|
| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/7/2007 7:37:35 AM
Posts: 1, Visits: 2 |
| My wife and I are leaving youth ministry. We're going with the blessing of our congregation to plant a new church. The question is, what should I do just before I go? I want to leave my students and my volunteers as healthy as possible. How can I ensure the best possible transition from me to the next pastor?
Dustin |
| |
| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/25/2007 11:03:00 PM
Posts: 2, Visits: 4 |
| There are a couple of things you could do (if you find them helpful!):
1. You could try putting together a "Handover Package" for the next pastor (if they aren't already with you). In it, you could put:
- the names and contact details of all your volunteers, so that the newcomer knows straight away who's in which group and what their responsibilities are
- an outline of the kinds of programs you've been running, curriculum you've used already, etc. When we started our current position, the previous pastor handed us some large folders with rosters, schedules, letters, emails, attendance records, examples of outing permission notes etc. It really helped us to hit the ground running, so to speak!
- strategies that have worked with your kids, and lessons you've learnt during your time there. If the new youth pastor knows where you've been, they can avoid re-inventing the wheel.
2. It can be a time of enormous upheaval for the people "left behind", so there are a couple of things you could try to help ease the transition:
- make sure they know that you're thankful for their efforts and that they haven't been working in vain. I don't know how many volunteers you have, but something like a thanksgiving meeting/lunch/BBQ could help them to know that you've appreciated their efforts.
- help to empower your volunteers to see that the work will continue without you - it's God's work, after all!
- you might be surprised at how quickly they adjust to your absence. We recently had a staff member move on, and I was amazed at how short the mourning period was after they left. Your volunteers will adjust better to the new situation if you can make a clean break - don't encourage too much contact after you move. There have been all sorts of problems caused when previous pastors stay too involved during the "teething period" when a new pastor arrives. From the sound of it, you're going to be pretty busy in your new place, anyway! |
| |
| | | 
Forum Expert
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/25/2008 1:52:34 PM
Posts: 2,250, Visits: 9,830 |
| | Both points are excellent and very wise. I implemented both when I left my previous church and handed over Youth/Children Ministries. A couple of other points which I shared with my previous group were... 1. Encourage them to work "with" the new pastor. To give him the same attention and respect they did to you. Remind them that in doing so they will be in obedience to the Lord and they will experience even greater times. 2. That he will NOT be filling in your shoes. He has a direct and distinct call of the Lord to lead them and therefore may have some different approaches. Remind them that change is good if the Lord is involved. 3. And finally, tell them that from time to time you will be contacting the new pastor to see how they are doing. Tell them to make your investment in their lives worthwhile by making you proud. I still have youth from my old church writing me and thanking me for advising them in this manner! 
 |
| |
| | | Forum Expert
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 8:55:35 PM
Posts: 157, Visits: 1,211 |
| | If there will be a transition period before a new pastor arrives you could help the volunteers plan that interim period so they have something ready to go, doesn't require a lot of prep work, and keeps the ministry going during the transition. Some how prep/encourage the volunteer to let the new person do it their way when they come. I have seen problems when a new youth pastor comes in and volunteers have been running the program. Sometimes they feel ousted or not ready to give up control. Rachel
|
| |
| | | Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/27/2008 8:50:11 PM
Posts: 26, Visits: 26 |
| | |
| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/20/2007 11:36:20 AM
Posts: 5, Visits: 5 |
| Just a suggestion: Make sure, whatever you do, that the youth that you're leaving know that it's not their fault you are leaving
Also, make a clean cut
and I agree to leave projects, trips, or if it's in summer, a whole summer calendar of things for them to do with the help of their volunteers.
 |
| |
| | | Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/27/2008 8:50:11 PM
Posts: 26, Visits: 26 |
| | |
|
|