Did You Know?

Driving down the highway a few days ago I saw an oversized moving truck heading east. I couldn’t help but think about the great United Methodist shuffle and all the clergy families packing up their belongings as they head to their new appointments this summer. Each year a significant number of congregations and clergy in our United Methodist itinerant system go through this transition.  The work of making a transition doesn’t end when the moving van unloads the new family at the doorstep of “Anywhere UMC”. As a matter of fact this step in welcoming a new pastor to the church community is barely the mid-point in an unfolding transition. As a conference, Northern Illinois has a significant investment in making the transitions of pastors a big success. So much so that last summer we partnered with a graduate student from one of our congregations. Jon Montgomery, who happened to be serving as chair of the SPRC during his church’s pastoral transition, wanted to use our UM process of transitions for his graduate research project. Over this past year through surveys, phone interviews and focus groups some important information has surfaced in our work of transitions as we compare our process to studies in this social science field. We have often thought of moving day as the conclusion of the process as newly appointed pastors arrive at the church. However research tells us that we have barely come to the mid-point in transition when clergy are delivered to the doorstep. In technical terms both church and clergy are in what author William Bridges describes as a “Neutral Zone”. This doesn’t mean that there is no work going on or that nothing can happen – both clergy and congregations are busy during the “Neutral Zone” by welcoming, demonstrating hospitality and developing relationships. This is the time before opinions are set when both parties have the opportunity to explore freely and develop patterns that can lead to a successful partnership in ministry. This period of discovery can last 6 to 8 months into the new appointment while relationships are being established. The “Neutral Zone” is an “in-between” time that can include confusion, even resentment concerning change. It can also be a time of learning, growing, building relationships and deepening understanding. Successful transitions make the most of this “Neutral Zone” turning it into a time of discovery, innovation and creativity. Intentionally recognizing this time between and navigating toward healthy relationships is key to every clergy and every congregation’s successful transition. Providing guidance, encouraging involvement, communication and collaboration can make the difference for years to come. During the “Neutral Zone” clergy and congregations are encouraged to host small group conversations with church members, share histories, learn about one another and the community, dig into the joys and challenges of the congregation, build relationships and define a future together. Finally, once the groundwork is laid the new ministry between congregation and pastor can really begin. If you have welcomed a new pastor this summer think about ways you can use the “Neutral Zone” for building a healthy future. Look for helpful resources from the “Healthy Transitions” workshop at www.umcnic.org/ordainedministry.