the free methodist church in canada

Church Health

Transitions

Church Transitions Handbook (WORD)

There have always been pastors and churches in transition, regardless of which appointment system was in operation at the time. Once a local church is in transition, a board-approved Pastoral Leadership Task Force (PLTF) develops a church profile and pastor’s job description and works in consultation with the Director of Leadership Development and Church Health to hire a pastor who is a good fit for the local church and the denomination. After receiving resumes, conducting interviews and selecting a pastor, the PLTF chairperson sends a request to the Bishop for that pastor to be appointed by the conference, and in turn the Bishop presents that recommendation to the Ministerial Education Guidance and Placement (MEGaP) committee for approval, after which the selected pastor is appointed.

At some point in the pastor’s ministry career, he or she will find themselves in transition, whether it is between pastoral appointments at local churches, going into transition without a new pastoral position or transitioning to retirement. The Transitions Handbook for Pastors is designed to be a helpful resource during the process.

Churches in Transition - Profiles Available

Lakeside Community Church

Position: Lead Pastor – Full-Time
Location: 121 Shuswap Street SW,
Salmon Arm, BC, V1E 4H8
Deadline to Apply: July 25, 2023

Summary

Lakeside Community Church (LCC) is seeking to fill the role of Lead Pastor for our creative and unique church located in Salmon Arm B.C. LCC embraces its current reality and is seeking fresh ways of being the body of Christ as we missionally serve our community. The pastoral candidate we seek for our next season of ministry will have the gifts, temperament, and calling to be a missional leader, an equipper of others, and to possess creative vision. We desire a pastor who will create a sense of community in our ever-changing context.

How to Apply
After reviewing the job profile and job description, please send Cover Letter and Resume to [email protected]

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. However, Canadian citizens and permanent residents may be given priority.

Each application will be reviewed prayerfully.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

How to discern whether it is time to leave your current pastoral appointment.

[Note: Just because you ask the question does not mean you will leave your current appointment.]

download PDF file download WORD file

When It’s Time to Leave, by Gordon MacDonald

Transition Handbook for Pastors

download PDF download WORD file

Other resources for Pastors in Transition:

Fact Sheet for Pastors in Transition (FMCiC)

The Right Start: Beginning Ministry In A New Setting (Saint Paul School of Theology / Wesley Theological Seminary)

Ten Commandments for Pastors, by Lawrence Farris

How To Leave a Pastorate, by Fred McGehee

Leaving Well (If You’re Going to Go, Go!) by Israel Galindo

Letting Go: Setting Boundaries In Retirement and Former Parishes, by L. Ronald Brushwhyler

Managing Transitions by Rev. Cam Taylor

Transition Handbook for Churches

Section One – First Steps in the Process	Section-One-First-Steps (pdf)	Section-One-First-Steps (Word)
Section Two – Developing the Profile	Section-Two-Developing-the-Profile (pdf)	Section-Two-Developing-the-Profile (Word)
Section Three – Seeking Candidates	Section-Three-Seeking-Candidates (pdf)	Section-Three-Seeking-Candidates (Word)
Section Four – The Interviewing Process	Section-Four-The-Interview-Process (pdf)	Section-Four-The-Interview-Process (Word)
Section Five – Conclusion	Section Five-Conclusion (pdf)	Section Five-Conclusion (Word)
Section Six-Welcoming the New Pastor	Section Six-Welcoming the New Pastor (pdf)	Section Six-Welcoming the New Pastor (Word)
Complete Church Transition Handbook (rev Jan/22)	Church Transitions Handbook (pdf)	Church Transitions Handbook (Word)

Your local church is declared “in transition” and a Pastoral Leadership Task Force (PLTF) has been appointed by the Board. The PLTF will have the responsibility of working with the Director of Church Health along with the Ministerial Education Guidance and Placement (MEGaP) committee of the conference in a search for the person who will give lead pastoral leadership to the next stage of your local church’s development. This is an important responsibility and involves many hours of dedicated committee work, prayer, communication and interviewing. At the end of the process, the PLTF will recommend a person for the Bishop to introduce to the MEGaP committee. The Transitions Handbook for Churches is designed to help in the process.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Contact Davika Dotson

Administrative Assistant

Leadership Development Office

905-848-2600 ext 205
Fax: 905-848-2603