Pastors In Transition

Many blessings on your church and your community as you enter a time of pastoral transition. Below are some links, resources, and information to assist pastors, leadership teams, and Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committees as you journey through this season of simultaneously saying “goodbye” and “hello” to your pastors.

PASTORAL TRANSITIONS RESOURCES

The Arkansas Conference has created downloadable tools to assist in clergy transitions.

2024 Appointment Transition Information (PDF)
These policies are provided by the Cabinet to assist in the maintenance of consistent, uniform and fair expectations for all the churches and clergy of the Arkansas Conference who are experiencing a move this year.

Critical Questions During a Transition (PDF)
This question bank is designed for transition conversation meetings between the incoming and outgoing pastors, along with key lay leaders, such as the S/PPRC Chair. Additional discussion questions have been added to help pastors transition to a new church during COVID-19.

Checklist for Pastors in Transition (PDF)
This list is not meant to be exhaustive, and not every church will have every item available, but this list will help you begin to gather the information that will help the new pastor during the transition. Additional items have been added for the unique circumstances of COVID-19.

Annual Timeline for S/PPRCs (PDF)
This timeline shares expectations for the appointment/assessment cycle and suggests topics of discussion for a full year of monthly S/PPRC meetings.

ARUMC Pastoral Transition Covenant (PDF)
This covenant was approved by the 2014 clergy session of the annual conference and shares expectations that clergy should have of one another during an appointment transition.

Pastor’s Moving Expense Form (PDF)
This form provides for the reimbursement of moving expenses for pastors either within, moving into or moving out of the boundaries of the Arkansas Conference. The form for anyone moving for the 2024-2025 appointment year will be held until after Annual Conference.

GCFA-recommended Moving Service that offers discounts for UMC clergy (PDF)
Interested clergy will need to fill out the form and email to the address listed or call the number provided and mention they are with the UMC. Please note: the question asking if this move will be billed to GCFA should be answered “no” because local church moves are the financial responsibility of the clergyperson.