Moving On: Grief in Ministry Transitions
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'Moving On: Grief in Ministry Transition' is currently in publication, with final edits.
Endorsements:
“I commend this book as a ministry in its own right – a service for God’s servants so that we may transition better. In Moving On, Silvia Purdie assembles an impressive cast of writers to weave a set of stories, build a treasury of wisdom and provide a toolbox of liturgical resources in order that many aspects of ministry transitions can be engaged with.”
~~ + Peter Carrell, Anglican Bishop of Christchurch
“In this comprehensive overview of ministry endings Silvia Purdie very helpfully addresses the grief and pain experienced by many in ministry transitions.”
~~ Murray Robertson, ex Pastor, Spreydon Baptist Church (now South West Baptist Church), Christchurch
“Moving On presents sage pathways for making room to grieve amidst ministry transitions. Seasoned with the wisdom of first-hand leadership experience, Silvia Purdie weaves perceptive insights, tender stories, spiritual practice, and thoughtful conversations into a real-world guide for attending to the particular ruptures emerging from transitioning ministries.
I commend Moving On to anyone grieving, or journeying alongside those mourning ministry changes, for through this helpful volume you will discover afresh that you are not alone and your grief matters.”
~~ Dwight J. Friesen, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, author of numerous books, including: 2020s Foresight, The New Parish, and Thy Kingdom Connected.
~~ + Peter Carrell, Anglican Bishop of Christchurch
“In this comprehensive overview of ministry endings Silvia Purdie very helpfully addresses the grief and pain experienced by many in ministry transitions.”
~~ Murray Robertson, ex Pastor, Spreydon Baptist Church (now South West Baptist Church), Christchurch
“Moving On presents sage pathways for making room to grieve amidst ministry transitions. Seasoned with the wisdom of first-hand leadership experience, Silvia Purdie weaves perceptive insights, tender stories, spiritual practice, and thoughtful conversations into a real-world guide for attending to the particular ruptures emerging from transitioning ministries.
I commend Moving On to anyone grieving, or journeying alongside those mourning ministry changes, for through this helpful volume you will discover afresh that you are not alone and your grief matters.”
~~ Dwight J. Friesen, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, author of numerous books, including: 2020s Foresight, The New Parish, and Thy Kingdom Connected.
Introducing ...
When a ministry position comes to an end, ministers are expected to make a smooth transition into a new ministry or retirement. However, leaving a church, or other ministry context, creates multiple loss for pastors, and can be deeply painful. Grief may be compounded by other losses, not just for the pastor but also for their family, and especially this involves moving towns. The pain may be complicated by conflict or rejection, and may spark major questions about purpose and identity.
‘Moving On’ explores the dynamics of leaving a ministry position, through a wealth of diverse experiences across a breadth of cultural contexts. Theoretical and theological reflection connect personal story with wider themes. Poetry and pastoral liturgy ground these issues in spirituality. Practical considerations highlight recommendations for church practice.
Ministry transition is explored within a framework of the tasks of grieving. Five aspects of complicated grief in relation to ending a ministry are discussed: (a) multiple loss, described in terms of exile, (b) ambivalent attachment, (c) trauma, especially of being forced to leave, (d) disenfranchised grief and loneliness, and (e) crisis of meaning related to a minister’s sense of call. Personal experience from contributors illustrate and enrich each aspect of grief theory.
Contributors come mostly from within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, and reflect the cultural diversity of this denomination.
‘Moving On’ is a contextual work of pastoral theology. It explores the processes of grief and healing associated with the experience of ending a ministry position. It seeks to highlight the ways in which God is part of these transitions, within biblical terms of reference. It aims to provide a practical and spiritually layered resource for people going through ministry transition, and for the church as a whole.
‘Moving On’ explores the dynamics of leaving a ministry position, through a wealth of diverse experiences across a breadth of cultural contexts. Theoretical and theological reflection connect personal story with wider themes. Poetry and pastoral liturgy ground these issues in spirituality. Practical considerations highlight recommendations for church practice.
Ministry transition is explored within a framework of the tasks of grieving. Five aspects of complicated grief in relation to ending a ministry are discussed: (a) multiple loss, described in terms of exile, (b) ambivalent attachment, (c) trauma, especially of being forced to leave, (d) disenfranchised grief and loneliness, and (e) crisis of meaning related to a minister’s sense of call. Personal experience from contributors illustrate and enrich each aspect of grief theory.
Contributors come mostly from within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, and reflect the cultural diversity of this denomination.
‘Moving On’ is a contextual work of pastoral theology. It explores the processes of grief and healing associated with the experience of ending a ministry position. It seeks to highlight the ways in which God is part of these transitions, within biblical terms of reference. It aims to provide a practical and spiritually layered resource for people going through ministry transition, and for the church as a whole.
Transitions Journal
Click HERE for Rev John Hornblow's insightful manual for journalling through a ministry transition.
John brings a life-time of experience as a business, community and church mentor. He has also served as Deputy Mayor of Palmerston North, and as a priest at All Saints Anglican Church.
John brings a life-time of experience as a business, community and church mentor. He has also served as Deputy Mayor of Palmerston North, and as a priest at All Saints Anglican Church.