Church in Transition: Reports from Pastor Gerry Teichrob
This Church-in-Transition page is intended to provide updates on the Transition process. Each post will be retained and can be seen by scrolling down the page.
Please particpate in our confidential online Church-in-Transition Basic Level of Health survey. Click here to take survey As of February 15th 391 people have completed this survey.
The Purpose of the Transitional Assessment (posted Feb 15th)
A key step in the Transitional process is the completion of the Transitional Assesment. As an "outsider" I come in and research many areas of church life - ministries, history, patterns, and influential moments. This is all synthesized into a report that attempts to identify the core areas of health and strength in the church, areas that need to be addressed and improved upon, and most importantly, areas that must be resolved prior to engaging in the Pastoral Search. The object is to engage in the search from a place of growing health with clarity of mission and vision. I work with the Board of Elders to create a list of Key Result Areas to be addressed. This list becomes the primary focus of my transitional work. It is also important to share this information with the congregation so that there is understanding of the plan. Our goal is to have the assessment work complete and the agreed upon Key Result Areas in place in early March. Your prayer support for this important work is appreciated.
Long Term Attenders Event - Tuesday January 31st
This event will provide an opportunity for long term attenders of PPAC to share what they believe have been the 5 most positive events in shaping the church and the 5 most challenging events the church has faced in its 35 year history. The information provided will help as we debelop the history of PPAC.
Church in Transition
Peace Portal Alliance Church is currently moving through an intentional season of Transition. This is time between the departure of a Lead Pastor and the arrival of a new one. The church leadership has agreed to puruse an intentional process of working toward a greater measure of church health prior to engaging in the search for a new Lead Pastor. Rev. Gerry Teichrob has been engaged as Transiotional Pastor to lead the church through this process. This page will feature regular updates about the transitional process.
Seven Major Phases of Transition
Our experiences with churches that have successfully navigated through seasons of transition have helped us to understand that there are seven major phases to a healthy transition process. Some phases require more attention than others depending on the circumstances of each church setting. These phases are not necessarily a step by step process, often there is overlap between some of the phases.
Phase | Description |
Regaining Stability
| Dealing with the emergent needs of the church and its ministry in light of the departure of the Lead Pastor. |
Assessment | Exploring questions of church health, vision and self-understanding in preparation for search.
|
Developing a Transitional Plan
| Creating a way to address the health and vision needs of the church while continuing on in ministry while in transition. |
Preparing for the Pastoral Search
| Creating a search team, understanding the process and resources available to conduct an effective search. |
Conducting the Pastoral Search
| Doing the research, interviews, reference checks, candidating and prayerful discernment needed to reach a decision. |
Hiring a Lead Pastor | The steps needed to complete the hiring process and welcome a new Lead Pastor effectively. |
