How To Thrive During Transition In Your Ministry

Tim H. Swanson

“We’re in transition right now.” That phrase almost always comes out with the same undertone. It’s the same inflection a person would use to say, “I’m confused, and exhausted.” That’s really how transition makes us feel, isn’t it? Everything goes up in the air. Things we relied on, like our routines and work boundaries, can often vanish, leaving us with the tension of wondering what’s going to happen next. Even when there’s a plan for change, there’s still that nagging concern that asks, “Is this going to work?”

A few years back, I met a pastor who had been in transition for 4 years! I was blown away. He hadn’t had any consistency in 4 whole years. He had been moving from one position to another within his church. And none of the positions were quite right for him. He felt like a fish out of water, and it showed. He seemed worn out. He even confessed to me that he was thinking of quitting.

His story was pretty severe, not all of us end up in periods of transition that last more than a couple years. Most of us either find our groove or quit before we’ve been stuck in limbo for that long. It doesn’t take much transition to burn a person out. And nobody is exempt from transition. 

Right now, I’m in transition with my position at Moon Valley Bible Church. They hired me as a worship leader, but now my supervisor is refocusing my role into service programming, which involves a lot more than music. My evolving role now involves everything that our attendees experience, beginning in the parking lot and ending when they leave. That is way more responsibility than just music. At times it can get a little overwhelming. I’ve definitely felt like I’m gasping for air trying to do this new job.

Fortunately, as I’ve worked toward my new responsibilities, I’ve discovered some great ways to balance the unfamiliar load and avoid transitional burnout. If your position, like mine, seems to be in a liquid state, here are some great methods for keeping your sanity and passion.

1. God’s got your back, so it’s safe to pray in faith. God will, in one way or another, work everything in your life for your good (Rom. 8:28). A great place to start is by asking God to show you what he wants you to get out of the turbulence in your life.

2. Anchor yourself in your dreams. You position may change, but your dreams probably remain the same. What originally drew you to your job? Focus on the passion God put in your heart. The job is just a task. Tasks can change indefinitely, while your dreams remain the same. Look for an anchor in your dreams.

3. Embrace the risk. It’s not always a walk in the park, but risk is good. When the church asked me to begin planning service elements outside of music, it was really scary. Embracing my new role has certainly been uncomfortable. But taking the risk has been worth it. I’m not a great service programmer. I’m not even the best one I know - yet. But I’m outside my comfort zone, which is where real growth happens. Transition is risky, but that risk could very well result in one of the greatest seasons of personal growth you’ve ever experienced.

4. Find a safe place to vent! There’s a really great line in the movie Saving Private Ryan. Tom Hanks’ character, the leader of a small unit of Army Rangers. He explains that complaints go up. (watch the clip here). You shouldn’t vent to other people on your team, and especially not to the members of your church. But mentors, supervisors, or a significant other are great places to let your feelings out. Venting is a valuable tool, because it relieves emotional pressure.

You might not be able to avoid transition. If you work at a church, it’s nearly a certainty. And you may end up in a position that is really challenging for you, but it doesn’t have to spell burnout. Look for ways to embrace the change. With the right attitude, you can do more than survive. You can thrive in transition.

Question: Have you ever been in a role that wasn’t entirely comfortable for you? What was it? What did you do?