Transition Story Part Three: Saying Good-bye

By Shawn Michael Shoup on September 08 2010

My family has been transitioning out of a church family and youth ministry position where we have been serving for nine-plus years.  Saying good-bye has been nothing short of hard, as you can imagine.  I learned a lot through the process.  I wanted to share some of my story over a series of three posts.  Make sure to read part one, “Things I Found Helpful in Preparation”, and part two, “The New Guys”.

PART THREE: Saying Good-bye

This final post is more of an encouragement for churches versus a how-to for youth workers.  When Deanna and I had our last weekend at Destiny, they did a tremendous job of sending us off.  Far too many transitions are akin to harsh business-like terminations.  Instead, I hope that churches can honor youth workers as they leave, sending them off blessed instead of defeated.  

I put together a video of our last day at Destiny which highlights several of the ways they did their best to honor us before our leaving.  Here's some of the things that they did for us:

• Table Display - featuring pics of our family, a bunch of blank cards and envelopes for people to fill out, and a gift devotional for each of my family members (members were encouraged to write personal notes of encouragement inside).
• Special Sunday Morning Message – our pastors crafted the message after “life lessons” they had gleaned from our family — so humbling. 
• Farewell Service and Celebration – featuring several friends and peers sharing their memories, some fun picture moments from the past, presentation of some gifts from the church, a blessing/sending prayer, and cake and root bear afterwards!

Talk about being sent off encouraged!  We are so thankful for all the great memories that we were able to leave with.  Deanna and I didn't feel deserving, but we were sure blessed.  I hope that's your story, too.

For those of you wanting to know, my family is now settled in Duluth, MN, and we will be finding a new church family soon.  My wife has started medical school at UMD and I will be a stay-at-home dad with our newborn as I continue to network with youth workers and hope to plug in as a volunteer at a local youth group in the near future.  Thanks so much for all your prayers and well wishes!

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