“What is truly surprising is not so much the extraordinary level of change we face in the culture we live in but how astonishingly inept we are at navigating through the new realities change surfaces. Youth ministry and the vocation of youth pastor are not exempt from the potential whirlwind of transitioning through change. Tim Ciccone is an amazingly gifted youth pastor who has learned, through experience, the art of transitioning well. In Transit: A Youth Workers Guide to a New Beginning focuses specifically on the transition from one youth ministry position to a new youth ministry position. Ciccone examines the pro’s and con’s of a potential move from one church to another, helping the reader think through all of the issues connected to making a decision and managing a transition. Ciccone effectively addresses a plethora of practical issues ranging from determining when it’s time to leave one’s current position, how to communicate effectively to everyone impacted by the decision (including your own children), vetting the potential of a new ministry opportunity, the interview process, detailed plans for a good start in a new position, plus much more. In Transit also includes excellent appendix resources such as specific questions and issues to surface in the interview process. I must say I was having a bit of an internal struggle with Tim’s story in the first part of the book involving several changes in ministry positions during his first decade of youth work (maybe because I’ve been in the same youth ministry for 36 years). However, the more I read the more I realized that Tim’s experience is the norm for a majority of youth workers today. Tim is writing from the richness of his testimony and the wisdom he has gained by learning and growing. I was really happy to get to the end of In Transit and see how the Spirit of God addressed the issue of longevity and stability in Tim’s life and ministry. If you are in youth ministry today and plan to be in youth ministry tomorrow, you should read this book and keep it in your library for the journey ahead of you.”
Mike King, President/CEO of Youthfront; Executive Editor of Immerse: A Journal of Faith, Life and Youth Ministry; and author of Presence Centered Youth Ministry: Guiding Students Into Spiritual Formation, Intervarsity Press. www.King.typepad.com
“Finally, a book that addresses one of the most neglected but difficult seasons in a youth pastor’s career. With rich personal experience, Tim walks us through practical ways to navigate the 120 days of complex ministry transition. His commitment to God’s work gives us a healthy way to understand transitions while maintaining a commitment to ministry as “The art of the long view”. A must for any youth pastor!”
Jim Dekker Ph.D.–Co Director for the Center for Youth Ministry Studies as well as Associate Professor of Youth Ministry at North Park University
“Wisdom gained from experience is meant be shared to benefit others. In Transit is a thoughtful, conversational walk through Tim’s personal experiences in youth ministry and the valuable lessons he has distilled along the journey. In the book, Tim unfolds practical insight while giving encouragement, suggestions and cautions, along with a realistic timeline for transitioning within youth ministry. From many years of being on a large church youth staff, to filling various volunteer youth ministry positions, I enthusiastically recommend this book to anyone considering making a change to or thinking about entering into youth ministry. You’ll be referring back to this helpful tool again and again.”
Janet Peterson- Youth Ministry Volunteer, mother of teenagers, and former Youth Pastor.
Tim has felt Godly growth and maturity it in his gut, in his marriage, in parenting, in his friendships and in his ministry and he speaks from this hopeful place of freedom, reaching for new ideas. It is a good invitation to be true to who you are becoming. Read it. It will benefit your youth ministry.
