The Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary has released The Right Start: Beginning Ministry in a New Setting — COVID-19 Supplement. This free guide provides practical advice for pastors ending ministry in one congregation and beginning ministry in another congregation during the COVID-19 crisis.

In late April, the Lewis Center surveyed a trusted group of pastoral leaders and judicatory leaders to gather their ideas and thoughts about making a successful transition in this challenging time. Their recommendations are summarized in the COVID-19 Supplement.

“Many congregants are sheltering in place, many churches have suspended in-person worship, and normal patterns of engagement and activities are disrupted,” says F. Douglas Powe, Jr., Director of the Lewis Center and James C. Logan Chair in Evangelism (an E. Stanley Jones Professorship) at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. “This guide covers the unique implications for pastoral transition in the areas of Leaving Well; Parsonages, Offices, and Moving; Entering a New Congregation and Getting Acquainted; Preaching and Worship in the First Months; and Congregational and Community Financial Stress.

The Right Start: Beginning Ministry in a New Setting — COVID-19 Supplement is available for download free here.

Even in this unusual time, the fundamental practices that make for a good transition are still relevant. To further assist pastors, the Lewis Center is offering its time-tested The Right Start: Beginning Ministry in a New Setting — Pastor’s Version Video Tool Kit download for $25 for a limited time. The regular price is $59. More information and a video preview are available here.