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
John R. Cionca, Before You Move: A Guide to Making Transitions in Ministry. Kregel Publications, 2004. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a valuable treatment of the subject based on interviews with hundreds of ministers and ten years of counseling ministers. It begins by addressing the myth of the greener
Kennon Callahan, A New Beginning for Pastors and Congregations: Building an Excellent Match Upon Your Shared Strengths. Jossey-Bass, 1999. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary The unique contribution of Callahan is his discussion on aiming toward effective matches between ministers and congregations. This includes helpful sections on a new minister’s initial visitation
Michael J. Anthony and Mick Boersma, Moving On-Moving Forward: A Guide for Pastors in Transition. Zondervan, 2007. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is one of the most comprehensive resources on this subject, and unique in the attention it gives to the pre-hire period. It is especially helpful for those whose
Bunty Ketcham and Celia Allison Hahn, So You’re On the Search Committee. Alban Institute, 2005. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a unique contribution to literature on the pastoral search process, addressed specifically to the challenges and opportunities faced by search committee members. From the Publisher So You’re on the
Paul C. Clayton, Letters to Lee: Mentoring the New Minister. Alban Institute, 1999. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary Clayton, a retired minister and seminary lecturer, offers the wisdom of many years of ministry to young ministers in the form of pastoral letters. From the Publisher Each year, hundreds of newly ordained
