I want to take a few moments and write a note of encouragement directly to my church family at GABC since the church is in a time of transition. Times of transition are interesting because no one really knows what’s next. No one knows what to expect in the coming months, let alone next week, and I know it can be stressful. Many of our members are very committed to GABC, but I know the thoughts that go through many of our minds–even if we keep those thoughts to ourselves. I also know the many questions that can possibly fill our thoughts.
GABC is blessed to have a great team of people interested in serving one another. Some churches enter into a time of transition and people start grasping for power or authority. Talking with our deacons and working this week to coordinate and plan the service for Sunday, I can sincerely say that the team cares deeply for the congregation. We are in good hands. I know we have a great congregation that inspires love and edification as we come together in Christ’s name. This should be the most encouraging truth for us. No matter what the future has in store for GABC, this is a great church family to be a part of.
I have seen a few church transitions, and for those who have not seen them or been a part of one, here are some things to consider.
Healthy transitions are slow.
From my experience, I find there are two basic types of churches in transition. First, there is the church simply looking to fill a position. Because people felt like a position needed to be filled for the sake of “having a pastor” (or interim), the congregation or ministry team in charge rushed to appoint someone to that position. It usually ended up causing more problems than it prevented because there wasn’t enough time allotted to see if the person was a good fit or met the qualifications provided for us in 1 Timothy 3. Knowing who someone is takes time.
Second, there is the patient church that takes the time to know who someone is. People don’t have to be perfect by any means (no one is), but it is important for someone to truly have a servant’s heart and want to pour his life into the congregation. We simply can’t know that after merely one or two interviews.
Healthy transitions move slowly. Here, at the beginning of our time of transition, it is important for us to know because all people have a tendency to become impatient in the flesh. Our impatience can easily lead us into unnecessary drama. So, we should strive to lean toward patience. Neither our deacons nor committees have to rush into any decisions. The congregation as a whole can be gracious and patient as our teams do their work. They have enough pressure on them as it is, and it is good for us not to rush because we want to make good decisions.
I understand there will be many questions about the progress of the work our teams are doing and what types of people they may be looking for. I also understand that everyone in the congregation may have an opinion about qualities to seek after or the way processes move. As we practice patience, we want to guard ourselves from overwhelming our deacons or committee members with too many questions or opinions. We have good and trustworthy teams in place, and this early in the process there aren’t ready answers to most questions people tend to ask. Committees aren’t ready for opinions in masse. That will come, and there will be a process for moving information. Our patience, whether we are in the office, on a committee, or in the pew, is of utmost importance; it is how we love one another at the start of a transitional season. Things will seem to move slowly, and that’s good.
The work of the gospel does not stop.
While good decisions take time, the work of the gospel goes on. The church is still meeting for the purpose of worship. We are still striving to win the lost by the gospel message. We are still working to equip the saints of Christ for your ministry in this world. Transition does not mean we are in limbo. Every believer has a calling to service both to the world for the sake of evangelism and to the saints as we come together in worship. This also works out for the unity of GABC during this time of transition. It’s difficult to throw stones if we are washing feet.
In reality, there are many people in many churches relying on their pastors to do all the work of ministry. Scripture tells us we all have gifts given by the Spirit for the purpose of ministry (cf. 1 Corinthians 12ff. Romans 12:1ff). For those not serving according to the gifts given to you by the Spirit, perhaps a transition is the perfect opportunity to find and plug into a place of service. You are still present. Your gospel work goes on.
There may be the temptation to stop doing what you are doing because of the uncertainty of the future. You don’t know what the direction of the church will be in a few months or the leadership style of a possible incoming interim or pastor. Worrying about those things can be daunting, or at least exhausting. I have to admit that I have rushed into worry at times in my life–even quitting a ministry because I worried about how a decision would affect the work I was already doing. Looking back on that moment now, I recognize my own pride and how my worry was really unnecessary. With humility, things would have turned out fine and I would have still had a successful ministry. There may be valid reasons to stop doing something, but worry is never one. By worrying we don’t add a single second to our lives. God cares for us. “His eye is on the sparrow And I know He watches me.”
You are still important.
Sometimes in the absence of a pastor, people can feel neglected or unimportant because that pastor took time to make sure they felt welcome. That feeling is completely understandable, and missing someone is a good sign. The pastor was not only your pastor but your friend. Now, he is not at your church on Sundays. It may even be the case he is moving far enough away that you can’t visit him. It is perfectly okay to miss a friend and even be sad about his absence on Sunday morning. No one can fill the place he had in your life.
Despite any feelings you may experience now or in the coming days, you are still beloved of God. While no one can be who your pastor is to you, you are not alone and you are deeply cared for. It won’t be the same, and that’s okay.
If you need someone to talk to, our doors are always open.
God is always sovereign.
Finally, something Pastor Shaun constantly reminded us of, God is always in control. That means we don’t have to be. God is the one working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). This truth makes life very simple. Our responsibility is not to make sure things work out. God’s got that under control. We simply love God and seek to fulfill our own heavenly calling in Christ. It is easy for us to feel overwhelmed because of everything that “has to be done” or feel all the responsibilities are on us because “someone has to do it.” These are merely lies of the world. We simply love God and focus on our own callings according to His purpose.
God really is good at putting the pieces together, so we don’t have to feel overwhelmed whether we sit in the office, on a committee, or in the pew. God is good and cares for each of us deeply.
I don’t know what you are thinking or feeling. I can’t predict how each individual person will think or feel as we move into the coming days, weeks, and months. I hope you are encouraged and hopeful because of who God is, knowing that He has good plans for us.
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