Every year, the Appointive Cabinet of the Susquehanna Conference undertakes the sacred and strategic work of matching pastoral leaders with congregations. Whether due to retirement, a requested change, or a desire to better align gifts with needs, each pastoral transition represents both a risk and an opportunity. It’s not enough to simply make a good appointment on paper - the success of a new pastoral relationship depends on how that transition begins. And that’s where the Onboarding Process makes all the difference.
The Birth of a Vision
The Susquehanna Conference’s Onboarding Process was born from the insight of lifelong United Methodist and seasoned HR professional Claire Bowen of Atlanta. Since 2013, Bowen has refined this process to address the specific needs and dynamics of the United Methodist Church’s appointment system. Encouraged by a pastor to imagine what intentional onboarding would look like in the church, she designed a structured, relationally focused model that is now helping transform how pastors and congregations begin their ministry together.
“This is one of the best gifts we can offer to a pastor and a congregation moving into a new appointment,” says Rev. Dr. Kathleen Kind. And it’s easy to see why.
A Process Rooted in Intentionality
The Onboarding Process is far more than a checklist. It’s a spiritual and relational investment. It brings together key lay leaders, staff members, and the incoming pastor to share hopes, challenges, stories, and expectations - all in one room, at one time.
Here’s how it works:
- After a pastor is notified of a new appointment, they are connected with a trained onboarding facilitator.
- The facilitator spends time with the pastor to understand their gifts, styles, and needs, and then coordinates a gathering with the church’s leadership.
- During this gathering, the laity engage deeply with guided questions - while the pastor steps out, allowing honest reflection without fear or flattery.
- The facilitator collects responses in real time, sharing them with the pastor to help them prepare for what lies ahead.
- Then, the pastor returns to the room to reflect on what was shared, seek clarification, and begin building relationships rooted in transparency and trust.
- The session ends in prayer, laying a foundation not just for ministry, but for a holy partnership.
It’s structured. It’s spiritual. And it works.
A Model for This Moment in the Church
There was a time when pastors could spend a year simply “getting to know” a church before making changes. But in today’s church - amid cultural shifts, shrinking budgets, and urgent spiritual needs - we no longer have the luxury of waiting.
“The process reflects the urgency of our time,” says Rev. Rachel Wong, who experienced onboarding at Linglestown Life. “It was great. I wish they would do it in every church with a new appointment.”
Indeed, onboarding accelerates connection. It opens the door to healing and clarity. It surfaces unspoken assumptions and old wounds, names golden calves, and points to influential leaders - sometimes before the first sermon is preached.
Pastor Randy Zeiler, who went through onboarding at Fishing Creek Salem UMC, agrees: “It’s incredibly worthwhile. Yes, it’s a time commitment, but it opens up important conversations so much quicker and focuses on trust building… I would highly recommend it for any and all moves.”
Broad Benefits - and a Big Vision
While the program created by Claire Bowenhas already trained more than 230 facilitators across the U.S., we’ve only just begun to tap into its full potential in the Susquehanna Conference. Facilitators - both clergy and laity - undergo rigorous hands-on training. Each onboarding session is tailored to the size and context of the church, whether it’s a single congregation or a multi-point charge. And while costs vary, the Conference currently covers the entire expense as an investment in healthy, thriving pastoral transitions.
Already, Conference staff including Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez and Director of Communications Matthew Shineman have participated in the process. Upcoming sessions are planned for incoming Superintendents Rev. Dr. Lyssette Perez and Rev. Dr. Michelle Bodle - a testament to how valuable this model is not just in the local church, but throughout our entire connection.
Administrative leaders like Shari Bellish, from Middlesex UMC, report that onboarding helped spark honest and hopeful conversations among staff and lay leaders alike. It’s not just about a new pastor; it’s about the whole community getting clear on its vision and values.
What’s Next - and How You Can Help
Today, the Appointive Cabinet identifies a handful of congregations each year for onboarding. But the dream is to grow our capacity so that even more churches and pastors are able to experience onboarding as a part of their transition.
Why? Because onboarding doesn’t just help pastors start well. It helps congregations trust sooner, share openly, and embrace the future together.
It’s a model of effective communication where all voices are heard and respected. It’s an antidote to speculation, triangulation, and slow-burning conflict. It’s efficient, spiritually grounded, and transformational.
To build that future, we need your support. Help us grow awareness, and in times of pastoral transition, support this process in your local church and district. Together we can ensure that every new pastoral appointment begins not with uncertainty, but with clarity, courage, and connection.
Because the way we begin shapes everything that follows. And onboarding ensures we begin with grace, trust, and shared purpose.
