 | | Ivan Williams |
Supporting Pastors During Church Transitions
In general, moving, relocating, transitioning, or however you want to categorize it, is known as the soon-to-be plight of most pastors in ministry. It's not a matter of if we will relocate, but when. We all get a sense of what Abraham must have felt like when the Lord told him to move his household to a land that He would show him. (Genesis 12:1-3) At least for us, we are told or share in the process of where we are moving. Supporting and staying close to pastors and their families during what can be a very stressful time is an essential work for ministerial directors.
In many ways transitioning to a new church in a new town or city means leaving behind friends, memories, congregational love, blood, sweat and tears, and many years of soul investments and people labor. Let's be real, moving is tough even when you've experienced a not so happy marriage with a church, and with spousal employment challenges and children peer relationships that will be changed, moving is very challenging. So how can ministerial directors help? What can be done to soften the blow of the inevitable transitional stress?
Participating in the process and sharing the news of moving a pastor, ideally, should try to be done face to face if possible, and it shouldn't be a total surprise for the pastor. This of course, requires intentional planning because of large geographic territories and vacancy problems. This meeting about ministry relocation could take place around worker's meeting time or personally in the home. Telephoning this news should be a last resort, and emailing this information for the first time shouldn't happen at all. Here are some practical ways of helping and supporting pastors and their families during times of ministry relocations:
- Prepare a moving kit for pastors. The kit could encompass the moving essentials that would include information about the housing market, health care, employment potentials, places to purchase food, schools info, etc.
- Prepare formal or informal information about the church DNA that includes history, challenges, strengths, attendance, finances, and leadership.
- Find out the particular likes of the pastor, spouse or children, and surprise them.
- Share a demographic study of the city or town. This will give the pastoral family a real sense of the community they will be ministering to, and it will also give them insight as to where they will choose to live.
- Encourage the head elder or hostess leader to prepare a farewell or welcome.
Please share your ideas and what you are currently doing in your conference on our Facebook page.
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| A Reminder About Campmeeting |
Those who have considered themselves qualified to bear responsibilities in the churches, should seek to obtain light and a knowledge of how to prosecute their work at this time in the cities, north and south, east and west... Our campmeetings should do a more thorough work in preparing the laborers for the work that is to be done in every place. The campmeetings attendend (supplied)...were made special seasons of seeking the Lord. Every morning at an early hour the ministers assembled in the large tent, where we sought to become of one mind. LLM p. 191
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KEEPING KIDS STRONG IN COLLEGE
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New research finds that many college students toss their faith like a jacket. How can you foster faith that lasts?
Kara Powell, executive director of the Fuller Youth Institute and faculty member of the Fuller Theological Seminary says, "when young adults graduate from high school, their faith is often too weak to prepare them for college. As a result, may behave in ways that are counter to their Christian upbringing." She suggests teaching youth with an understanding of the context of Scripture's commands, and teaching them about recovery and repentance helps to strengthen their Christian journey.
The Fuller Youth Institute at Fuller Seminary in Pasedena, California conducted a six-year research project to uncover the roots of the problem. More importantly they offer solutions to help church leaders and parents build long-lasting faith in young people.
For additional findings on Sticky Faith research go to
http://fulleryouthinstitute.org/
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VOTE ON A NEW EVANGELISTIC RESOURCE
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 GC Communication is launching a creative webisode project entitled The Record Keeper that will feature themes from eleven chapters of The Great Hope. Watch the pilot webisode now. These short films could be used as an integral part of a ground breaking evangelistic series. We would love to hear from the Pastors and Ministerial Directors of North America to see if this is something that you think NAD Ministerial should pursue. Take a few moments to answer this brief survey. Be sure to watch the pilot first.
Take the quick survey now!
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| News & Notes |
3 NAD Pastors attend the 3rd International Bible Conference
Together with theologians and administrators from around the world, three NAD pastors were able to participate, discuss, and help to shape the future biblical emphasis and scholarship for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastor Mike Troxell will share more of his experience next month. In attendance (From R to L) were Pastor's Michael W. Campbell-Kansas-Nebraska Conference, Larry Lichtenwalter-Michigan Conference, and Mike Troxell-Gulf States Conference (Photo attached)
NAD Ministerial Directors Conference Phone Call This Month
On Thursday, July 12, at 1:30 pm EST all NAD Ministerial Directors are asked to participate in a conference call. All Union Ministerial Directors will meet additionally at 2:30 pm EST. Participants will dial (866) 822-1298 and enter conference code on prompt# 3587458
2015 NAD Pastors Convention Survey Results Are In
NAD Pastors prefer the 2015 Pastors Convention to take place before the GC Session. According to the respondents, 70% desire the convention before the Session, 90% want to bring their spouses, 40% would like to bring their children, and retirees and non-clergy are interested in attending.
Listen to Their Stories
More and more stories are added every week to the collection of women clergy who are sharing their call to ministry.
Follow our new "Best Practices Newsletter" on our own Ministerial Directors facebook page.
Please share with us what's happening in your conference or Union. We would love to share what you doing with other Ministerial Directors in our Division.
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| A Point to Make |
The pure religion Jesus taught condemned the hollow professions of piety by the Pharisees and Saducceees.
DA p. 538
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