Top 5 Questions for the Transition Team

The dawn of a new year brings us all renewed opportunities to hope and dream about what the next twelve months will bring. As a Convention, we are dreaming about what our shared ministry will look like and the beginning of 2012 begins a transition period as we move towards the vision we believe God is leading us into. As any church has experienced, the process of transitioning to something new can lead to some bumps in the road. This being said, as a Convention we are diligently working at making this transition as smooth as possible.

We currently have a four member Transition Team in place to assist churches and pastors with needs and requests that would have normally been forwarded to the Regional Ministers. Working closely with the Executive Minister, the team consists of Dr. Malcolm Beckett, Rev. Jerry Horsman, Rev. Greg Jones & Rev. Elias Mutale. There will also be a new administrative assistant working with the Transition Team who will be available to answer your inquiries and direct you to the right person. Also, in order to extend the impact and reach of the four member Transition Team, we will be recruiting and training volunteers early in 2012. These individuals will be available for the Transition Team to call upon in assisting and supporting churches and their leaders.

So, what do you do with your questions you previously took to your Regional Minister? Questions such as:

• “I’m a pastor considering a move – who can help me?”
• “We’re a church looking for a pastor – who can help us?”
• “I’m a pastor facing a crisis – who do I call?”
• “We’re a church in need of direction & vision – what resources are available?”
• “I’m available for pulpit supply – who do I tell?”

The easy answer is to first contact the administrative assistant for the Transition Team after January 1st at our office by phone (506-635-1922) or by email (transition.team@baptist-atlantic.ca). This person will be in place early in the New Year. From there, they will direct your request to the appropriate Transition Team member.

We thank you for your continued prayers and support during this transition period.

With this transition, we have said farewell to four of our Regional Ministers who are retiring and moving on to new opportunities – Rev. Ron Baxter, Rev. Wayne Fevens, Dr. Frank Guinta & Dr. John Weiler. This past fall, the regions took time to honor the work and dedication of these servants. As well, at our Christmas party in December, Convention staff had the same opportunity to say thank you to each of them for their excellent service in the Convention. We produced a video of the four sharing their thoughts and memories of their time in Regional Ministry – www.vimeo.com/33922112. Please share this with your churches.