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Developmental Tasks
of a Congregation in Pastoral Transition
The five items below are the “developmental tasks” of a congregation in
pastoral transition that were first formulated by Loren Mead of the Alban
Institute. When successfully faced they contribute to a healthier future.
Coming to Terms with History:
 | Recognize that
the former pastor has departed and that relationship can no longer
be the same |
| See that this is a good time to come to terms
with elements of history thus far avoided or denied |
| Celebrate and mourn the past to put it in perspective, to claim the learning growth from
those experiences and to prepare for a richer, freer future |
Discovering a New Identity
| Claim a new awareness of
self that is independent of previous pastoral leadership |
| Update our sense of who we are as a changing growing, people of God
in a changing world |
| Seek a renewed vision for the life and
mission of the church |
Allowing Needed Leadership Change
| Recognize that
leadership changes are to be expected and to help them happen
gracefully |
| Allow alternative leadership to come to the fore
constructively |
| Support and nurture growth in old and new
leadership |
Renewing Denominational Linkages
| Look to the
denomination for helpful resources - especially relative to the
pastor search process |
| Make use of the denomination as a spiritual and
practical community of support |
| Make the most of the opportunity to
strengthen mutual bonds of understanding and support |
Committing to New Pastoral Leadership and Renewal of Ministry
| Focus attention on the new possibilities and the faith adventure of
moving into the future |
| Prepare the way for the coming of new
pastoral leadership |
| Move the interim relationship toward
closure and begin to plan specifically for the welcoming of the new
pastor |
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