Transitional Pastor
ONLINE Cohort
Orientation
As you begin your journey toward becoming a Transitional Pastor seeking to shepherd and serve a local congregation to advance God’s mission in their community, we want to take a moment and orient you to the process and expectations of this training.
1.This training is best utilized with a cohort of 3-7 other learners and a facilitator.
You may be taking this course online with others or with men from your association, but don’t journey alone. We have intentionally designed this course to allow you to work through assignments individually in preparation to convene as a cohort of learners several times throughout the coursework.
2. This training is best when applied to a case study.
We have provided case studies for your cohort to help you consider how the content will be utilized once a church calls you to serve as their Transitional Pastor. Your cohort will need to choose which case study to work with before beginning.
3. This training will remain available to you as a resource library after the course is completed.
We trust you will diligently participate in each session of this course, but also realize the content may need to be reviewed again at a later date for further learning or once you secure your first position. You will be able to access the course resources again as needed, so make sure you save your login information.
Training Schedule
Orientation
Online Cohort Session One
Skills and Stages 1-3
Online Cohort Session Two
Stages 4-8
Online Cohort Session Three
Next Steps
Overview of Transitional Pastor Training
Let’s begin with an examination of the transitional period churches undergo and how the Transitional Pastor ministry can serve them best. The time between pastors is a very important time for the church to consider their current reality and take key steps of faith toward preparing for the next pastor while continuing to advance the mission of God in their context.
Assignments:
1. Create a transitional pastor profile for this course. Share your contact information and a brief bio with your cohort members and facilitator by clicking on the link: Create a Profile
2. Download the Transitional Pastor Manual. You will need to refer to this resource during this training, so either save it or print it to create a notebook for your own use.
(Download PDF)
3. Review the case studies, A Tale Of Three Churches, found in the Transitional Pastor Manual. Your cohort will choose one of these case studies for application and discussion.
4. Watch the Overview video by Gary Anderson (24 min) (Presentation Slides)
5. Review the following sections in the Transitional Pastor Manual:
The Transitional Period In The Life Of A Church
The Transitional Pastor In The Life Of A Church
Reflection Questions: At the end of each lesson, you will find questions to help with application and discussion.
We encourage you to record your answers in a personal notebook.
- What personal goals do you have for this training?
- What questions do you have regarding the Overview and initial sections of the training? Go ahead and record them here in preparation for your cohort session.
- Take a minute and write out a prayer in your journal that captures your thoughts and requests in preparation for this training.
THIS CONCLUDES THE ORIENTATION FOR THE TRANSITIONAL PASTOR TRAINING.
YOUR NEXT SESSION IS A COHORT SESSION WITH YOUR FACILITATOR BEFORE CONTINUING ANY FURTHER.
== Check your email for a Teams meeting invite for August 29th @10am.
> Skills, Pastor’s Covenant, and Stages 1-3
This section will help you prepare for your first opportunity to serve as Transitional Pastor. Beginning with a self-assessment of the skills needed, you will then consider the relationship between pastor and church before beginning the initial stages.
Work through this section thoroughly in preparation for your next cohort session. We would encourage participants to meet at least once in their assigned small group and apply the content to their case study before their next cohort session.
THE ESSENTIAL SKILLS OF A TRANSITIONAL PASTOR
We have identified several key skills needed for a successful transitional pastor ministry. During this lesson, a team of practitioners will provide a brief overview of each of these skills in a panel discussion. The skills addressed are (1) spiritual discernment, (2) leadership, (3) caring, (4) proclaiming, (5) technical and, (6) conflict management.
Assignments:
Refer to the information and resources provided in your Transitional Pastor Manual as you view the Skills video discussion panel. During the tenure of your ministry, the listed resources and notes will be helpful to guide a church through their season of transition.
Watch the Skills “Roundtable” Video presented by the panel (44 mins
(Presentation Slides)
Reflection Questions:
- Of the mentioned skills, which do you feel are your strengths? Which skills may need further development?
- For each skill you identified as needing further development, identify one action step you can take to strengthen each skill listed.
Additional Resources
The following resource may be helpful to your training and development as Transitional Pastor:
THE TRANSITIONAL PASTOR COVENANT
The ministry of a Transitional Pastor is unique and often is guided by a covenantal relationship between church and pastor. This agreement outlines the scope of the work and how the two parties will partner together during the transitional period.
Assignment:
Review the section on the Transitional Pastor Covenant in your Manual.
Reflection Questions:
- Go ahead and create a list of questions you will utilize in exploring the opportunity to serve as a church’s Transitional Pastor. Should a church call you next week, what questions would you ask their leadership?
- Create a rough draft of a covenant document utilizing the example provided below.
STAGE 1: VIEW THE CHURCH’S HISTORY THROUGH THE EYES OF CHRIST
Dealing with the church’s history can be crucial and healing. Planning a church memories workshop early in the process is helpful for remembering, discovering and setting the stage for a healthy future.
- Review Stage 1 content in your Manual before viewing the Stage 1 Video.
- Watch the Stage 1 Video by Randy Keasler (28 mins)
(Presentation Slides)
Reflection Questions:
- What benefits do you envision the memories workshop having for members of the church?
- How could it benefit you as the new Transitional Pastor?
STAGE 2: ASSESS THE CHURCH’S CURRENT REALITY
Helping a church understand its current reality follows a look at the church’s history. Here the church addresses its current culture and opportunities of ministry in their context as it begins the work of becoming what God wants in their future. If the church has not looked at a demographic profile this will be helpful now. The Church Strategies Office of the SCBC can assist in providing one for the church you are serving.
Assignments:
- Review Stage 2 content in your Manual before viewing the Stage 2 Video.
- Watch the Stage 2 Video by Jim Osteen (23 mins)
(Presentation Slides)
Reflection Questions:
- What resources will you utilize to help you understand the church’s current reality?
- How do you envision guiding the team through this stage? What do you hope to accomplish?
- How will you help the church membership to better understand their current reality and opportunities?
- How will you address any values or realities that are not Biblical or Kingdom focused?
Additional Resources
The following resource may be helpful to your training and development as Transitional Pastor:
STAGE 3: AFFIRM BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR CHURCH GROWTH
During this lesson, we will seek to bring Biblical principles into focus. A visual of the Church Model and Process can found in the manual will be helpful in identifying and rediscovering the six functions necessary in a healthy church and examine their current effectiveness. An emphasis on these functions and their balance with each other is necessary for congregational health. Steps for the utilization of a SWOT Analysis are also provided as they have proven helpful for affirming the current reality and beginning steps toward strengthening the church during a time of transition in preparation for their next pastor.
- Review Stage 3 content in your Manual before viewing the Stage 3 Video.
- Watch the Stage 3 Video by Jerry Sosebee (26 mins) (Presentation Slides)
Reflection Questions:
- Take a few minutes and consider your case study. Based on the information provided, which of the 6 functions of the church listed would you assume to be weak or absent from the ministry of the church?
- What options might you have to evaluate the strength of each of the functions?
- How do you envision discussing your assessment of the 6 functions with the transition team?
WE WOULD ENCOURAGE PARTICIPANTS TO MEET AT LEAST ONCE WITH THEIR SMALL GROUP TO APPLY THE CONTENT TO THEIR CASE STUDY BEFORE THEIR NEXT COHORT SESSION.
THIS CONCLUDES SECTION 1 OF YOUR TRANSITIONAL PASTOR TRAINING.
YOUR NEXT SESSION IS A COHORT SESSION WITH YOUR FACILITATOR BEFORE CONTINUING ANY FURTHER.
== Check your email for a Teams meeting invite for September,ber 26th @10am.
> Stages 4-8
STAGE 4: FOCUS ON KINGDOM RESULTS
When the supernatural activity of God is at work through the local body of Christ, it will be reflected in the transformed lives of the congregants as they stay on mission.
Assignments:
- Review Stage 4 in your Manual before viewing the Stage 4 Video.
- Watch the Stage 4 video by James Nugent (27 mins) (Presentation Slides)
Reflection Questions:
- How do you envision helping the church and transition team to develop a Kingdom focus during their time of transition?
- What barriers or challenges do you anticipate during this stage?
STAGE 5: ESTABLISH CHURCH PRACTICE
Leading a congregation from conviction to practice is a crucial stage. Church practice is how you involve people in the six functions present in a healthy congregation. An important thing to keep in mind is: vision + strategy + implementation = results. Strategy is the decided course of action to produce Kingdom results. Church practice is the utilization of the plan to get there.
- Review Stage 5 in your Manual before viewing the Stage 5 Video.
- Watch the Stage 5 video by Joe Willard (37 mins) (Presentation Slides)
Reflection Questions:
- How might you assess the strengths and weaknesses of the church church practices listed in this stage of your training?
-
How do you envision teaching on these practices in ways that may encourage change toward more Biblical models of ministry?
STAGE 6: REFOCUS THE CHURCH AROUND MISSION
Refocus the church around its Biblical mission. Time will be spent applying principles learned from the previous stages. The church may need to recommit to their mission statement or begin the process of adopting a new one. As you review this section, reflect on your assigned case study to help you apply the principles and recommended strategies.
Assignments:
- Review Stage 6 in your Manual before viewing the Stage 6 Video.
- Watch the Stage 6 video by Rob White (32 mins) (Presentation Slides)
Reflection Questions:
-
Let’s start with your case study. Based on the information provided, what evidence do you have to indicate the church has drifted from its Biblical mission?
-
What options do you have to remind the church of its mission and help them begin to refocus? Think tangibly. What specifically could you do as their Transitional Pastor to refocus them on God's mission for the church?
Additional Resources
The following resource may be helpful to your training and development as Transitional Pastor:
STAGE 7: FIND A PASTOR TO LEAD IN FULFILLING GOD’S FUTURE FOR THE CHURCH
The time frame to help a committee and congregation begin the work of their next pastor search may vary. Most of the time your role will be to have them slow down. Some of the work the church has done in the process you have led will better prepare them. You may choose to train the search committee or ask for assistance from your local AMS or SCBC. The big thing for the committee and congregation is to PRAY! The Pastor Search Committee can be obtained in digital form from the Church Leadership Office of the SCBC.
Assignments:
- Review Stage 7 in your Manual before viewing the Stage 7 Video.
- Watch the Stage 7 video by Ken Forrester (17 mins) (Presentation Slides)
Reflection Questions:
- What process do you envision for helping a church find their next pastor?
- Most of the focus during this stage is given to the pastor search team. How will you equip the rest of the church to support the work of the team?
STAGE 8: HELP THE PASTOR GET A GOOD START IN THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY
You have the privilege of preparing the church for the arrival of its new pastor. You may be asked to be involved in passing the baton. Even if you are not asked, you can advise some help for assisting the new pastor in starting well.
Assignments:
- Review Stage 8 in your Manual before viewing the Stage 8 Video.
- Watch the Stage 8 video by Gary Anderson & Ken Forrester (10 mins) (Presentation Slides)
Reflection Question:
-
After investing 12-18+ months with a church as their Transitional Pastor, how do you envision passing the baton to the next pastor?
WE WOULD ENCOURAGE PARTICIPANTS TO MEET AT LEAST ONCE WITH THEIR SMALL GROUP TO APPLY THE CONTENT TO THEIR CASE STUDY BEFORE THEIR NEXT COHORT SESSION.
THIS CONCLUDES SECTION 2 OF YOUR TRANSITIONAL PASTOR TRAINING.
YOUR NEXT SESSION IS A COHORT SESSION WITH YOUR FACILITATOR BEFORE CONTINUING ANY FURTHER.
== Check your email for a Teams meeting invite for September,ber 26th @10am.
> Next Steps to Becoming a Transitional Pastor
NEXT STEPS TO BECOMING A TRANSITIONAL PASTOR
Congratulations on completing your Transitional Pastor online course with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. It has been our honor to serve you and equip you with this resource. As you finalize your preparation for your first opportunity to serve as Transitional Pastor, we want to invite you to complete your Transitional Pastor Profile and share your availability.
Assignments:
- Create a Transitional Pastor Profile with SC Baptist Convention
- You may also utilize our online Pastor Job Board to share your availability.
Post your resume’ on the SC Baptist Job Board
Would you take a few minutes to provide your feedback to help us better equip Transitional Pastors in the future? Follow this link to complete a short survey for our team.
