The American Baptist Churches USA Office of the General Secretary invites pastors, church leaders, and regional staff to participate in several upcoming Transition Ministries events in 2026.

Transition Ministries supports congregations and leaders navigating seasons of change, providing guidance in spiritual discernment, adaptive leadership, and healthy transition processes. These sessions and opportunities are designed to equip ministry leaders with practical tools, spiritual insight, and a network of support for this vital work.

Level I Training:

This foundational course introduces the theology, framework, and core practices of intentional interim ministry. Participants will explore the five focus points of transition—Heritage, Mission, Leadership, Connections, and Future—while developing skills and gaining practical tools to guide congregations faithfully and strategically through times of transition. (CEUs available)

Level II Training:

Building upon the principles introduced in Level I, this advanced training invites participants into deeper and more extensive work within the five focus points of transition. Leaders will strengthen their capacity to form and lead effective transition teams while guiding congregations toward renewed vitality and readiness for future ministry.

• Part One: Course Work
  Building upon the principles introduced in Level I, this advanced training invites participants into deeper and more extensive work within the five focus points of transition – Heritage, Mission, Leadership, Connections, and Future. Leaders will strengthen their capacity to form and lead effective transition teams while guiding congregations toward renewed vitality and readiness for future ministry. At the end of the course, participants will be placed into 5-6 person cohorts in preparation for Part Two. (CEUs available for course work)
• Part Two: Practicum
  The second part of Level II Training includes an assignment to design a practicum and execute one of the five focus points – Heritage, Mission, Leadership, Connections, and Future. Participants will work with their region executive minister who would help identify a local congregation. They will have 6-8 weeks to complete this work and prepare a 30-minute presentation to share with their cohort. The cohorts will select dates with the course instructor to gather and share their presentation. Upon completion of the practicum experience, participants will be recognized as ABCUSA Transition Ministers.

Upcoming 2026 Training Dates:

• Level II Advanced Transition Ministries Training (via Zoom)
  Wednesday–Thursday, June 3–4, 2026
  Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. & Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (ET)
• Instructor: Rev. Dr. James Wolfe, ABCUSA President (2022-2023), former pastor and intentional interim pastor who has received training as a Transition Consultant through the Center for Congregational Health, a ministry of Atrium Health, Wake Forest Baptist’s Faith Division.                                                                                                                         Cost: $100 per person for Zoom sessions                                             
• If three participants from the same church or region register, a $50 discount will be applied to the third registration.
• Registration deadline: May 13, 2026.

• Level I Foundational Transition Ministries Training (in-person)
  Friday–Saturday, September 18–19, 2026
  Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. & Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (ET)
  ABCUSA Office, King of Prussia, PA
• Instructors: Rev. Nikita McCalister and Rev. Dr. James Wolfe
  Cost: $175 per person
• If more than one person registers from a church or region, a $25 discount will be applied to each registration.
• Registration deadline: August 28, 2026.

Past 2026 Training Dates:

• Level I Foundational Transition Ministries Training (via Zoom)
  Friday–Saturday, March 20–21, 2026
  Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. & Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (ET)
• Instructor: Rev. Nikita G. McCalister, ABCUSA President (2024-2025), currently serving as Regional Associate Minister and Transitional Consultant for the American Baptist Churches of Michigan, and Associate Pastor of Covenant Baptist Church, West Bloomfield, MI. Rev. McCalister completed ABCUSA TM Training.

Learn more about Transition Ministries at www.abc-usa.org/transitionministries.