One of the most important lessons I've learned about transitioning to missional is the lesson of beginning where you are. There is a temptation to believe life would be better somewhere else. We convince ourselves if we were at a different church, with different people, with different (or more) resources, etc., then we would be able to effectively do what we are trying to do.

The truth of the matter is you are where you are and that is the best place to begin. Actually, there isn't really a lot of choice. Of course you could spend your three years and request to be moved, but if you're looking for the perfect church or the perfect situation you are not going to find it.

One of the characteristics of Saddleback, Willowcreek and any of the other 'successful' churches (if you want to use them as an example of success), was they began where they were, with the people they had and their current circumstances.

Of course it is nice to have some sort of short cut, but fact it, ministry is difficult. It is tough work. If we are wanting to find shortcuts we will always fall short of what God is calling us to. Transitions take time, energy, prayer and patience.

Roxburgh and Romanuk point out that the incarnation reminds us that God uses those you least expect. Throughout the Bible, God continually uses the most god-forsaken people to accomplish God’s purposes. God never asks the wrong people to “get off the bus” (The Missional Leader, 17-19) so the right ones can get on. Just think which would give God more glory; Giving you the perfect conditions for transition, or using your current situation with all of its problems and imperfection?

So...my first rule of transition is to begin where you are.