CHURCH TRANSITION

Rev. Brooks McElhenney

Secretary/Treasurer, Michigan Ministry Network

Woodland Church

Sunday, January 25, 2026

(1 Timothy 3:1-7, NIV) “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.”

“above reproach” (verse 2)

“faithful to his wife” (verse 2)

“temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable” (verse 2)

“able to teach” (verse 2)

“not given to drunkenness” (verse 3)

“not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome” (verse 3)

“not a lover of money” (verse 3)

(1 Timothy 3:4, NIV) “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.”

(1 Timothy 3:5, NIV) “(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)”

(1 Timothy 3:6, NIV) “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.”

(1 Timothy 3:7, NIV) “He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.”

(Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

(Deuteronomy 31:7-8, NIV) “Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.  The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

(Numbers 27:15-16, NIV) “Moses said to the Lord, “May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community”

(Numbers 27:18, NIV) “So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him.”

(Numbers 27:23, NIV) “Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the Lord instructed through Moses.”

Perspective #1 – Transitions are normal.

Perspective #2 – Transitions require strength and courage.

(Deuteronomy 31:7, NIV) “Be strong and courageous…”

Perspective #3 – Transitions are a part of God’s plan.

(Deuteronomy 31:7, NIV) “…for you must go with this people…”

There is no better place to be than in God’s will.

Perspective #4 – Transitions lead to new vision and opportunities.

(Deuteronomy 31:7, NIV) “…into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them…”

Perspective #5 – Transitions lead to God’s divine blessings.

(Deuteronomy 31:7, NIV) “…and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.”

Perspective #6 – God transitions have God attached to them.

(Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV) “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Perspective #7 – Transitions require faith and confidence.

(Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV) “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”