Transitions

I'm going exploring this coming week. It's one of my big events this sabbatical month.  I'm exploring the topic of transitions.  I think it's a pretty appropriate topic for me both in the small picture and in the big picture.

I'm attending a conference in Chicago called "The Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry."  If you are familiar with what intentional interim ministry is, this is the first seminar in getting certified.  I'm exploring the possibility.  Whether or not I continue toward certification as an intentional interim minister or not, I think every pastor and every church in this day and age is in some kind of transition, like it or not.   So, the question to explore is not whether I want to be a "transitional minister,"   the question is "how will I best minister in the midst of transition?" 

I learned when I was younger that when I travel to new places, I'm not big on the travel style of "if it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium."    If possible, I much prefer finding a "home base" - a bed and breakfast, or a retreat center, or a generous friend or family member with a spare bedroom or couch, and plant myself for my time away.  I then let the Spirit move me, going different places if I want to, or staying in, sleeping or reading if I want to...but just immersing myself in the alternate world of my homebase and letting my exploring or activity (or inactivity) orbit around that one place.

I think that's also my preferred method of dealing with transition. Rather than charting out a linear strategic plan to follow (which has NEVER worked for me), I'd rather enter into a new experience and plant myself, find a home base, and then watch and wait for how the Spirit will move me to explore, to try new things, to learn and grow.  It's kind of a "Spirograph" model of managing transitions!

Are you old enough to remember "Spirographs?"  It was a kids' geometric design toy in the '60s that employed assorted cogged wheels and with holes that you'd put the tips of blue, green or red pens in and spiral them around to create beautiful designs. The combination of wheels, cogs and pen hole positions created the parameters of the design.  But it was your energy that moved the pen and wheels around the parameters. At first it felt like chaos until you got the hang of it, and then you began to see the amazing design emerge. 

What kind of art could we create in our lives if we allowed ourselves to experience transitions from a Spirograph approach?  

(Thanks to whoever created this Spirograph art that I found on Google Images! There's lots more there if you want a little inspiration!)