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Goals for Transition

There are times when a missionary an international worker wishes to change the ministry with which they serve while remaining assigned overseas with Reliant. These types of transitions are possible, and our desire in these cases is for missionaries It may be an expected transition, such as moving to a long-term team/location after an initial residency or training program. Or it could be unexpected, due to a shift in life circumstances or ministry-related differences with your current supervision or team. Whatever the situation, we want you to have the tools and support to transition well. 

Keep in mind, continued employment past any transitional phase is contingent on a new partnership.

Steps for Transition

1. The missionary hoping to transition to a different ministry begins a conversation with Reliant prior to transitioning.
2. The missionary identifies new partnership and supervisor.
3. The new supervisor forms partnership with Reliant on behalf of the receiving ministry following the normal new partnership process.
4. The new supervisor provides Reliant with the following:
   1. New Job Description
   2. New Support Goal
   3. Start dates for new role 
5. An exit evaluation is completed by the ministry the missionary is leaving.
6. The missionary receives confirmation of transition within Reliant's systems.
7. The missionary works with Reliant to communicate transition to donors.
8. The missionary wraps up any outstanding obligations with former ministry and transitions to new ministry. 

Bridging Transition

1. Communicate to Reliant and provide the reasons and timeline for the transition.
2. Communicate to your current leadership and work together to make transition plans.
3. Reliant will confirm with your current leadership that you are leaving on good terms.
   1. Either a statement from your current ministry
   2. or your most recent Annual Review will be provided to the new ministry.
4. Connect Reliant to your new ministry. We will go through the New Partnership Process with them.
5. Communicate the change to your Financial partners.
6. Finish your time well
7. Consider taking a brief break (furlough/sabbatical, debrief, etc) before beginning your new role.
8. Provide Reliant with a new Job Description and Support Goal Worksheet. 

Transition Planning

Here are the key items to think about in planning a ministry transition:

1. Desired timing of the transitionThe missionary hoping to transition to a different ministry needs to communicate the following to Reliant via email to international@reliant.org :
2. Contact information for new supervisor and ministry.
3. Brief description of role with new ministry.
Desired timing of the transition – missionary must ensure that reasonable expectations/ responsibilities have been fulfilled before transitioning away.
4. Discussion of impact on ministry the missionary worker is leaving.
   1. Discussion about who relates to the How will this affect people that the missionary shepherds.  worker shepherds? (It should be considered normal that the missionary worker does not bring their network of disciples with them if they move from one congregation to another and remain in the same city as this would trigger a church split.  At the same time, the leadership of the ministry has the right to bless the out-going missionary worker with that discipleship group if they wish and if it is not disruptive. 
   2. Communication plans with the ministry the missionary is leaving
5. Once the above information is collected, Reliant will reach out to the ministry the missionary is leaving to collect/ understand the following:
   1. An exit evaluation, when appropriate:
      1. The supervisor of the ministry the missionary is leaving will be asked to complete an exit evaluation, giving the opportunity for comment leadership if they believe this change is combined with sin issues that may disqualify the missionary from further services. 
   2. Blessing of move of ministry if staying in same city.
   3. Description of expectations related for completion of responsibilities and relational connection.
   4. Follow up that agree-upon steps have been taken 30 days after the change. (or before - the time can be set by the various players)

Communicating Transition to Donors

1. 1. )
   2. Who will assume the worker's responsibilities?
   3. Are there major ministry initiatives or events that need to be considered for timing?
2. When and how will donors be notified.
3. Contact information for new supervisor and ministry.
4. Brief description of role with new ministry.

Decision/Discernment

When it is clear that a transition will take place, but next steps are uncertain, Reliant provides the worker with 90 days of decision and discernment starting the day after their current responsibilities end. This is in addition to any final furlough or sabbatical that may be used in conjunction with a transition. The intention of the decision and discernment period is:

1. Evaluate your calling to continue in a support-based ministry role.
2. Seek counsel from your Sending Church and other trusted relationships.
3. Research different opportunities that are of interest to you.
4. Network with like-minded workers for potential partnership.
5. Spend significant time in prayer for the Lord's guidance in your next steps.

Communicating Transition to Donors

1. Celebrate the time with your current ministry. Highlight one or two significant impacts.
2. Thank them for their partnership.
3. Explain that you will be transitioning out of that role.
   1. Provide details about the new role
   2. Or provide details about decision and discernment
4. Consider giving 1-2 factors that led to your decision. Make sure not to speak negatively of people or ministries in your letter.
5. Give a timeline of the transition.
6. Invite their continued partnership for the season of transition and for future ministry.

Send the draft of your letter to international@reliant.org before sending to your ministry team

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