Change vs. Transition

Last week, the staff members of the diocese enjoyed an overnight retreat at The Hermitage in Three Rivers where the Rev. Cindy Nawrocki, who is our diocesan deacon for domestic mission trips and Jubilee Ministries, led us in exercises surrounding the concepts of change and transition.

Since the announcement of my retirement, the staff and many people in the diocese are aware of impending transitions.

In this workshop, Cindy explained that transition can be known as the land of uncertainty, a time between an ending and a beginning. She said “We can use this time to be anxious and worried or we can use this time to grow and learn something new about ourselves.” We were given the opportunity to answer the following questions about ourselves, and then expanded our conversation to the changes that are going to affect all of us:

·        Where were you 10 years ago? (Vocationally, spiritually, physically, emotionally.)

·        Where do you want to be 10 years from now? (Vocationally, spiritually, emotionally.)

·        What have been some of the biggest transitions you have made in your life? Were they made of your own choice? What inner growth came from those times of transition?

·        What were some of the most surprising changes that have happened in your life?

One of the most important things I took away was the distinction between change and transition. Cindy quoted William Bridges: “There can be any number of changes but unless there are transitions, nothing will be different when the dust clears.”

In short, we learned that change is external and transition is internal. One follows the other. 

Sometimes change comes first, but sometimes transition leads us to change. What’s dangerous is when they don’t go together.

There have been occasions during my time as Bishop in which it has been necessary to force changes with the hope that a transition will take place in the hearts and minds of those involved. My hope has been that by doing those difficult things, the Spirit will enter and make things healthier.

But I have found that things get very messy before they get better … and that a mess is a sign that a change/transition is taking place.

Changes and transitions rarely happen smoothly, however, but as Christian people, we trust the Spirit to make things right. As long as we hold onto our own stuff, we can’t receive what the spirit has to offer. In going through changes, we really must allow the Spirit to work to create something healthy.

Recommended reading:

Thirst, by Mary Oliver, Beacon Press

Open the Door: A Journey to the True Self, by Joyce Rupp, Sorin Books

How Can I Let Go if I Don’t Know I’m Holding On?, by Linda Douty, Morehouse Publishing

When the Heart Waits, by Sue Mink Kidd, Harper Collins Publishing

A Time for Leaving, by Mary Fahy, Paulist Press

The Gift of Change, by Marianne Williamson, Harper Collins Publishing

Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes, by William Bridges, Addision-Wesley Publishing

The Language of Letting Go, by Melody Beattie

Growing Wings, by Kristen Jongen   (from Grace Church, Traverse City)