By Brent Lacy

A pastoral transition is one of the most significant events in the life of a small church. How a church handles the transition between pastors will significantly affect the health of the congregation and the success of the next pastorate.

Most small churches have never navigated a pastoral transition before. They do not know what to do first, who should be in charge, or how long the process should take. This guide collects everything you need in one place.

Phase 1: The First 30 Days

The first 30 days after a pastor leaves are the most critical. The congregation is grieving, anxious, and looking for leadership. Here is what needs to happen immediately:

• Secure Sunday coverage. Identify who will preach the first Sunday and the Sundays after. This may be a deacon, an elder, a retired pastor, or a guest preacher. Do not leave Sunday morning uncovered.
• Communicate clearly with the congregation. Tell them what happened, what the plan is, and who is in charge during the transition. Silence creates anxiety and rumor.
• Form a pastor search committee. 5-7 members representing the congregation. Not a political compromise. It should be a genuine representation of the church’s diversity and maturity.
• Contact your denomination. Most denominations have resources for churches in pastoral transition, including interim pastor placement and search committee training.

See the full guide: What to Do When Your Pastor Leaves

Phase 2: The Interim Period

The interim period is the time between the departure of the previous pastor and the arrival of the new one. For most small churches, this is 12-18 months. It is not wasted time. It is an opportunity.

During the interim period, the church should:

• Secure an interim pastor for consistent preaching and pastoral care
• Conduct an honest assessment of the church’s health
• Address any unresolved issues from the previous pastorate
• Update outdated bylaws and governance documents
• Build the financial reserve that will sustain the church during the search
• Develop lay leaders who can handle ministry during the transition

See the full guide: The Interim Pastor Handbook

Phase 3: The Pastor Search

The pastor search is the most important work the church will do during the transition. Done well, it produces a pastor who is the right fit for the congregation and who will stay for the long term. Done poorly, it produces another short-term pastorate and another search in 2-3 years.

Key resources for the pastor search:

• How to Run a Pastor Search in a Small Church
• MinistryPlace Jobs Board: free job board for small and rural churches
• The Interim Pastor Guide

Phase 4: Welcoming the New Pastor

The transition does not end when the new pastor arrives. The first year of a new pastorate is critical. How the congregation welcomes and supports the new pastor will significantly affect whether they stay.

Key resources for welcoming a new pastor:

• New Member Assimilation Guide (principles that apply to welcoming a new pastor as well
• How to Celebrate a Pastor’s Anniversary
• Pastor Appreciation Ideas for Small Churches

Free Pastoral Transition Resources

All of these resources are free at MinistryPlace. No email required, no subscription, no catch.

• What to Do When Your Pastor Leaves
• The Interim Pastor Handbook
• The Interim Pastor Guide
• MinistryPlace Jobs Board: free job listings for small churches

If MinistryPlace has helped your ministry, consider supporting MinistryPlace to help keep these resources free for small church leaders.

MinistryPlace has a full library of free resources for small and rural churches. No email required, no subscription, no catch.