Negotiating Transition (Part 2) Rev. Gary Crowl
Negotiating Transition (Part 2)
Rev. Gary Crowl
Gary Crowl has served in a variety of ministry capacities since 1979. For eleven years, Gary was a part of the staff at Kenneth Hagin Ministries, serving as an Associate Pastor, Assistant Director of the RHEMA Ministerial Association International, the Dean and an Instructor of RHEMA Bible Training Center. Prior to his service at RHEMA, Gary pioneered and pastored four churches and two bible schools in three different nations of the world. He is a 1979 graduate of RHEMA Bible Training Center and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Church Ministries from Southwestern University.Currently, Gary travels throughout the world, training and educating men and women to discover their purpose in life. Gary’s true passion is focused on providing direction, training, vision, and resources for leaders in unreached nations of the world.
For more information you may e-mail him at office@gcinternational.org.
At some time or another, every minister will experience transition in his or her life or ministry. Sometimes the transition is simply making changes or adjustments to what God has called us to do. At other times, transition can mean a complete change of ministry direction or focus, moving from one phase of ministry to another. Either way, transition in ministry has its own unique challenges that must be identified and addressed if we are to successfully follow God’s plan for our lives.
Transition can be a potentially vulnerable time for a minister because he or she is faced with the prospect of change, which usually requires personal sacrifice and additional commitment. Change also carries with it the concept of the unknown. Even if the minister has received specific direction from the Lord, there is always an element of the unknown attached to that new direction. For example, during a change of ministry there are usually many minor details that are not clearly known. It is the details of the transition that can create mixed emotions and uncertainty.
Sometimes transition occurs because of circumstances that are beyond our control. At that point we must understand that God is never surprised by anything that takes place in our lives. God’s plan never changes for us, even if we experience minor setbacks.
Regardless of why we are in the midst of a transition, there are several things that can help us negotiate the challenges associated with change. In part one, we looked at these areas:
- Remember God has a master plan for your life
- Keep yourself spiritually healthy
- Prayer is not optional
- Stay Practical
In part two, we will cover four more critical areas to consider when facing transition in life or ministry.
Don’t Give In to Peer Pressure
There may be times when family or close friends genuinely question whether you are moving in line with God’s will. It is normal for those who are close to us to be concerned about the decisions we make, especially if it requires a major change or relocation. There is a great illustration of this found in Acts chapter 21. Paul already received clear direction from the Lord concerning his future ministry. However, as he was walking out the plan of God he encountered close friends who were concerned for his welfare. They were so concerned that they pleaded with Paul to not continue on his journey. Acts 21:12 – And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. However, since Paul had already received direction from the Lord concerning future ministry, he was not influenced by genuine human concern. This example reinforces the importance of receiving clear direction from the Lord before making a transition. That inward knowing can be an anchor to our souls especially when pressure from without attempts to influence our commitment to follow God’s will for our lives.
In some cases there is a place for wise counsel concerning the decisions we make. In Galatians 2:2, Paul met with those who were considered leaders in the Church and sought advice concerning what the Lord had called him to do. Paul was not seeking permission to continue his ministry; rather he was seeking agreement and confirmation concerning the message and his ministry direction. The Good News Bible reads – I went because God revealed to me that I should go. In a private meeting with the leaders I explained the gospel message that I preach to the Gentiles. I did not want my work in the past or in the present to be a failure. (Galatians 2:2) We should never come to the place in life or ministry that we are not willing to submit ourselves to wise and appropriate counsel when necessary.
Remember, during a time of transition it is ok to be sensitive to the concerns of your family and friends. Let them know that you appreciate their concern. However, don’t loose sight of God’s plan for your life. Remember God rewards obedience to His word, whether written or spoken. If you honor the Lord, regardless of temporal sacrifices and inconveniences, He will bless you and those who are closest to you.
Focus On What You are Called to Do
Charles Swindoll said, “Many people believe in the adage: If you don’t succeed try something else.”(Living Above Mediocrity) One of the greatest challenges during a time of transition is to stay focused on what God has said to you with respect to your calling. Sometimes it may feel like you are actually going backwards and that everyone else is passing you by, especially if the new direction of ministry is a significant departure from what you were use to doing.
During a recent transition, my wife and I did not have any consistent ministry opportunities in the country where we were living for almost one year. At that time we focused primarily on language and on developing relationships with key leaders. Prior to this transition, it was normal for me to teach or to minister daily, so this was quite a departure from what I was accustomed to. However, as we stayed focused on what the Lord said to us, opportunities began to appear. Now we have several weekly ministry commitments and have to be selective concerning which ones we should pursue.
I have discovered in my own life that once I have received clear direction from the Lord, He may not say anything further about that change of direction until the next step. It is during that time of silence that we must remain focused on what God has spoken to our hearts. We must exercise faith, not only in His written Word but also in His spoken Word to us.
It is also important to not to compare yourself or your ministry with others. There is a temptation to change your approach or ministry focus because others seem to be achieving more results than you. The Bible is very clear on this subject. 2 Cor. 10:12 – For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Remember, during a time of transition; stay focused on what God has spoken to you concerning His plan and purpose. Psalm 32:8 – The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. (The New Living Translation) As we travel God’s pathway for our lives, He will provide for us, protect us, and guide us into a life and ministry of fullness and significance.
Know Your Own Company
In Acts chapter 4 we have a wonderful illustration of the importance of community; the importance of having a church and a ministerial organization that we call home. In this story, Peter and John were arrested and questioned concerning their ministry. Just think about this situation for a moment. Not only were Peter and John subjected to intense pressure from the religious council, they were pressured to change their message and to compromise their calling. Because of their arrest they more than likely experienced some public humiliation and embarrassment. Acts 4:23 says – And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
All too often when people and ministers find themselves in a difficult situation they isolate themselves instead of seeking help and encouragement. When we isolate ourselves we tend to insulate ourselves from wise counsel, from encouragement and spiritual support. Peter and John understood the importance of having a group of people who believed the same way they believed, who prayed the same way they prayed, and who believed in and supported their work for the Lord.
I believe it is extremely important for every person to be connected to a local church and if called to the ministry to be connected to a ministerial organization. It is important to have individuals who can speak into our lives and who can offer encouragement and support when we face challenging situations.
Remember, during a time of transition; stay connected to your own company. Instead of isolating yourself, make it a point to become more committed to your local church and to your ministerial organization. Keep the lines of communication open at all times, especially when you find yourself in the middle of a difficult situation.
Timing is Everything
Timing is everything might sound a little cliché, but it is never more important than during a time of transition. Many individuals have delayed God’s plan for their lives because of improper timing. Some have questioned their ability to hear God clearly because when they acted on what they thought God was saying, nothing seemed to happen.
Most of the time when God speaks to us concerning our lives or ministry He does not give us a detailed calendar highlighting the specific dates of transition. Usually God reveals what He wants us to do but then we must wait in His presence until we know the proper time to act on what He said. It is during this time of waiting that we can become impatient either because of outward pressures or our own need to press forward with our agenda.
Eccl. 3:1 from God’s Word translation reads – Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven: We must understand that God’s timing is interwoven with God’s will. To move out of God’s timing is to move out of God’s will. That is why many people fail or never experience God’s best in life or ministry. You may know what God wants you to do, but even more important is to determine when God wants you to act on what He said.
I remember a great minister once said that he would rather be a few steps behind the Lord rather than moving ahead of His leading. When you are ahead of the Lord you are no longer walking in His light, you are making your own pathway. Unfortunately, we can not see all the pitfalls and difficulties that lay ahead of us, only the Holy Spirit can show us things to come. It is human nature to want to try to help God work out His plan in our lives and ministries. Eph. 6:10 says – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. This scripture implies that we can be strong in our own ability. There is a place for natural wisdom and strength. However, God’s assignment requires wisdom and strength that exceeds what we can produce. The reason many people fail or never do discover God’s best for their lives is because they are attempting to do everything with their own strength and relying too much on their own wisdom. Paul said in 1 Cor. 2:4 – And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: Notice, there is an enticing element that accompanies human wisdom. However, it is only through the Holy Spirit’s ability that true and lasting change takes place.
Remember, during a time of transition; stay steady until you get the proper timing from the Lord to move forward. The Holy Spirit will witness with your spirit when the time is right. Then when you act you will experience the full anointing and blessing of God to accomplish His will.
Transition times can be challenging times. However, when we take time to hear the voice of God clearly speaking to us and follow His pathway, we can be assured that He will lead us into the full counsel of His will and into a life of blessing, fulfillment and significance.
