8 Traits of A Healthy Transition

I shared some thoughts with out team tonight about the current season we are in as a church. Here are my raw notes:
1. Sensitivity To The Spirit
The tendency in transition is to lose sensitivity to the spirit. We must prioritize and protect our passionate pursuit of the the presence of God during the seasons where it’s even harder to hear from Him. Sensitivity should not be contingent on our stability. We must be faithful even when our future is fragile. We must be steadfast even when our situation is shaking. Losing our ability to sense God is when we start making non-sense happen in our own efforts. I refuse to allow a little bit of instability rob my heart from its sensitivity. Usually we try and force something into our future that God does not want for us because we lost sight of our sensitivity. I pray more when I am uncertain of our churches future, not less.
2. Commitment To Our Culture
Our culture is a set of distinctive behaviors and attitudes that are unique to our church. Some might call it a churches DNA. We have to commit ourselves to not take any steps back in regards to our church culture during transition periods. We can’t sacrifice culture on the altar of cost or convenience. Our short time at the country club has proven that culture is critical when it comes to gathering as a congregation.
3. Chemistry Within Our Community
Relationships are what fuel church retention. I have rarely met someone who stayed at our church for a long period of time that hasn’t made a friend or two. I would even say that much of the common thread with many people who leave Focus is a lack of connection within our community. Leaders should make every effort to create environments that foster relationships during this season of transition. I will move buildings as long as all of my friends are going too. One downside to this is that when someone with a relational capacity leaves, so do all their friends.
4. Framework For Our Future
Our future needs a framework. We need to know that even though there a season of transition upon us, we can be certain there is a greater future ahead of us. During the seasons of uncertainty, it is vital that we look the vision that got us to this point. A future with a framework is flexible at certain times when things change, but solid at its base. The foundation of our future can be found in our five year plan. There is still a lot of work to be done on framing out our future but I can tell you this:
- We are called to be a church for the whole family.
- We are called to prioritize the preaching of God’s word.
- We are called to establish a distinctive sound through our worship.
5. Consistency In Our Communication
Communication is everything during a season of transition. We need to be over communicating the details as they arise. We must be diligent in our pursuit to include more people than ever on our process and our plan. Transition is not a time to be secretive or selective. It is a time to be intentional, but also public, with how and when things get communicated. Teams of volunteers need to be communicated with, leadership needs to be communicated with. During this season communication needs to be clear and consistent.
6. Frequency In Our Feedback
Soliciting feedback is critical during transition because now is the time to implement change. There is a forced break in what we used to expect and experience. Taking that forced break and soliciting feedback is critical. Now would be the perfect time to change anything about what you do that you currently don’t like. It is the perfect time to make adjustments to environments, and to ask people who contribute what they would like to see improved. One thing I learned is that in transition things are going to change anyways, might as well change the things that people want to see changed.
7. Loyalty From Our Leadership
If anyone is questioning their commitment to the church, it is totally understandable, but wavering leadership is contagious. This season requires a special level of loyalty. Notice that it is not loyalty to our leader, but loyalty from our leaders. The difference is, you are staying faithful to the vision and mission that has not changed, instead of moving on due to minor circumstances that have changed. Transition requires loyalty to the church. Once the dust settles and the organization is back on its feet, I would then allow for a time of reevaluating your commitment level. But during transition, loyalty is critical.
8. Simplification Of Our Systems
Simplifying that which over time became complex and confusing is one great benefit of this transition. We need to take a long look at the ministry we provide and really simplify all that we offer. Complexity connects itself to comfort in an organization. As a church grows it becomes less clear and more complex and there is not a better time than in transition to simplify that which might not need to be so complex. We do this by analyzing the processes we have in place, the steps it takes to be involved, and the results we are seeing in our current format of ministry.