I am contacted quite frequently be people who have served in one ministry and are now making plans to transition to a different one.  Reasons vary and each situation is likely rather unique. However, generally speaking, I would suggest several things TO DO and several things NOT TO DO.  Today, I will address the latter.  Here are four suggestions:

1. Don’t damage. Quite often, when God begins to move you to a different ministry, your viewpoint begins to change. Your heart begins to move to the new ministry and away from the old one. This scenario provides a ripe opportunity for you to inadvertently, and sometimes purposely, damage the ministry you have been serving previously.  Don’t do it.  “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak . . .” is really good advice to follow during this time.  Don’t damage with your tongue. Speak wisely. Do not share viewpoints that are negative. It is likely that the negatives have been there your entire tenure, but you tolerated them because you were where God wanted you.  Every ministry and every ministry leader has negatives. Don’t allow those to become your focus.  Don’t mention them and don’t discuss them.  Don’t damage with your time.  Invest your time fully in the ministry right up until the day you depart. Trust me, you will always be glad you did and you will also sow seeds that will come to great fruition in the way others will treat you in the future.
2. Don’t discourage. Be careful that you in no way discourage those who have invested in you and who have perhaps even “gambled” on you. Build them and praise them and constantly emphasize their strengths and your thankfulness.   Be careful too that you in no way discourage those who will stay when you leave.  Build and praise the ministry, and again, stay focused on the strengths and not the weaknesses.
3. Don’t diminish. Don’t diminish the  leaders who invested in you. Don’t diminish the staff who will stay behind. Don’t diminish the lessons you have learned.  Don’t diminish the blessings you have enjoyed.
4. Don’t dawdle. During the transition time, work harder than you ever have.  Accomplish more than you ever have.  Do your best to serve faithfully right until the end!

Follow these four steps.  You will be glad you did and others will remember you for your service and not for how you departed!

What do you think?  Would you add other suggestions?   I would enjoy hearing about them.

Thanks for reading,

Dave

Image courtesy of Simon Howden at FreeDigitalPhotos.ne