Ever asked someone a personal question only to get “It’s complicated” as the answer? “Complicated” is how you could describe most ministry transitions. Whether you are in your first ministry transition or your tenth, they are all “complicated.” And because they are “complicated,” we don’t like to talk about them.

Align Ministries does.

Doesn’t talking about pastoral transitions encourage pastors to leave their congregations?

Maybe, but probably not.

The truth is, we need to talk more about pastoral ministry transitioning, not less. Ministry transitions happen… frequently. Consider this:

• • • There are about 300,000 churches in the United States.
    • The average tenure for a pastor is around 6 years.
    • This means about 40,000–50,000 pastor transitions happen every year, with the majority of them being pastors who serve in smaller churches.

FYI: 60% of churches in the US have a Sunday morning attendance of under 100. Statistically, the average Sunday morning attendance for all churches in the US is around 65 people.

The focus of Align Ministries is to help pastors who have already made the initial decision to pursue a ministry transition and are in the early phases of that transition journey. (If you need help evaluating whether or not you should make a ministry transition, connect with a pastoral ministry coach, a trusted ministry-minded friend, or a denominational leader.)

Is Align Ministries only for “small churches?”

Not exclusively, but small church ministry is where my heart is and where most of my ministry experience lies. Much of what you see in this website will have a smaller church tone and focus.

If you are a mega church pastor in the making (nothing wrong with that), this probably isn’t what you are looking for.

What resources does Align provide?

Broadly speaking, Align is positioned in the ministry transition space for both pastors and churches.

Pastors: You will find support for resume writing, interviewing, and general guidance on navigating transitions to a new ministry. Pastors transitioning out of ministry to secular employment will find resources oriented toward entering the secular workforce.

Churches: Resources focus on the work of pastoral search committees including how to draft a church profile, identifying key interview questions, evaluating candidates, etc.

What is your background?

I have 30 years of experience in pastoral ministry and another 15 years working in “secular” employment — most of them in customer service, staff supervision, workforce development, and career planning.

The ministry opportunities God has given me provide an understanding of the unique challenges and blessings associated with pastoral ministry and ministry transitions. My workforce development and career coaching experience helps with basic elements of career exploration, resume writing, interviewing, follow-up, etc. Align Ministries sits at the crossroads of these two areas of service.

What is the purpose of all this?

The mission of Align ministries is:

To help smaller churches and the pastors who serve them make well-informed ministry transition decisions that will foster God-honoring, long-term, and fulfilling ministry.

The vision of Align ministries is:

Churches and pastors well-aligned with the mission of Jesus Christ, regardless of their size or season of ministry.

Helping smaller churches AND pastors? Isn’t that working both sides of the issue?

That’s the plan!

Does Align provide postings or referrals for possible ministry positions?

No.

What is “Roba Varia?”

Roba varia is Italian for miscellaneous stuff. In this section, you will find:

• • • Sermon outlines
    • Bible studies
    • Ministry templates
    • Ministry-related articles
    • Random thoughts and articles

Cool! Are you Italian?

Nope.

Do you wish you were?

Sometimes.