At our first Transitions Team meeting on August 18th, here’s another question we looked at:
“How do we want the actual transition to feel on July 2020?”
By this I wanted us to reflect upon what we wanted the transition to feel like when we arrived at July 1, 2020. How would we all be facing it? What would we feel about it?
Right now, it might feel daunting.
One thing the team spoke about was, “We have done this before!” The team cited the sabbatical I took for three months back in 2016 and how that time of having me gone actually worked well for we worked plenty as a congregation beforehand to prepare for it. I didn’t just disappear for 3 months, but we planned, we talked, we shared fears and doubts and processed our feelings. Because of the work we did, the transition of my departure for that sabbatical went really smoothly. And you as a congregation made this immense discovery that I didn’t have to be around for you to be the church. That’s a huge and helpful discovery.
Truly, you know this, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded of from time to time, this congregation is not about me. It is all about Jesus. We are not here because of Brian Shimer, but because of Jesus Christ. Now, I know, we all know this. We really do. But sometimes we can forget it for I have been His undershepherd among your lives for a decade and that’s a long time! Well, in some ways it is long, but in other ways, it is so brief! Right? But here we are.
This does not discount the fact that we have grown to love one another. Love is real, and it hurts to part and anticipate parting. So, this question, how would we like the actual transition to feel is important. Here’s what the team wrote. They wanted the actual transition, July 1, 2020, to be described by these words:
Love, Smooth, Easy, Exciting, Nurturing, Peaceful, Safe, Supported, Welcoming for the incoming pastor, Joyously anticipated, seamless, Anticipation filled with joy and faith.
To arrive at July 1, 2020 with those kinds of feelings and expressions will take us really processing the feelings that we have about this departure happening. We cannot just deny that July 1, 2020 will be coming and have it arrive and feel “smooth, supported and anticipated.”
Here’s what the team will be speaking about the next time we gather on September 15th.
What is the story arc that we need to tell and be a part of between now and 10 months from now in order to arrive at July 1 able to say goodbye well because we have worked through the grief we feel, the fears we have, the losses we anticipate, the things we have experienced together which have gone well, the things that have flopped, the moments that have raised our hearts, etc. I’ve really be praying about this, wanting to know how to lead effectively so that we can do this work well.
Could you help me out in this?
I would love it if you would just reflect upon the season you have had here since I have been at this congregation as pastor.
What are some of your favorite memories of the time that we have spent together?
What are some of the high points for you?
What are some of the low points? They are important too.
What will you most miss anticipating my departure?
What are you looking forward to the most about a change of leadership? (it’s ok, I don’t believe for a second that I am the end all in leaders!)
What helps you most as you anticipate this shift in life?
How has Jesus most helped you grow in faith these years?
Was there a message that you most remember? (I know, it is like asking you to remember a meal you especially enjoyed.)
What’s an event you still go back to as a turning point in your life?
How has Jesus shifted your heart and grown you up?
That’s a start. Send your thoughts to me shimer7@gmail.com or send them via our Admin Virginia at office@westsidejourney.org
And know this -- we are walking this path together, so stay on the path, keep showing up at worship, show up at small groups, show up at opportunities to serve and let Jesus keep working on your heart as we walk together.