“Pastor, I got a job in another city. We’ll be moving in a month.”
“As our family is growing, we just put a down payment on a house in the suburbs. Can you help us find a church out there?”
“This city is too expensive. We’re looking for a more affordable living situation.”
“Graduation is in May, and I’ll take a job anywhere I can find. It’s unlikely that it’s going to be here!”
I pastor a transient church. Seemingly every week, I hear that yet another member plans to move. Many members are here for one-to-three years. In extreme cases, we have members join us for a month or two, then a job opportunity arises, and they’re gone. More common is the couple who recently joined our church and told us during the membership process they’ll only be with us for two years because they already have a job lined up elsewhere.
Unique Challenges
Transiency comes with challenges. Let me mention five.
1. It’s Hard to Say Goodbye
Goodbyes are always difficult, but especially church goodbyes because you will no longer be in covenant together. Texts and phone calls are no substitute for church life experience.
2. It’s Hard
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