Missionary Renegade: Leading Ideas: "Four Key Challenges in Pastoral Transitions | Why First Impressions Really Do Matter" Lewis Center for Church Leadership of The Wesleyan Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., United States SUBSCRIBE | Topics | Authors

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Leading Ideas: "Four Key Challenges in Pastoral Transitions | Why First Impressions Really Do Matter" Lewis Center for Church Leadership of The Wesleyan Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., United States SUBSCRIBE | Topics | Authors | Reprints for Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Leading Ideas: "Four Key Challenges in Pastoral Transitions | Why First Impressions Really Do Matter" Lewis Center for Church Leadership of The Wesleyan Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., United States SUBSCRIBE | Topics | Authors | Reprints for Wednesday, May 10, 2017

From the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary

Why First Impressions Really Do Matter by Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
Lovett H. Weems, Jr., says people's first impressions are often shaped by assumptions and stereotypes, and the early information we get about a person influences how we interpret and remember later information -- our minds default simply because in dealing with so much input our minds defaults to cognitive shortcuts.

One spring day a few years ago, a graduating student stopped by my office to tell me that he had just learned of his first appointment as a United Methodist pastor. He was being sent to three churches that had been separate appointments, but due to decline, were now forming a multi-church pastoral charge with one pastor. He was preparing to travel to his home conference for his introductory meeting with leaders from the churches and the district superintendent. His excitement surrounding forming first impressions was high.
When he returned, I asked how things had gone. He thought they went well. Then, a few days later, he returned to my office quite concerned. He had heard that the church members were resisting his coming as their pastor.
Numerous experiments show that we all use inadequate shortcuts to shape initial judgments. To ignore this reality can be as harmful as ignoring any other factor in a leader’s context.
Here’s what had happened. During the introductory session, the district superintendent reported a savings of several thousands of dollars with the three churches coming together, and they would need to consider how those funds would now be used. To that, the seminary student had said with a laugh, “I guess you’ll have to add it to the pastor’s salary.” He thought no more about it.
Apparently, the members took from that statement that their proposed new pastor was interested only in money and his personal advancement. In truth, that was not at all the character of the student as we knew him. He was actually quite humble, and his identity was not about status but service. The fact was he was nervous and, trying to be funny, said something that was misinterpreted. He returned for another session. They gave the new pastor a chance, and all went well.
Cognitive Shortcuts
How do such things happen? How can people be convinced they are right about something based on such limited information? It happens all the time, and you and I are as guilty of it as the members in these churches. Here’s why.
We are all “cognitive misers,” a phenomenon studied by psychologists Susan Fiske and Shelly Taylor. In describing their findings, Heidi Grant Halvorson (No One Understands You and What to Do About It, chapter 2) describes our tendency to think only as much as we must and no more because so much is going on around us. Therefore, we trade speed for accuracy in our judgments. There are favorite shortcuts we use to avoid the time and careful analysis required to make more objective assessments. Some of these include assumptions, confirmation bias (we see what we expect to see), stereotypes, past experience, and “the primacy effect.”
First Impressions Really Do MatterThe primacy effect means that the early information we get about a person influences how we interpret and remember later information. That’s why it is absolutely true that you never have a second chance to make a first impression. In the case of the seminary student, had his off-hand comment been made three years later, after people had a myriad of different experiences with him, it would barely have been noticed. However, a new person is a blank slate, so anything said at the beginning explodes to fill the entire slate.
So, what does this mean for a leader entering a new situation? Recognize that people will make judgments based on what is most apparent, even if they are as open-minded and fair-thinking as we believe we are. We do it all the time, even when we think we do not. All that we bring to those first encounters — attitudes and feelings about gender, race, accent, stature, education, appearance, dress, and other factors — will shape various impressions that “cognitive misers” use to get a take on a new person. Yes, this includes stereotypes, confirmation bias, and past experience. It’s not a pretty picture, but neither should it be a shock. Numerous experiments show that we all use inadequate shortcuts to shape initial judgments. To ignore this reality can be as harmful as ignoring any other factor in a leader’s context. We can regret it while still understanding the reality.
If you are responsible for assessing someone new and think your first impressions are purely objective, consider this. Those who selected musicians for symphony orchestras were convinced that their selections were based strictly on the quality of the applicant’s performance and nothing else. But, when there was a curtain between the musician and the judges, the percentage of women selected increased dramatically.
All of us are cognitive misers. There is simply too much all around us for anyone to receive information in a totally objective manner. So it is wise to be careful and attentive to this dynamic, to share differing perspectives within a community of discernment, and to be willing to revisit our first impressions.
Related Resources

How to Make a Good Entrance by Hannah Adair Bonner
50 Ways to Welcome a New Pastor, a free Lewis Center Resource
The Right Start: Beginning Ministry in a New Setting Video Tool Kit

Four Key Challenges in Pastoral Transitions by Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
What challenges are most commonly faced when pastors moves from one ministry setting to the next? Lovett H. Weems, Jr., says four key challenges are dealing with family and emotional issues, paving the way for one's successor, understanding the culture of the new ministry context, and saying goodbye in a way that provides closure.
Despite the prevalence of pastoral moves, often little time is spent reflecting on all the issues at stake for many people during such transitions. A few years ago United Methodist district superintendents were asked to reflect on their years of moving to new appointments as well as their experience in observing other pastors make such transitions. They helped identify four key challenges faced in pastoral transitions.
Everything possible should be done to pave the way for a successful transition in the church from which a pastor leaves and for the continuation of ongoing ministries in the new congregation.

1. The Personal Challenge: Dealing with Family and Emotional Issues
Family adjustment, spouse employment, and issues related to children are paramount. There is a need to find appropriate ways for the pastor, family, and congregation to express their feelings, including the grief that inevitably is present — even when the congregation and/or the pastor are pleased about the move. This transition includes letting go of important relationships. For some, it also includes letting go of past hurts. Just at the time when these emotional strains are so real, there are the pressures of adjusting to a new community, congregation, schools, doctors, and other new colleagues and friends. Without adequate rest, spiritual renewal, and support, these challenges will prove immensely more difficult. With attention to these essentials, a move can become a fulfilling time for all.
2. The Professional Challenge: Enabling a Smooth and Positive Transition
The pastor leaving will set the tone for how the new pastor is received. Differences of personality or theology that distinguish the new pastor from the old should not interfere with the manner in which the departing pastor helps prepare the way for the new pastor. The same is true for dealing with one’s predecessor at the new congregation. Congregations, specifically the staff parish relations committee, can be helped to prepare for a new pastor. A pastor’s feeling of grief in leaving or loneliness in the new setting should not cloud dealings with successor and predecessor. Everything possible should be done to pave the way for a successful transition in the church from which a pastor leaves and for the continuation of ongoing ministries in the new congregation.
3. The Leadership Challenge: Understanding a New Church and Community
Things taken for granted after years of interaction in one church and community must now be relearned in a new setting. Learning to “read” the history, traditions, and culture of a new context is the primary challenge in the first year or so in a new church. This also gives the new congregation a chance to “learn” the new pastor. In both cases, imperfections will be spotted quickly; discovering each other’s strengths will take much longer. Your “job” as pastor may be similar from church to church, but the leadership assignment in a new congregation, in all likelihood, will be very different given the new circumstances. Merely doing what one has always done normally is inadequate when a leader changes from one context to another.
4. The Congregational Challenge: Closure and Saying Goodbye
Saying goodbye to the pastor leaving and hello to the new pastor should not be left to chance. This is a time of major transition in the lives of many people. As such, it needs to be handled with care, sensitivity, and sufficient spiritual depth and ritual. Special attention to the needs of children and youth may be particularly significant in some congregations. Lack of proper closure can hamper ministry for a long time. A pastor’s ability to express genuine love for a congregation and, at the same time, make clear the new relationship of former pastor will do a great service to self and congregation. A congregation’s ability to express profound appreciation for the years of service by a pastor and, at the same time, release that pastor for new ministry and welcome their new pastor with open arms will make effective ministry more likely for all involved.
Related Resources

The Right Start: Beginning Ministry in a New Setting Video Tool Kit.
How Incoming Pastors Can Navigate the Changeover Zone by Jim Ozier
50 Ways to Improve Pastoral Transitions, a free Lewis Center Resource

Read more.
The Right Question
Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.
Getting started in a new role or place can be a challenge for leaders. While you want to respect current practices, you also want to use this moment as a chance to encourage creative alternatives. Terry J. Fadem suggests these questions.

How does this work?
What do I need to know about this now that I'm here?
Who else might be able to help us?
How has this problem been resolved before?
Who has the most experience tackling this problem?

Want more Right Questions? Read Right Questions for Church Leaders.

50 Ways to Improve Pastoral Transitions
Pastors moving from one church to the next need to focus on how they can effectively conclude their ministry in the church they are leaving, paving the way for their successor, and on how they can get off to a good start in their next church. "50 Ways to Improve Pastoral Transitions" offers tips on concluding ministry in one setting and beginning ministry in a new one.
Learn more and download free.

Learn 50 Ways for Your Congregation to Welcome a New Pastor
If a new pastor is in your congregation's future, be sure to check out "50 Ways to Welcome a New Pastor," prepared by Bob Crossman. This free resource shares tips on how to say goodbye to your current pastor in a healthy way and offers helpful advice on how to welcome your new pastor.
Learn more and download free.
Quotable Leadership:
It is impossible to overstate the importance of the leader to the high performing organization.[Paul C. Light]