Can Clarity Coaching help your newly called Pastor make the transition easier?
Your opinions on these statements will help discern if a coach would benefit your church. Select the response that you feel best describes your congregation. Begin each statement with, "In my congregation…" |
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| 1. Most everyone agrees about the pastor's role and specific duties. | Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
| 2. The past pastor was well liked and highly respected. | Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
| 3. Pastors are very much appreciated and valued. | Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
| 4. There is no history of conflict on the church staff. | Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
5. Change occurs frequently and people quickly adjust. |
Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
6. Part of our culture includes open conversations about controversial topics. |
Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
7. We use a fair and objective process to evaluate the pastor. |
Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
8. We've had extensive discussions with the new pastor about controversial subjects. |
Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
9. The expectations for the pastor are realistic and well defined. |
Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
10. The lines of authority between the pastor, staff, and board are well understood. |
Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
11. Agreed upon, written, guidelines are used to settle any dispute or conflict. |
Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
12. There are no significant challenges waiting for the new pastor to address. |
Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
13. Our mission is well defined and widely understood. |
Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
| 14. The past pastor has already relocated. | Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
| 15. There is no history of betrayal by leaders. | Agree | Uncertain | Disagree |
What Does it Mean?
If all of your answers are in the “agree” column then your congregation is fortunate. However, if even a few of your responses fall in the other columns, these are areas that should be addressed early in the pastorate. Here’s where significant conflict will develop within the next two years. Coaching heads off these issues before they create misunderstanding within the congregation. How does coaching work? By working to provide clear answers in the areas of possible confusion. For instance is a past pastor still on the scene? Why not create an agreement delineating the role that person will or will not play? This is a simple, direct and effective way to address an issue that can create a great deal of misunderstanding. Who can oversee this process? An objective, outside party is best suited to handle this discussion.
These statements about your congregation reflect numerous, complex issues that may not have been adequately clarified. That is why the involvement of a coach is essential. Remember, a newly called pastor is doing a full time job, adjusting to a new location and is engaged in a steep learning curve. The pastor is vulnerable to getting “blindsided” by the implications of any of these statements. Too often issues are put off or dismissed as unimportant only to undermine the new pastor.
Who benefits through a coaches involvement? The pastor is assured that potential problems will be addressed. The nominating committee will have fulfilled their responsibility to support their candidate. But ultimately it’s the congregation that benefits most. When there’s misunderstanding the congregation suffers the adverse effects.
How Clarity Coaching Helps: Transition Coaching
Clarity Coaching joins with the pastor nominating committee and the new pastor during their initial three months to address the issues identified as significant for your congregation. The issues will determine the coaching needed. Each of these statements requires a specific intervention which the coach will direct. Further, Clarity Coaching guarantees their results. If the church board is not completely satisfied with the support they've received, their coaching fees will gladly be refunded.
A pastoral transition is an exciting time but also one filled with hazards. Smooth transitions require the utmost consideration. When ships enter a port the assistance of a harbor pilot is required. Much can go wrong in the unique and congested setting of a harbor, with devastating consequences. Like a harbor pilot helping guide a ship to dock, transition coaching assists in making a secure connection between pastor and congregation.