Introducing Transitional Ministry Pathways
The First Presbyterian Church Pontiac Session engaged Transitional Ministry Pathways to walk with us on a journey of discernment and discovery as we work together to discover God’s call for us in this season of our congregation’s life. Over the next year, Transitional Ministry Pathways will guide us in the process of doing our transitional work.
Who is Transitional Ministry Pathways (TMP)?
Transitional Ministry Pathways is a consulting firm led by Co Founders Jan Nolting Carter and Paul Rhebergen, ordained PCUSA pastors. Together, they have 80 years of experience in ministry, specializing in intentional transitional ministry. Jan served 8 churches in intentional transition–large and small; urban, rural and suburban. Paul served 13 different churches in intentional transition in various contexts, specializing in working with churches following conflict and misconduct. Jan and Paul teach transitional ministry to colleagues, coach pastors and work with churches in transition, seeking to create new models of doing the work of transition while responding to the needs of our current church context. For more information about Jan and Paul and Transitional Ministry Pathways, check out their website https://tmpathways.com
What will TMP be doing with us?
Jan and Paul will begin their work with us by getting to know us. Over the next month or two, they will interview congregational leaders and meet with committees. When you receive an invitation for a conversation, we hope you will say, Yes! During the interviews, they will take notes about our responses and will prepare a set of observations and recommendations for the Session. Together, the Session and TMP will identify the issues we need to address during this transition. During the Fall, TMP will come spend a weekend with us in Pontiac. Members will be able to participate in a Saturday Retreat and Sunday worship, dates to be determined. TMP will work with the Session to create a team to guide our congregation’s discernment process. This process will include work with surveys, listening sessions, demographic work, financial assessment and interviews with our community as together we seek to discern God’s call for us in this season of our life together. The team will write a report for the Session, the congregation and ultimately, the Committee on Ministry. The report will identify who we are now, recommendations for our congregation’s next steps, and the characteristics needed in our next pastor.
What can I do now?
The most important thing members of the congregation can do now is to pray for the process. Pray that the congregations’ hearts are opened to the new work that God is doing in our midst. Pray for the Session and church leadership, as well as Transitional Ministry Pathways in this process. Read our continuing updates and respond to invitations to participate.
Finally, stay engaged: continue to be present in worship, be a part of the ministries of the congregation, take part in the interviews that TMPathways will carry out.
This is an exciting time for our congregation as together we engage in the work of transition!