Facing a ministry transition?
Did your ministry training include anything about pastoral transitions? Mine didn’t either; and I’ve always wondered why. Maybe it was assumed pastors would stay in their first church until retirement or death. Maybe it is feared that talking about pastoral transitions would somehow tarnish the “high and holy calling” that is often associated with ministry placement.
I get it. Many are afraid that talking about ministry transitions will encourage pastors to leave their church. Personally, I don’t think it has no impact. Talk about them or not, pastoral transitions are going to happen.
Do the math. There are approximately 300,000 churches in the U.S. and the average pastoral tenure for lead pastors is six years. This translates to about 40,000–50,000 transitions take place each year with most of them taking place in smaller churches. It’s time we talked about ministry transitions. Further, it is time we planned for them and improved the processes that shape them. This is what I am hoping PTM can accomplish.
The mission of Pastoral Transition Ministries (PTM) is to help smaller churches and the pastors who serve them make well-informed ministry-transition decisions that foster God-honoring, long-term, and fulfilling ministry.
Who is PTM for?
PTM primarily supports pastors who are actively considering or are currently in the ministry transition process. Pastors who are evaluating whether they should make a ministry transition are encouraged to seek help from a pastoral ministry coach, a trusted friend, or a denominational leader.
Is PTM only for small churches?
Not necessarily. While my heart and experience are rooted in small-church ministry, PTM is open to ministry leadership of any size church. That said, most content on this site will have a small-church focus and tone.
What resources does PTM provide?
For pastors: Assistance with resume writing, interviewing, transitioning into a new ministry, moving from ministry to secular employment, and more.
For churches: Help for pastoral search committees—drafting church profiles, identifying interview questions, evaluating candidates, and more.
What is your background?
I have 30 years of pastoral ministry experience in smaller churches and another 15 years in a variety of secular fields—including customer service, staff supervision, workforce development, and career planning. My pastoral experience gives me insight into the unique challenges and blessings of ministerial service. My work in career planning has developed skills in career coaching, resume building, interviewing, follow-up, and more.
My hope is that Pastoral Transition Ministries bridges these two areas of service. A complete overview of my education, ministry and marketplace experience is located on About PTM.
What is the purpose of Pastoral Transition Ministries?
Mission: To help smaller churches and the pastors who serve them make well-informed ministry-transition decisions that foster God-honoring, long-term, and fulfilling ministry.
Vision: Churches and pastors fully aligned with the mission of Jesus Christ—regardless of size or season of ministry.
Helping both churches and pastors? Does that mean you’re working on both sides of ministry transitions?
That’s the plan!
Does PTM provide job postings or ministry placement referrals?
No.
What is “Roba Varia”?
“Roba varia” is Italian for “miscellaneous stuff.” In this section you’ll find a variety of ministry-related content: sermon outlines, Bible studies, ministry templates, articles, random thoughts, and more.
Cool. Are you Italian?
Nope.
Do you wish you were?
Sometimes.
