SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
TRANSITIONS IN RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP

NOTE: This session was first used at a joint meeting of ministers and religious educator in the Northeast District in December 2005.

Opening Words (By the facilitator, in unison, or reading around the group)
For everything there is a season and a time for every position under heaven.
A time to dream and a time to be concrete,
A time to prepare and a time to reflect,
A time to inquire and a time to wait,
A time to time to stay and a time to leave,
A time to greet and a time to grieve,
A time to give and a time to receive,
A time to learn and a time to teach,
A time to cause change and a time to let things settle,
A time to minister and a time to be ministered to, 
A time to be a neophyte and a time to be the sage.
For everything there is a season and a time for every position under heaven.
						Rev. Helen Zidowecki

Check in:  How are things for you today? 

Activity/Topic

Consider the current or recent transition to a new position or setting. If the transition was smooth, what made it so? If it was not smooth, what were some of the factors?

What are the opportunities and challenges of such transition for the religious leaders and congregations (namely ministers and religious educators)?

What impact do you personally have on the transition process for yourself and others?

How does transition affect your sense of your professional role? Your spiritual journey?

What words of wisdom do you have regarding transitions of religious leadership?

Closing:
All things rush on,
 they stop not, 
they look not behind, 
no power can hold them back,
 they rush on. 
(From Fearful Joy, #612 in Singing the Living Tradition, Rabindranath Tagore)