Before You Move

From discerning one's personal strengths to discovering job opportunities; from researching to interviewing; from the Holy Spirit's guidance to a congregation's call--all aspects of vocational Christian service and ministry transitions are covered in this resource.

“Read this book carefully, but never lend it. There may come a needy night when its wisdom will be for you the only light in a passage of darkness.”

—Calvin Miller, from the foreword

The average senior pastor serves a church for five years. Most youth pastors move every two years. Why do pastors and other ministry professionals change positions so frequently, when experts agree that longer tenures enhance ministry effectiveness? Are there objective criteria that can be applied to transition decisions, or must you simply rely on your sense that “my ministry here is complete”?

In this valuable guidebook, John Cionca provides practical wisdom, evaluative checklists, and specific worksheets to bring some objectivity to your assessment of making a change in ministry. Based on surveys and interviews, along with ten years of experience counseling leaders in transition, Cionca’s advice will prove invaluable in helping you decide if now is the time for a move.

If you are being led to a ministry transition, Cionca provides helpful advice and planning suggestions that will make your move go as smoothly as possible. Before you move, you must read this book.

John R. Cionca (Ph.D., Arizona State University) is the executive director of Ministry Transitions, Inc. He is also professor of ministry leadership at Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. In addition to previously serving in full-time capacities as a youth pastor, minister of education, and senior pastor, he has also written, coauthored, and edited several books.