Loren B. Mead, A Change of Pastors: …And How It Affects Change in the Congregation. Alban Institute, 2005. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a revision of Mead’s earlier work, A Critical Moment in Ministry. Mead explains why transition periods are ‘extraordinarily pregnant moments,’ full of both positive and negative
Alan G. Gripe, The Interim Pastor’s Manual. Geneva Press, 1997. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This resource is addressed to the polity and procedures of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and based on the assumption that the interim minister and his family will be full-time on location in the interim ministry, but
William O. Avery, Revitalizing Congregations: Refocusing and Healing through Pastoral Transitions. Alban Institute, 2002. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is not a how-to manual, but a detailed retelling of the story of six congregations of different geographies, sizes and ethnicities working through very conflict-ridden pastoral transitions. Avery, a seminary professor,
Edward A. White, Editor, Saying Goodbye: A Time of Growth for Congregations and Pastors. Alban Institute, 1990. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a collection of articles on eight dimensions of ministry terminations: Knowing when it’s time to leave Leave-taking as a time for personal growth How to say goodbye
Lynda C. Ward and Steven P. Brey, Ready, Set, Lead!: The New Pastor’s Guide to Starting Ministry. Abingdon, 2006. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is written primarily for the new seminary graduate or student minister, and is probably one of the most usable volumes of its kind. It is full
Neal O. Michell, How to Hit the Ground Running: A Quick-Start Guide for Congregations with New Leadership. Church Publishing, 2005. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a very thorough guide covering one month before to 18 months into a new minister’s work. It is designed exclusively for Episcopal churches, assuming
Roy Oswald, Running Through The Thistles: Terminating a Ministerial Relationship With a Parish. Alban Institute, 1978. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary It is often said that once you have been with a church for a while, they will remember very little about how you begin your work, but they will remember
Roy Oswald, James W. Heath, and Ann W. Heath, Beginning Ministry Together: The Alban Handbook for Clergy Transitions. Alban Institute, 2003. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is written in a workbook format to address transitions from the point at which a minister announces his resignation to the beginning of a
Lawrence F. Farris, Ten Commandments for Pastors Leaving a Congregation. Eerdmans, 2006. Companion volume: Ten Commandments for Pastors New to a Congregation. Eerdmans, 2006. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary These two companion volumes are excellent. The advantage is that each is written with a different piece of the transition process in
Michael J. Coyner, Making A Good Move: Opening the Door to a Successful Pastorate. Abingdon, 1999. LifeandLeadership.com Summary Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a brief, practical guide for ministers in transition. It breaks transitional tasks into helpful timelines and directive lists for the first weeks, months, and years in
