Former Florida pastor shares transitioning tools

KISSIMMEE (FBC)—Transition will be a key concept for 21st century ministry, said Dan Southerland, author of Transitioning: Leading Your Church Through Change and founder of Church Transitions, Inc. “We (the church) are either going to die as we are or we will transition into something that is missions oriented and culturally relevant.”

The former Florida pastor will address church leaders desiring to change their ministry methods to correspond with a 21st century mentality during the Church Transitions Conference at First Baptist Church, Kissimmee, April 25-26.

“The reality is Florida is a state in flux, a state in change,” said Southerland. “The communities are transitioning. How people view life and church and God is transitioning.”

Southerland was pastor/teacher of Flamingo Road Church in Fort Lauderdale for 13 years. Under his leadership, the congregation grew from 300 to 2,300 in average attendance despite South Florida’s diverse culture and population challenges.

While at Flamingo Road, Southerland designed an eight-step change model based on the book of Nehemiah. This model helped evolve the church from a traditional program-driven ministry into a contemporary model of change.

Today he travels across the nation and world training pastors and church leaders to effectively manage major transformation in the church. His success in training leaders has secured him a teaching role at the Purpose Driven Church Conference held by Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. for several years.

During the two-day event at First, Kissimmee, Southerland will present the process that revolutionized Flamingo Road’s approach to ministry. He will coach participants through drafting a plan for their churches and share insights on discerning God’s vision and defining a church’s local mission.

Conference topics will include taking a team approach to ministry; building an environment of excitement and momentum; dealing with opposition and the unexpected and evaluating success.

“We encourage pastors to come with at least two other people from their staff or leadership so a team that understands the change process goes back to the church,” said Bob Bumgarner, director of the Convention’s Office of Leadership Development.

Cost to attend is $99 per person or $79 per person for groups of three or more. Fees include conference materials and lunch for two days. Participants must obtain their own housing.

Registration ends April 18. Mail form and fee to Office of Leadership Development, Florida Baptist Convention, 1230 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32207. For more information, a registration form, or a list of area hotels call 800-226-8584, ext. 3018.