Dimensions of Transition RIGHT START 2020 AMY THOMPSON, LCSW, LSCSW - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Dimensions of Transition

RIGHT START 2020 AMY THOMPSON, LCSW, LSCSW

You must leave well to start well…

Change Versus Transition

Change is not the same as transition Change is external Transition is internal and happens more slowly

Grief and Loss

• Moving is a tangible loss, allow yourself to grieve
• Honor the process for yourself
• Stages of grief from Kubler-Ross and Rando

Reflection Questions

What will you miss? Identify what you are losing.

Stages of Grief…Kubler-Ross

Reflection Questions

What might it mean for you to enter the painful reality of your losses rather than avoid them? How would it change your prayer life to bring to God what is actually in you and not what you think ought to be in you? In what ways are you tempted to spin or cover over your losses and miss God’s deeper work in you?

Honor the Process

• Saying goodbye
• Important process for you and for those you are

leaving

• Acknowledge the grief of the leaving congregation
• Determine goodbye practices for your family
• Take time to help others understand the process of your

relationship changing due to next appointment

Relationships in the New Setting

Are You Aware Of?

• Reactions of others to change
• Anxiety lives in our world
• Past interactions are in the present interaction
• Making stuff up in your head

Left Hemisphere Right Hemisphere Logical Senses emotions and info from the body Linear Random Linguistic Nonverbal Literal Can put things in context and see the whole picture Senses body information

Connect to Redirect

Connect with the Right

• Acknowledge feelings in

nonjudgmental way

• Act of attunement allows other

person to “feel felt” before trying to solve problems or address situations Connect with Right Redirect with Left Touch Solutions Tone of voice Words Facial expression Planning Empathy Logical explanations Pausing Setting boundaries Redirect with the Left

• Notice a sense of calm then

redirect using logical approach and problem solving

• Dr. Dan Siegel’s work

Positive Intent Principles

• See the best in others
• What you offer to others, you strengthen within yourself
• Attributing positive intent creates opportunities to transform

resistance into cooperation

• People can not behave differently until they are seen differently
• Dr. Becky Bailey’s work

Starting well…

Honor the Process

• Acknowledge the grief and feelings of the receiving congregation
• Acknowledge the grief and loss that you are still working through
• Seek support through a mentor, a coach, a clergy colleague, or

conference staff as you assess the change in role for you

• Small to big church, big to small church, associate pastor to

lead pastor

• Navigating the relationships with retired pastors that may be in

your congregation through direct conversation

Self Care and Boundaries in New Setting

• Use self care skills for physical, emotional and social well being
• Your Schedule
• Spiritual disciplines, personal time with family, Sabbath time
• Communicate with PPR so they can support your schedule
• How will you be mindful of finding balance with your

schedule?

• Plan vacation or time away
• Seek mental health support
• EAP services

https://www.liveandworkwell.com/en/member/benefits/eap.html

Covenant

• Pause…Enjoy a moment of silence.
• Take a few minutes to read the covenant.
• Reflect on the statements that caused you to pause and think easier

said than done.

• Name the resistance or identify the obstacle(s).
• How will you remain mindful of these statements as you

transition over the next few months?

Parting Thoughts for this Transition…

There is unwavering peace today… When an uncertain tomorrow… Is Is tr trusted ed to a an u n unc nchang ngin ing g Go God. d.

• -Ann

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