In my life, I have seen quite a few transition times. Some of them have involved moving from one place to another, an event that I've done enough that I'd rather not have to do it too many more times in the future. Some have involved significant life events, such as marriage, or the birth of a child. And some have been much less significant, such as the time I decided to change my exercise routine from basketball (due to several sprained ankles and the doctor's advice) to running, and chose a half marathon as my first event. All have impact, though some have greater impact that others.
Congregations also go through transitions. Sometimes they involve major things, like the changing of pastors, or locations. Sometimes they involve such things as refining the scope of the ministry of the congregation, seeking to be led by God's Spirit in ministry. Sometimes they involve changeovers of significant people, such as when a long-time president or elder or teacher steps aside, or new people begin to make their way into leadership roles.
There are also transitions that come as congregations reach certain numbers of worship attendance. Once a congregation reaches a certain number of people who call that place their worship home, things inevitably have to change. One of these transitions arises as a congregation passes about the 50 worshiping community mark. Up until that point, the pastor is pretty able to be a very hands-on shepherd for all of God's people. In a congregation of that size, one or two influential members can be very important to the life of the congregation, and their support and work together is vital when congregations seek to minister. Some would call this the family member size congregation.
After that 50 worshiping community number arrives, a transition takes place. Now the pastor simply cannot be as hands-on with each person there as he and they might hope. It becomes simply a logistical matter. Also, as that worshiping community increases on to 100 and beyond, each individual voice becomes a bit less influential. God's people begin to look to the pastor, rather than significant influential people for leadership and guidance. Some would call this the pastor led congregation.
However, another transition takes place when the worshiping community begins to rise between 150-200 (several different authors place the transition at different places, but typically, they arrive between these two numbers in the worshiping community). No longer can the pastor continue to effectively be the most influential servant among God's people. He has to now rely upon other trusted leaders, since he simply cannot be everywhere, and attend to all the things that need attention and oversight. The transition becomes more about the staff that work in close coordination with the pastor. If that staff (which includes both paid and volunteer positions) are not on the same page and going in the same direction, many difficulties will occur.
This transition places a great deal of importance upon the individuals who walk alongside the pastor in guiding the congregation. This isn't to say that they all have to agree with everything that the pastor leads (as though that were possible in the first place), but they all have to be able to work together, and then, when decisions are made, be able to support the decision, even if it isn't one they personally were hoping for (and, by the way, that also goes for the pastor, who cannot assert his authority unless it is something mandated by the Bible as right or wrong. He also has to be able to go where the Spirit may lead through God's people, rather than in his own personal preference).
Transitions are very important times for congregations. They have to be handled with wisdom, with sensitivity, and with a great deal of care. When they are handled well, the congregation remains equipped to share the Gospel message in their community. When handled poorly, they often set back the congregation and cause an internal examination, rather than a striving to reach out to the community. As congregations arrive at these transition places, the hope and prayer is always for a smooth, Spirit-led transition.
Congregations also go through transitions. Sometimes they involve major things, like the changing of pastors, or locations. Sometimes they involve such things as refining the scope of the ministry of the congregation, seeking to be led by God's Spirit in ministry. Sometimes they involve changeovers of significant people, such as when a long-time president or elder or teacher steps aside, or new people begin to make their way into leadership roles.
There are also transitions that come as congregations reach certain numbers of worship attendance. Once a congregation reaches a certain number of people who call that place their worship home, things inevitably have to change. One of these transitions arises as a congregation passes about the 50 worshiping community mark. Up until that point, the pastor is pretty able to be a very hands-on shepherd for all of God's people. In a congregation of that size, one or two influential members can be very important to the life of the congregation, and their support and work together is vital when congregations seek to minister. Some would call this the family member size congregation.
After that 50 worshiping community number arrives, a transition takes place. Now the pastor simply cannot be as hands-on with each person there as he and they might hope. It becomes simply a logistical matter. Also, as that worshiping community increases on to 100 and beyond, each individual voice becomes a bit less influential. God's people begin to look to the pastor, rather than significant influential people for leadership and guidance. Some would call this the pastor led congregation.
However, another transition takes place when the worshiping community begins to rise between 150-200 (several different authors place the transition at different places, but typically, they arrive between these two numbers in the worshiping community). No longer can the pastor continue to effectively be the most influential servant among God's people. He has to now rely upon other trusted leaders, since he simply cannot be everywhere, and attend to all the things that need attention and oversight. The transition becomes more about the staff that work in close coordination with the pastor. If that staff (which includes both paid and volunteer positions) are not on the same page and going in the same direction, many difficulties will occur.
This transition places a great deal of importance upon the individuals who walk alongside the pastor in guiding the congregation. This isn't to say that they all have to agree with everything that the pastor leads (as though that were possible in the first place), but they all have to be able to work together, and then, when decisions are made, be able to support the decision, even if it isn't one they personally were hoping for (and, by the way, that also goes for the pastor, who cannot assert his authority unless it is something mandated by the Bible as right or wrong. He also has to be able to go where the Spirit may lead through God's people, rather than in his own personal preference).
Transitions are very important times for congregations. They have to be handled with wisdom, with sensitivity, and with a great deal of care. When they are handled well, the congregation remains equipped to share the Gospel message in their community. When handled poorly, they often set back the congregation and cause an internal examination, rather than a striving to reach out to the community. As congregations arrive at these transition places, the hope and prayer is always for a smooth, Spirit-led transition.
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