A couple of weeks ago I spent five days in Arizona being trained to lead churches through times of transition. There are instances when churches can really benefit from an intentional transitional process. The two most common reasons a church needs a transitional pastor is when the church faces a crisis or the exiting pastor has been leading the congregation for a long period of time. In those instances it is often a good choice on the part of leadership to hire an interim pastor for a period of nine to twelve months to lead them through the transition until a new pastor is found.

When I flew out to Arizona to attend the training I was not sure if this was something really suited for me. But I quickly discovered that it seems to be a fit for me. This is not some sort of desperate attempt to find a job. It feels, instead, very much like a calling from God. And that feel of a calling is what I have been waiting for all these months.

Last week I actually received a call to take an assignment in the state of Washington. (By the way, this did not work out but it was an exciting moment none the less!) When I received that phone call explaining the need of the church it felt very much like the same feeling I had the first time I ever stepped into the pulpit to preach. It was a God-affirming moment. There is a feeling that my ship is pointed in the right direction.

It takes time for the right opportunity to open up. It could take months for me to be placed in an assignment. But until that happens I remain ready, willing, and able to be available for God’s leading.