Association of Unity Churches International

Transition Consulting Overview

When, for whatever reason, a ministry has lost the services of its minister there is a need to consider transition consulting. Change is situational. Transitions are psychological. Too often, church leaders fail to create an intentional process that embraces the emotional field of the entire community who undoubtedly needs time to grieve the loss of a beloved pastor or recover from a difficult ending.

You are likely ready for a new ministerial relationship when:

You as a spiritual community are able to look back on your past and feel blessed by all that you have experienced;
As a spiritual community you are clear as to what your church stands for (core values), why your community exists (mission), and you have a clear sense of where your congregation is wanting to go (shared future);
You are clear about what issues and fears are embedded in your church's history that may be inadvertently projected onto the new relationship;
You know the difference between searching for a surrogate parent and a spiritual coach;
And, you are sufficiently practiced and disciplined at the art of Agreeing and Disagreeing in Love (functional dispute resolution system).

The primary goals of transition consulting are:

Create a value for the sacredness of transitions
Enhance the ministry's relationship to the Association of Unity Churches and their region
Provide coaching to the leadership in dealing with organizational challenges
Implement the Making Peace with Our Past process
Initiate I of the Storm classes and book study as a foundation for adopting “Agreeing and Disagreeing In Love” covenants
Conduct the 4 Why's process to identify the church's DNA - Mission, Vision and Values
Review church Bylaws and policies to insure “best practices”
Provide support and assistance in creating a structure for the ministerial search process
Liaison between church leaders and regional and national Association officials

These goals are achieved in collaboration with the transition consultant, regional officials and other support programs and services available through the Association of Unity Churches International.

Transition consulting can provide a dynamic and transformative process for churches in transition (three months following the loss of the minister and before the search process begins). Comprised of three to five on-site visits by a peace worker/transition consultant, the entire church community is guided into a series of transformative events that create a spiritual context within which to understand and appreciate the communal story. The process energies the church community and cultivates an authentic context from which the ministerial search process can unfold.