Before You Move: A Guide to Making Transitions in Ministry - Softcover

Cionca PH.D., John R

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0825423929 ISBN 13: 9780825423925

Publisher: Kregel Publications,U.S., 2004

Synopsis

The average tenure for senior pastors is five years, while most youth pastors remain at their jobs less than two years. Why do pastors change churches so frequently when church analysts agree that longer tenures enhance ministry effectiveness? What prompts them to move and is every move a right one? How can pastors adequately assess their situation in order to make wiser choices when considering a change? How can they make necessary transitions as smoothly as possible? These and other practical questions are addressed in this valuable guidebook for ministry leaders. Based on surveys and interviews with hundreds of pastors, as well as ten years of experience counseling leaders in transition, Dr. Cionca provides a compendium of wisdom for those considering or entering a ministry transition. Topics include: the myth of the greener grass, lack of clarity regarding the will of God and call to ministry, unrealistic expectations on the part of the pastor and/or the people, and a lack of self-awareness and healthy evaluative feedback.Practical advice that applies to every vocational ministry leaderSpans transitions from those considering ministry to those preparing for retiremenAuthor has both personal experience with ministry transitions and ten years of counseling others in the midst of similar situationsFeatures real life stories, charts, worksheets, and evaluative checklists

About this title

Review

"I was very disappointed when [the original] edition went out of print for I shared it with many pastors seeking to discern God's leading in their lives. Calvin Miller in his forward states, 'Read this book carefully, but never lend it. There may come a needy night when its wisdom will be for you the only light in a passage of darkness. . . .' Well, I did lend mine out, and it took almost forever to get it back. I am not lending out this new [revised and expanded] edition so you better go out and buy one. When you call and ask for assistance in knowing whether it is time to go or stay, I will say to you, 'Did you read Before You Move?'" -- Maynard Belt "Michigan Association of Regular Baptist Churches" (11/08/2005)

Edition details

• Publisher: Kregel Publications,U.S.
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0825423929
• ISBN 13: 9780825423925
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 246