Relocating Well

by Christopher C. Thompson

My wife and I just bought a house. This is a significant moment for us because our first home purchase was the start of a relocation whirlwind. That whirlwind started right after we bought the house and got married in 2005. As a matter of fact, I bought the house in September. We got married in December, and we put up the for sale sign in January. Ministry called, and apparently, the calls have kept coming because it seems like we’ve been moving ever since. Well, we’re finally in a place where we felt comfortable enough to purchase another piece of property, and so we did, and we feel tremendously blessed by God. I share all of this to say, we can relate to the angst and anxiety related to relocating for ministry in a brand new context. 

We have served in several conferences and contexts which have required us to move many times. I feel like we’ve learned some really valuable lessons about transitioning and relocating to the next ministry location. I want to share with you some of the valuable lessons we’ve learned that may help you when the 

Don’t operate out of fear. 

It was Jessie Pounds in that treasured hymn of the church who said:

Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go

Anywhere He leads me in this world below

Anywhere without Him dearest joy would fade

Anywhere with Jesus I am not afraid

I’ve been talking and writing a lot about fear lately, so I could spend an entire article on this part alone. However, I’ll just say this: Fear is an affront to the will and work of God in our lives. Fear seeks to deny God’s providence and faithfulness to us. All throughout our lives, our experience has been marked by the providence of God. We have to trust that wherever God leads, we will be blessed; even if we don’t want to go. What we cannot do is live according to our fear, expecting that the worst will happen. The words of E.G. White are so fitting here. “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.”

Plan and prepare.

Sometimes you know when you’re about to move; other times you don’t. Be prepared. Save money consistently (even if it’s in really small increments) so that when it’s time to make a move, you already have at least some of the funds that are going to be required to make the process just a little smoother. Also, sit down with your spouse and family and talk specifically about the process so that everyone is clear on what’s coming next. Think together, plan together, and talk through the bewildering parts. Also, most conferences allow anywhere from two to three expense-paid scouting trips to prepare for your move. Talk to HR and ministerial departments about other benefits that will alleviate the stress and strain of the move. Use every resource at your disposal to make the transition efficient.    

Lean on those you love.

The most valuable resources are people resources. Be careful to utilize the people you are connected to in both the old and new ministry context. Our family lost a dear friend to death last year. Alvin Mosby was Mr. Pittsburgh. He knew every road, every store, and every restaurant in the city. We did two stints in Pittsburgh and on both occasions Brother Mosby was right there to help us get settled. He cooked for us, ordered food from local restaurants, and at the start of our second stint, he even picked up our keys for us and set up some minor decorations in our home. Here’s the thing, he did all of this in advance so that we’d be a little more comfortable when we arrived. We will forever cherish his memory because he was so gracious to our family. Don’t be afraid to lean on those around you. Their support might just save you a disastrous nightmare of a move. 

Moving is never enjoyable, but each move can be and should be the unfolding of one more facet of a ministry that shines brighter and brighter with each new assignment. Lean on the Lord and the trustworthy ones around you believing that your next assignment, will most certainly be a blessed assignment.  

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How to Know When it is Time to Retire

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Transitioning Well