Transition time is here for the Western NC Conference

     Transition time is here for the Western NC Conference of the United Methodist Church. We are in the middle of figuring out how to move from having 15 districts to 8 districts. Since Annual Conference met last summer there has been a team of people working diligently on how to bring this change on paper into a reality. If you have not already been to the conference website, you can go there to look at the new district line proposal, the new district names, and the churches that will be aligned with each district. Some of you may be asking why are we trying to do this and what was wrong with the way things were? We are working to do the best we can to realign resources and energy to do the best we can to make disciples for Jesus Christ. Why does it have to be that the church is usually 50 years behind the times? Well, for some of the ways we do life together, the old ways of worship and singing and coming together, and making disciples and people getting saved are working great. I hope that for all the churches that are going through a time of prosperity and seeing fruit in ministry that this time of transition will not be seen as a negative dynamic that will pull you down in any way. I don't see any reason that the change in conference structure should slow you down even for one day. But, for the churches that are struggling, and in a real need of an extreme makeover from the top to the bottom, the model of what the conference is doing may help give your church the example it needs to go ahead and make some tough choices, realign priorities, and put all you have towards becoming more effective in putting resources behind making disciples for Jesus Christ.


     As a pastor, I am close to completing my 19th year of full time ministry as Elder in this conference. Having served several churches, I am not a stranger to times of transition. Every year this time of year, there are hosts of pastors and churches that are gearing up or gearing down because you are facing a time of transition because of a change in pastoral leadership. Having been through that a few times I would like to offer some words to both pastors and churches are in that time in the life cycle of your church or ministry right now. To the pastors, seek out other pastors who are going through times of transition. You are not alone in the feeling of being bombarded with a host of what if questions. You make the effort to find other pastors who are transitioning and offer support to pastors who are going through times of change just like you are. Remember, we are in this together, and you are not alone. To the churches, I offer to you the challenge to look for the strength that you bring to the table as the lay people of your church. What area of ministry are you doing well right now? This is a great time to focus on what you as lay people do well and go after your ministry! If you are in the middle of a building project, then keep on building. If you are in the middle of starting a new playground, then keep on planning and fundraising and gathering the volunteers to make it happen. The dance between the pastor and the congregation in who is taking the lead can shift to the congregation during the times of transition in pastoral changes. When the new pastor arrives, you will be in a great place of being focused on ministry and offer your new pastor the chance to see how his or her gifts will add strength to the ministry that your church may be missing.

     There is no way to escape that times of transition may cause some pain. As human beings we simply are not crazy about change, in whatever form change comes to us. We just have it in our bones to not want but so much change and at a certain pace. Life usually will bring us more change than we want and at a faster pace than we want. So we do what a normal human being does, we will adapt. We will grieve having to give up relationships and the security of the way things used to be, and in working through that get ready to embrace new possibilities. All that doesn't happen on the same day. Transition is truly a process. It's time to get our head in the gear that change is coming. Grief is part of acknowledging the good that may be left behind. In a healthy grief, that allows us to let go and get ready to embrace the new opportunities that the Lord will bring, both for pastors and for congregations. Our conference is currently right in the middle of its time of transition of structure. Change is coming. Many churches and pastors are also in a time of transition knowing that change is coming. It is our prayer together that God's hand will be on each change, and to work through every change the most good for the cause of Christ that is possible. My prayers are with the church and all those who are really feeling transitions right now. Remember, God is still in charge.