Welcome to Resolve & Flourish, transitional pastoral ministry, coaching, consulting, and change management for churches and organizations. I’m Steve Coupland, pastor, change management expert, wilderness guide, and transition companion.
Change is a natural part of the life-cycle of churches and organizations. Sometimes we lose key leaders, we get stuck in cycles that keep us from moving, or we lose focus on a clear vision that unifies us, guides us, and propels us forward.
Some organizations choose to go the route of interim or stop-gap support, filling in until a new leader or group of leaders can be found. As an alternative to this route, intentional transitional leadership offers a more purposeful option, seeking to guide the community or organization toward organizational vitality and flourishing for the future.
TRANSITIONAL MINISTRY
Transitional ministry (sometimes called intentional transitional ministry) is an alternative to the classic interim pastor position that churches tend to look for in seasons of change. Below are some of the key factors that differentiate the two approaches.
As you can see, while both roles function in the time and space, the intentional transitional approach is more comprehensive, entering into deeper conversations in an attempt to bring about more substantial closure, seek relationship renewal, help clarify the vision for the future, align structures and ecclesial systems with that vision, build in leadership capacity, and help the leadership discern the next right steps.
FOUR AREAS OF FOCUS
Four areas are in scope during a typical transitional season. These are: 1) renewed spiritual vitality, 2) vibrant community, 3) vision for flourishing, and 4) sustainable structures. Each is described below in greater detail.
RENEWED SPIRITUAL VITALITY
Many churches lose their purpose, distinct calling, or sense of spiritual vitality along the way. Often it is the case that a fresh voice from the outside can ask good questions, offer perspective, explore the church’s distinct history, and help the church rediscover its founding spiritual identity, or help them discover a fresh sense of spiritual identity for the future.
VIBRANT COMMUNITY
We live in a polarized world that pulls is in so many different directions. Entering into transition – foreseen or unforeseen – can exasperate the tensions hidden beneath the surface and create further fracturing of relationships. Through a variety of practices focused on relational mending and conflict resolution, couple with teaching toward peaceful outcomes, we can restore the sense of vibrant community that characterizes a welcoming and healthy church.
VISION FOR FLOURISHING
Vision is often the first thing to fade in a church. This can leave a church without direction or aim. Leaning into practices for communal discernment, we can clarify values and vision together. Values help us answer the ‘why’ question. Vision helps us answer the ‘where’ question. Once we know why we exist and where we are going, a path toward flourishing follows.
SUSTAINABLE STRUCTURES
Crisis is often born out of power dynamics and poor decision making structures. Churches get stuck due to inefficiencies in process. The systems and structures that undergird our churches are often in need of fresh eyes. Good systems promote growth, healthy leadership, and sustainable churches.
