Church leaders reflect together on scripture to help overcome five fears of transition

“Every pastor and church in the room has faced this situation — what happens when God calls me to something else or when the church is going through [transition]?” said Aaron Summers, coordinator of Pastorless Churches with the Center for Ministerial Health.

The room was packed for Summers’ Monday morning workshop at the Texas Baptists Annual Meeting titled “When God Calls: Overcoming the Fears of Transition”. 

Summers walked the group through two passages of scripture that illustrate how the Lord responds to five fears that come during transition: Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3 and 4, and Christ comforting and teaching the disciples in John 14.

Fear #1: Inadequacy

“Can I really do this? Is this something I can handle? Do I belong in this position? … The idea of imposter syndrome happens a lot … this is a real thing that we deal with,” said Summers. 

He brought the group to scripture where God promises to be with us and where Christ tells us to not have troubled hearts. He encouraged pastors in times of uncertainty and doubt to lean back on their calling from God. 

He also reminded the group, “If we have zero fear walking in, that is almost as bad as having complete fear going in. There’s a healthy sense of fear you should have because that humbles us and reminds us that we are at God’s calling, not our calling. But we don’t let the fear overwhelm what we do.” 

Fear #2: Ignorance

“There’s three words we have to learn to say: ‘I don’t know.’ I have found over the course of 30 years of pastoral ministry that actually resonates more than making something up off the cuff,” said Summers. 

He reminded the group that God will often give them clarity only for the very next step, not the entire road map. 

“When you don’t know what to do, God is not shaming you for not knowing. He wants you to trust him through that. He invites you to trust what you do know,” Summers encouraged.

Fear #3: Rejection and abandonment

“This sense of abandonment and rejection can be felt throughout the church body when a pastor leaves,” said Summers. “And this is why [people] want quick fixes so bad … but it takes time.”

In the same way, Summers added that it is typical for pastors and their families, even when they know God is calling them and are trusting him deeply, to fear rejection when transitioning to new churches.

“It’s not a popularity contest, it’s a presence assignment,” he encouraged the group. “Faithfulness matters more than the applause … When we begin to focus on what God’s evidence of presence is in our life, suddenly that rejection lessens.” 

Fear #4: Failure

“God’s strength shows best through what you think disqualifies you,” Summers said. “This fear of failure can fade away when we trust the helper more than our own ability. God isn’t asking you to be impressive; he’s asking you to be faithful.”

Fear #5: Responsibility

Summers reminded everyone that they are not alone in their calling and mission. He urged them to delegate tasks and allow God to work through the giftings of other staff and church members. 

“Sometimes we just need to share the strength around and realize that we can’t lone ranger this thing. We’ve got to have others that assist us and help us in the process. Delegation isn’t giving away your calling or position; delegation is simply sharing the burden of responsibility,” he encouraged. 

To learn more about Texas Baptists resources for pastorless churches in times of transition, visit us online here.