt Cook, Bill Owen and Bill Wilson.
A few years ago, CBFNC expanded this work through the development of a candidate database, as well as the inclusion of a small team of well-respected congregational leaders called Ministerial Transition Facilitators (MTF). Strategically spread out across the state, the MTFs worked directly with local search committees and stayed in regular communication with each other and the CBFNC office. This approach capitalized on the relational networks of Jack Causey, Mike Cogdill, Terry Hamrick and Mike Queen. These men continue to actively assist congregations in transitions as interim pastors, consultants or search team coaches. 8 | The Gathering
Summer 2020
them to one another, call out for innovation. Ministry in the 21st century, post-COVID-19 world cannot thrive without renewal.
A NEW PARTNERSHIP In an effort to expand our offerings to local congregations and search teams, CBFNC has entered into a new partnership with the Center for Healthy Churches (CHC) based in Clemmons, NC. This dynamic partnership will not only reshape our approach to assisting churches in transition, but will also deepen each congregation’s internal awareness of their unique history and gifts.
