Pastor Transition Resources

This process was created to help ensure that all newly appointed pastors and their PPRC are meeting monthly for at least four months and that they are checking-in on basic topics of the transition process.

As the United States population becomes increasingly diverse, it is imperative for churches to develop the awareness and skills needed to interact successfully with people from diverse experiences. Methods that work well with a segment of the community may be irrelevant or inappropriate for other segments of the community. As church leaders seeking to connect with the community, we must be willing to be lifelong learners and willing to implement innovative ways of working with a diverse community. This work begins with understanding how culture operates.

Conference Lay Leader and LCSW Amy Thompson offers a presentation on self-care during pastoral transitions.

See the stories of real Missouri Methodist families making pastoral transitions with children of all ages. Share these videos with your family. The videos are available for streaming or download on our Vimeo channel.

Rev. Kim Jenne, Director of Connectional Ministries offers an introduction to healthy boundaries.

Rev. Kim Jenne, Director of Connectional Ministries discusses social media and Safe Gatherings best practices.

Rev. Kim Jenne, Director of Connectional Ministries discusses misconduct and harassment including lay on clergy harassment.

Rev. Kim Jenne, Director of Connectional Ministries discusses healthy communications during pastoral transitions.

MissionInsite can help you understand the demographics of your church's community.

Rev. Roger Ross shares elements of the Four Disciplines of Execution and the Ministry Action Plan.

Discipleship coaching offers a model for creating a transformational, multiplying discipleship culture within a ministry context. Through this coaching model you can develop a focused vision for where you’re going and a creative plan for getting there.  

Elizabeth Cassidy, a psychologist and clergy spouse, offers her insight on strategies for grief and transition during a pastoral change as part of the Leaving Well Webinar series, examining how pastors and churches can best navigate pastoral transition.

Amy Thompson, a licensed clinical social worker and the Missouri Conference Lay Leader, walks through transitions by developmental stages incorporating real stories of MO clergy and their families as part of the Leaving Well Webinar series, examining how pastors and churches can best navigate pastoral transition.

Rev. Nate Berneking, Rev. Bruce Baxter and Conference Lay Leader Amy Thompson share specifics for PPRCs during a pastoral transition as part of the Leaving Well Webinar series, examining how pastors and churches can best navigate pastoral transition.

Rev. Jim Ozier shares how to prepare for pastoral transition as part of the Leaving Well Webinar series, examining how pastors and churches can best navigate pastoral transition.

Simple and practical toolkits on the nature of discipleship in whatever format best fits your need – sermon starters, small group leader training, a one-time group study, or a small group study series.