Is your church getting a new pastor? Are you moving to a new appointment? Use these books and DVDs to help make a successful transition for you, your church, and your family.
Your Best Move: Effective Leadership Transition for the Local Church by Robert Kaylor
Whether you are the pastor making the move or part of a congregation receiving a new pastor, this book will help pastors and congregations develop an intentional transition plan for those first critical months of ministry together.
Almost There: Searching for Home in a Life on the Move by Bekah DiFelice
DiFelice is a military wife who invites us to build a home that resides in the privacy of our hearts and to put roots down in a God who is unchangeable. United Methodist families can relate to this unpredictability of life.
After the Boxes Are Unpacked: Moving On After Moving In by Susan Miller
Miller helps recent movers focus on letting go of their past, starting over, and moving ahead while discerning God’s will for their family. This evergreen book has been a staple for movers for 20 years and has been extensively refreshed with additional content for today’s movers.
Leadership Directions from Moses: On the Way to a Promised Land by Olu Brown
United Methodist Pastor Olu Brown offers this helpful perspective on what to do when members and church leaders depart your congregation. Using principles from the story of Moses, Brown helps leaders keep their focus on where God is leading no matter what happens.
Next: Surviving a Leadership Transition by Marvin Anthony Moss
United Methodist Pastor Marvin Anthony Moss helped transform a small, dying congregation, and later transitioned into leadership at a nationally recognized, historic congregation. He draws from these experiences and biblical examples to focus on practical principles, empowering the new leader to build a solid foundation.
The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions by Jeff Manion
This small group DVD study provides fresh biblical insight and hope, guidance, and encouragement for people traveling through undesired and difficult transitions. Such times provide our greatest opportunity for spiritual growth.
Nothing is Permanent Except Change: Learning to Manage Transition in Your Life by James E. Miller
This beautiful video uses evocative photography of autumn, winter and spring to illustrate the concept that all human transitions naturally go through a three-phase process. Specific suggestions are included for negotiating one’s way through each phase.
Bonus Podcast
The Leading Ideas Talks podcast just posted this episode on “Leaving Well and Starting Strong: Planning for an Effective Pastoral Transition” featuring Lovett H. Weems, Jr. and Ann A. Michel from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary.
Additional Resources
For more resources to help you begin your new appointment effectively, view our Effective Leadership pathfinder. It includes books and DVDs on leadership in general, church leadership specifically, and lay leadership within churches.
Request These Resources
These resources can be borrowed for free by anyone involved with a United Methodist Church in the North Carolina Conference. We will mail them to your home! All you need to do is fill out the Resource Request Form.