TRAINING TRANSITIONAL PASTORS
Background understandings for the Amigo Transitional Pastors Training

 Assumptions:

1. Transitional ministry is a specific field within the broad context of pastoral ministry. It requires unique gifts and qualities and specialized training.
2. It is both possible and expedient to assess general potential for effectiveness in transitional ministry in advance of training.
3. Transitional ministry skills and methodology will increasingly be recognized as paradigmatic for 21st Century pastoral leadership in all congregations.
4. We assume candidates enter this training with adequate preparation for pastoral ministry. In general, the trainers believe that transitional ministry is not the best place for initial development of ministry gifts and pastoral identity. 
5. Transitional ministry requires a blending of three resources: left brain (rational thought), right brain (creative process), and Holy Spirit empowerment.
6. It is likely that many of the students who participate in this training will not be in a transitional assignment when they begin the training. The trainers will be flexible to accommodate a range of situations.

 Objectives for the training: 

1. Identify potential candidates for transitional ministry. 
2. Prepare transitional pastors to function with competence and confidence in transitional ministry contexts.
3. Instill the values of continuing education, support and accountability, which are essential for effectiveness in transitional ministry.

 Educational Philosophy:

1. This program integrated classroom and experiential learning.
2. Self-awareness is an essential component for effective transitional ministry; it is therefore an integral part of this training process.
3. The student takes initiative in consultation with trainers to shape personal learning goals for the time after the training.

Curriculum:

  Phase I    Assessment (Prior to Amigo Training Event)

1. Registration requires a letter of recommendation for training from a conference minister, and the completion of a two-three hour interview prior to Phase II. The individually arranged interview attempts to determine the extent to which the candidate has specific characteristics which will contribute to effectiveness as a transitional minister. Interview questions elicit specific behavioral examples from a range of the candidate's life experiences.
2. Results of the assessment are interpreted to the candidate, who uses this heightened self-awareness to develop and sharpen questions for discernment in Phase II and learning goals to accomplish in Phase III.
3. The process can identify the rare candidate who should not be encouraged to pursue transitional ministry, or should be encouraged to gain further experience, competencies, or resolution of issues prior to transitional ministry training or assignment.

Phase II (2 day Amigo Training Event)

Phase II integrates an overview of and introductory teaching about transitional ministry with personal self-awareness processes. The intended outcome of this phase is greater understanding about one’s makeup as related to the nature and demands of transitional ministry. Instruction includes a framework for understanding pastoral ministry and leadership in the contemporary context as a foundation for the unique aspects of transitional ministry.  There will be assigned readings to prepare for this phase.   

 Phase III (3 day Amigo Training Event)

In depth instruction in the developmental and process tasks of transitional ministry is integrated in this phase with critical incident case study triads.  Specific resources for transitional ministry are provided. The phase concludes with the development of learning goals and ongoing accountability and support structures for Phase 5. 

Phase IV   Coaching & Support (ongoing)

Students enter or continue in transitional ministry contexts and ongoing coaching and support structures. Ideally this would include participation in regional transitional ministry support groups which meet at least quarterly. 

Gary Martin and Cliff Brubaker   SUMMER 2011