New Ministry Journey
A Journey through Discovery, Transition and Transformation to a New Chapter of Ministry
“For surely, I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
The Five Phases of Transformation
The ending of one chapter of ministry and its leadership may create wonderment about what’s next. Here’s a brief overview of the process and resources available from your NW Ohio Synod family.
Please note: this is an outline that will be customized to meet the needs of your unique community and situation. We’re in this together and want to be very present partners with you on the journey.
Phase 1: Ending Well
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
When a season of ministry changes by the movement of the Holy Spirit and a pastoral leader moves on, Synod staff and a “Journey Team” (a group of two or more Synod leaders, lay and ordained) come alongside the parish and de-parting leader to:
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Design & Introduce a Process Custom-designed for each situation. |
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Conduct Exit Interviews & Share Paperwork Pastoral and Parish leaders meet and reflect on your ministry togeth-er, complete required reports/forms, and walk through what’s coming, including a review of the process description including Journey Team members’ contact information. |
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Assist Farewell & Godspeed Support parish leaders in planning appropriate observances for the parish and departing pastoral leader(s), as much as possible including Synod staff and other colleagues/pastoral leaders. |
Phase 2: Holy Pause
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” – Psalm 27:14
Even though your ministry or leader is changing, you are not abandoned by the Holy Spirit or the Synod. Leadership, including your Conference Dean(s) and Journey Team, will be appointed to walk alongside the parish through this time. This “Holy Pause” of 3 to 6 months is a time to breathe, to separate from what “was,” before considering what “is to come” through inspiration of the Holy Spirit. During this time the team will:
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Support Ongoing Worship Work with you to ensure that worship needs are addressed. |
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Address Pastoral Needs Work with parish leadership to identify and address pastoral needs and care. |
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Support the Parish Leaders Provide counsel and walk alongside your parish leaders as they navigate this “in-between time” – exploring (and perhaps establishing new) patterns of Bible Study and spiritual practices for the whole parish. |
Phase 3: Discovery
“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” – Matthew 7:7
This is a unique opportunity to remember and appreciate your parish’s history and its community, gain new insights, celebrate ongoing strengths and God’s amazing gifts, and dare to envision new opportunities to develop and/or join ministry with the Synod, wider Church, and communities among which you have been planted. In this phase, you will focus on:
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Ongoing Worship and Pastoral Care The Journey Team will continue to support you in planning, leading, and experiencing varied forms of worship, and new models of pastoral care. |
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Celebrating Your Heritage Assist you in re-telling the parish’s story from inception to present day, identifying and honoring the gifts God planted here that may be carried into future ministry. |
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Assessing Leadership Work with your elected (and “behind the scenes”) leadership to identify strengths and opportunities for adaptation going forward (includes identifying and shaping new leaders). Training such as Healthy Congregations workshops may be recommended |
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Embracing Mission Together we will utilize a variety of tools to look objectively at parish strengths and needs of the community—within and out-side the parish; naming the core values of the parish; and most importantly, daring to actively listen for God’s voice inspiring the parish to exciting new adventures in minis-try and mission. |
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Rejoicing in Connections Expand existing & develop new links with Synod and ELCA staff and resources: Exploring historic and potential collaboration with neighboring ELCA and ecumenical parishes; Exploring naturally existing and potentially new connections in the community-at-large. |
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Painting a Picture of the Future With full parish involvement in spiritual dis-cernment, develop a mutually-agreed up-on direction for ministry that reflects God’s call to parish mission & ministry moving for-ward. This may be an alternative pastoral model, developing collaborative ministry or a new Parish relationship, or involve captur-ing a snapshot of parish life that can be used by a future Call Committee, telling the parish’s story to prospective leaders. |
Phase 4: Transformation & Implementation
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2
Taking the information and discernment gained during the Discovery stage, parish leadership is assisted to initiate/adapt ministries and parish life. Beginning to live into the parish’s next chapter of ministry will likely include:
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Spiritual Practices Implement a menu of prayer, meditation, and contemplation exercises as part of the rhythm of parish life. |
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Decision-Making Process Toward New Form of Ministry After determining financial and mis-sional viability, commit to support a newly developing mission & ministry through a resident pastor, SAM, ecumenical leader; or live into an agreement for a shared ministry with neighboring parish(es) or ministries, including ordained and/or other licensed ministers; or enter a more traditional call process; or faithfully enter into the Holy Closure process, leaving a meaningful parish legacy. |
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Call Committee Identify and invite selected persons to serve as a call committee. This team will:
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Mutual Ministry Committee Identify and invite selected persons to serve as an ongoing mutual ministry committee—charged with relating to and supporting the Parish Council and ordained/Synod Authorized, or Ecumenical Ministers in their shared ministry. |
Phase 5: Starting Strong
“And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” – Revelation 21:5
Parish and Journey Teams rejoice and set the stage for a new chapter of parish ministry, including:
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Warm Welcome Officially mark new model/pastoral leaders with some combination of
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Thanksgiving Offer appreciation and a Litany for Ending the Transition Team’s, Journey Team’s, and Call Committee’s service. |
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Synod Connection Periodic interaction through the first 18—24 months of the new chapter with conversations and/or review of vision and mission, mutual ministry, etc. |
