I've been told that good things come to those that wait. As a pastor I've discovered I need to keep repeating that to myself. While I'm amazed when I hear stories of overnight transitions, I've never experienced one. Instead, I've found that transitions take a while; sometimes a long while.

I am a child of my culture with a lust for the immediate. I am use to being able to get what I want when I want it and when it doesn't happen I get frustrated and, at times, angry. Paul says that patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit, one that is still not fully ripe in my life. I want things quick, I want them instant. I want changes I implement to take effect quickly and to see the effects immediately.

Euguene Peterson has helped me immensely in this area. In his book The Contemplative Pastor he introduces me to a new metaphor. For most of my ministry I saw myself as the CEO of an organization (Perhaps that was because of all the business books I was told to read as a pastor). In contrast, Peterson talks about an agricultural metaphor (3). I find this a helpful metaphor.

Peterson continues by talking about some of Wendell Berry's writings. Berry is both a farmer and poet, so he understand the importance of patience. Berry writes of taking decades to 'reclaim' a section of land. Peterson asks me, as a pastor, am I willing to take decades to reclaim the people and church I serve for God?

For most United Methodist pastors, our answer would have to be, "I don't have that kind of time! I'm only guaranteed a year appointment at a time. If I'm going to be able to 'make a splash' I'm going to have to do it quickly.”

I wonder if this type of attitude causes us, as pastors, to do things that are effective short term, but not so effective long term. Perhaps we can implement programs in such a way that it can show effects of change and transformation, but deep down we know it can't last. After we leave, the church will return to the "way it has always been done."

It is much quicker to paint a house than it is to fix foundational problems. In a church it is difficult to deal with foundational issues such as "Who are we in Christ and what is God calling our church to do and be?" It is easier to add a couple of programs that might draw new people into the church, than to walk with people as they open up to God's call in their lives. It is quicker to simply 'assign' people to ministries that “keep the folks coming”, than to allow and help people to discover the ministry God has created them for.

While I want things to transition quickly, I'm learning that for lasting change, transformational change, to happen I must allow God to produce in me the fruit of the Spirit...which includes patience. As we watch God working in people's lives over time, I'm convinced that God will amaze us. It isn't quick. It isn't easy. Transitions never are.