5 Things
How Do You Know When It’s Time for a Change?
By Mike Juntunen
1) Have you finished your assignment?
When we went to Hungary to serve as the directors of INSTE, a distance education course geared to make disciples and develop ministry leaders, there were certain things that we were asked to accomplish, and the same was true when we went to Romania. Once we were able to check those items off our “to do” list, we knew it was time for us to consider returning to the U.S.
As a pastor or leader in another area of ministry, you may not have a specific list of things to accomplish, but you do have a vision for your ministry. There are assignments you feel the Lord wants you to accomplish as the leader. Have you fulfilled that vision? Have you reached your target?
Another benchmark to consider is if the church or ministry has hit a plateau. Does it seem as though you have reached a certain point and you cannot seem to break through? There could be many reasons for this, but one could be that you have taken the church as far as you can and it is time to bring in a “Joshua” to carry it to the next level.
2) Have you trained your successor?
This is probably one area where we as leaders have been weak. Our tendency is to leave a church or ministry expecting those we served to find a new leader themselves. Unfortunately, too often they end up struggling to find the right person while the ministry languishes and in many cases even dies.
Part of our responsibility in Hungary was to identify and train a Hungarian to take over as the director of INSTE when we left. Our goal from day one was to work ourselves out of a job, which is what we did. God directed us to ask one of our INSTE graduates to become the new director, and he is doing a great job.
It has been said, “Never do ministry alone.” We should always have someone we are mentoring with us when we minister. Identifying and training our “Timothy” should be one of our main priorities as pastors and leaders. In fact, it should be a common practice for us to be mentoring potential leaders, and we should not consider leaving our ministry until that person is ready to succeed us.
3) Do you have peace in your heart?
Whenever Nancy and I make a transition, we ask ourselves, “Do we feel at peace about the move?” We want to make sure we are not making this decision because we are discouraged, defeated, or running from a problem. We want to make sure that our relationships with the people are healthy, the ministry is strong, and we are leaving with a good conscience and the blessing of the people.
This is one of those areas where you need to know in your spirit that it is the right time to leave. If you have questions or reservations about it, it may be best to wait until you receive the assurance from the Holy Spirit.
4) Do you know what the next step is?
I have always advised leaders to never close one door until another door has opened (unless, like Abraham, you have heard clearly from the Lord to go). In other words, unless God directs differently, do not leave your current position until you have someplace else to go or something else to do. Before we left our pastorate in the church in Austin, Minnesota, I had been sensing for a while that the time was coming for us to leave the church. However, it was not until the door opened for us to become the directors of INSTE in Hungary that we closed the door on pastoring the church.
When one is considering retiring, it is still good to ask, “What now?” Even though you are not in full-time ministry, there are still ways to minister and serve. Have you thought about what they might be? How can you use your gifts and skills to serve a local church? Is there a way you can bless a young pastor in your area? Think through what you can continue to do for the kingdom of God before you make the transition.
5) Have you heard from God?
I listed this as the fifth point, but it really should be a part of the entire decision-making process from beginning to end. We should never make a move unless we have heard from God and received clear direction from Him.
I know it should be obvious that as Christian leaders we want to hear God’s voice and do His will, but it is also easy for us to make decisions based on our emotions. It is possible to leave too early because of discouragement or feelings of failure. On the other hand, it is also possible we do not leave when we should out of a sense of obligation or duty; our pride tells us “they cannot survive without us.” In either case, it is imperative that you bathe the entire process in prayer, seeking God’s clear direction regarding the completion of your assignment, selection of your successor, bringing a sense of peace to your decision, and directing you to what the Lord has for you next.
About the Author
An Open Bible College graduate, Mike Juntunen and his wife, Nancy, pastored in various Open Bible churches for thirty years before being appointed as Open Bible missionaries in 2007. Mike served as the Director of INSTE in Hungary for eleven years and mentored the new pastor of the Open Bible Church in Gherla, Romania, for the past two years. The Juntunens have recently moved back to the United States, where they will begin a new chapter in their life and ministry. They have three married sons and seven grandchildren.
By Anthony Lee
It was a drizzly Oregon night in 1997, and I was in the covered picnic area at Eugene Bible College when I came face to face with something evil that I couldn’t explain. It took me years to process this encounter; it was a moment frozen in time that I would hide from for many reasons, including my own sanity.
I was afraid to tell anyone about my experience, both because I didn’t want to seem crazy and because I didn’t want to admit the reality of what I’d seen. I wasn’t sure if this evil creature was spiritual, physical, or both. What I know for sure is God was in control the whole time, and aside from my fear in the moment, I was not hurt.
Supernatural is defined as “a manifestation or event attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature.” When we come across something supernatural, it can be perplexing because it is beyond what we can control or reason out; this can lead to discomfort and fear. Yet, on the other side of understanding is whimsy and mystery, which can be intriguing and exciting.
God is supernatural, and every day we are faced with the immensity of Him.
God is supernatural, and every day we are faced with the immensity of Him. Everything that exists in the natural world was created supernaturally, and nothing was or is out of His control. There are things we simply cannot understand right now. Paul says it well: “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Cor.13:12 NIV).
Someday we will fully know what we currently don’t. For now, there will be moments when we experience the supernatural and have to wrestle with the unknown. It’s important for us to do this biblically and in partnership with the Holy Spirit. Here are a few insights for navigating unexplainable supernatural experiences:
1. Tell someone. There is no reason why you should bear this burden alone. The enemy would love nothing more than to isolate us. It’s in isolation that he can cause the most damage. If we combine forces with others, we can find solace in the arms of friends and loved ones. I would suggest you start with those you trust most and prioritize godly counsel.
2. Be completely truthful. When it came to recounting my own experience, I found myself withholding some finer details because of my fear of what others might think. Or conversely, I would stretch the truth at times to make a better story. These misrepresentations are not only wrong, but they also discredit our testimony. “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (Eph. 4:25 NIV). We owe our fellow brothers and sisters the blessing of our honest testimony. You may even set someone else free with your truth because they had a similar experience. There is great comfort in a completely truthful story.
3. Be bold enough to admit reality. On one occasion, I was asked to pray for a congregant after a church service. Another elder and I prayed for this woman’s broken foot. The next day, I got word that when she went into the hospital for her scheduled surgery, preliminary X-rays showed the bone had healed. Despite X-ray proof and my knowledge of God’s goodness, I became skeptical. It can be easier to choose denial or skepticism over belief. Don’t allow the enemy to pull you away from God’s ability or power.
4. Dig into God’s Word. Even though our experiences often are not reflected in exact biblical examples, the Bible is full of supernatural events! Dead people walking around after Jesus’ death on the cross, demons being cast out of a human boy and into pigs – this is crazy stuff. There is great comfort in understanding how supernatural the world really is throughout history and in Scripture. We need the stories of old to give us a broader understanding of a truly biblical worldview.
5. Give it time. Often what we do not understand right now will be illuminated in due course. I find when I am impatient, I jump to a lot of conclusions. This kind of hastiness can cause us to make decisions that will alter our paths in a way God did not intend. I almost dropped out of Bible college over my experience. I shudder to think how different my life would have been if I’d allowed the enemy to steal a life of ministry from me over an experience I could not explain.
If you ever experience something supernatural, know that God has allowed it to happen. He wants to be included in your experience, and He wants you to learn and grow from it. Be amazed at the wonder of God and His supernatural abilities and creation. I am convinced that your testimony may be the key to someone else’s deliverance. Our world is hungry for the truth and desperate to be set free.
About the Author
Anthony Lee resides in the majestic shadow of the Cascades (in Bend, Oregon, to be precise), where he juggles the delightful chaos of two teenage daughters, Juliana and Sophia, and is blessed by a beautiful wife, Eliza. Armed with a master’s in Christian leadership from Wheaton Graduate School and additional studies at Oxford, Anthony now serves as the lead pastor of Church of the Cascades as well as on the national board of Open Bible Churches. When not pondering the mysteries of theology, God, and the human condition, he can be found coaxing melodies from a trumpet, strumming a guitar, or occasionally subjecting the congregation to heavily auto-tuned vocals on Sundays. His writing, fueled by copious amounts of coffee and the occasional Haribo gummy bear, explores these profound topics with the same enthusiasm he brings to a fresh powder day on the slopes or a quiet afternoon fly fishing.
Don’t you just hate it when you start a project and don’t have the right tools? I do. I love a good DIY project, but I almost always have to go buy a tool to get the job done. DIY projects feel very similar to parenting. You see a picture of something, think, “How hard could it be? Those people look happy with that baby – we’ve got this.” Then the teenage years hit, and it’s “Pinterest Fails” in real time: nothing looks like the picture, and you don’t have the right tools to do the job. Having the right tools can make all the difference, both in a DIY project and in parenting your teens.
Let’s be honest: parenting in 2025 is not for the faint of heart, and parenting teenagers during this time is something only crazy people do. Parenting with purpose and intentionality in the midst of smart phones, social media, unlimited access to information, and hormones kind of seems like a recipe for disaster. If you feel like your toolbox is missing some tools, let me share some that I use on a regular basis.
Five tools that are currently in my toolbox:
1. Healthy Boundaries.
If you don’t have them, now is the time to create them. You’re going to want to go ahead and set boundaries for the whole family: parents, kids, and every stinkin’ electronic device you own. You need a plan on how you are going to manage and honor these boundaries. Boundaries create margin, and margin is key to survival. Take some time and decide what you would like this to look like, plan it out, and stick to it.
2. A Healthy Relationship with Therapy.
I think a lot of times, we as Christians struggle with shame when our prayers don’t result in erasing all our mental and emotional pain (or that of our kids’). What if God’s answer to some of those prayers comes in the form of a great Christian therapist? Just like Esther, you and I were born for such a time as this, and in this time, we can access incredible resources found in a solid Christian therapist. It might not seem like a great idea and your kids might not like it at first, but have a conversation and strike up a deal. I was not above bartering with my teens, not when their mental health was on the line. This tool might not be for everyone, but give it some thought and maybe stick it in your toolbox for emergencies only.
3. Keeping the Conversation Going.
We all spend hours in the car, right? Take that drive time to ask your teen questions, simply listening without trying to fix anything (this is the hardest part). The goal is to create a space that allows your teen to feel heard, a space that lets them process their “BIG FEELINGS.” Be encouraged: this tool has a quick turnaround, similar to the timetable of teenage feelings. Hang in there, we will make it!
4. Good Coping Skills.
Drinking Starbucks and shopping at Target, though very enjoyable, are not healthy coping skills. We all have coping mechanisms and your teenagers will too, but we can help them develop healthy ways of dealing with their emotions. Take a walk, ride a bike, go fishing, journal, paint, listen to music, chop some wood (Anger is a real emotion and if you need firewood, it’s a BOGO!). The key is to help your child discover healthy ways of dealing with their “BIG FEELINGS”; they cannot be ignored, they must be processed, and one way or another they will be.
5. Proper Navigation of God’s Word.
I am hopeful that the seeds planted in the lives of my kids will bear much fruit and be a testimony of how good God is.
Does your child know how to read God’s word in a beneficial way? Have you spent time with your teen, teaching them the benefits of a quality quiet time? Don’t just ask your teen, “Do you know who you are in Jesus?” They might not understand how to answer that; my kids didn’t the first time I asked them. Get them a good study Bible, grab that cool journal, and yes, buy the fun pens. We want to encourage this time in the Word. This must be a priority in their life so that when they encounter all of those “BIG FEELINGS,” they can lay those down next to the Word of God, discover who God is, and in turn understand who they are in Him.
Take heart, we will make it through this. It’s just a season, right? I don’t know all the answers, but I am hopeful that the seeds planted in the lives of my kids will bear much fruit and be a testimony of how good God is and how much He really loves us! Now, go fill your toolbox with some good tools!
About the Author
Candi Hagan
Candi Hagan is a pastor and art teacher living in sunny Florida with her husband, Nathan, and their three teenagers (though they’re on the brink of their empty-nester adventure). Together, she and Nathan serve as the Regional Directors for the Southeast Region of Open Bible Churches. Candi is always working to be the best version of herself and is so thankful for the restoration found in Jesus. When she’s not teaching or ministering, you’ll likely find her in the kitchen whipping up something delicious, in the garden tending to her plants, or painting.
Open Bible has a rich heritage of women ministry leaders. Our denomination was birthed in revival and formed by the union of two movements that branched off from other denominations founded and led by women (Florence Crawford and Aimee Semple McPherson). Open Bible’s position on women in ministry leadership celebrates women leaders at all levels. However, even with this rich history and current blessing for women in ministry leadership, it is still rare to find women in certain ministry positions within our churches. There are multiple reasons for this, but here are five actions to consider when addressing this issue.
1. Look at your own biases.
Most often, women aren’t chosen for senior leadership roles because “it hasn’t been done before.” Tradition can be a powerful force, but sometimes it keeps important change from happening. Ask yourself how you would feel if a woman were chosen as the senior pastor of your church. Chances are it might feel awkward. Awkward doesn’t always mean it’s wrong. It usually means it’s just different. This awkwardness is often temporary, and the willingness to lean into it can create new opportunities for women to lead. When a ministry leadership position opens, allow yourself to consider both women and men as candidates for the position.
2. Study what Scripture says about women leaders.
The Old and New Testaments are full of women who played important leadership roles at all levels. Look at the influence and level of authority they were given. Study the “problem passages” (e.g. 1 Corinthians 14:34 and 1 Timothy 2:12) in Scripture that appear to limit women teaching and speaking. Some reputable scholars and commentaries show how these passages were meant to address specific problems that the early church dealt with rather than become an overall rule limiting women in leadership. If you are a church leader, clearly communicate your church’s position on women in ministry leadership. Too often, this topic is ignored, keeping the status quo going.
3. Champion women leaders.
Encourage women, young and old, who have the gift to lead. Mentor them. Hire them. It is a blessing when a woman unselfishly cheers on another woman in her leadership; too often, there’s a temptation to be jealous or deliver harsh criticism, which leads to hesitance in stepping into leadership. It’s especially impactful when a male leader encourages and makes room for a woman to lead. Giving the same opportunities to women that would be given to men who are learning to lead is so important. Too often it is rare to have a young woman given time on stage or other public responsibilities while such opportunities are given to the men who are being trained. Try to be equal where you can. Make room for inexperience and give repeated opportunities to learn and grow.
4. Preach about strong women leaders in the Bible.
Scripture is filled with women leaders such as Miriam, Hannah, Esther, Deborah, Mary, and Priscilla. Highlighting their lives shows how God’s leadership gifts are given to both men and women. This encourages women leaders and gives them biblical role models.
5. Nurture a culture of leadership sharing.
Many times, the church hears from one pastor’s voice most of the time. Regularly sharing the pulpit creates space where leaders in training can experience public ministry. Allowing both men and women to preach helps your congregation become accustomed to both male and female leadership, creating a bench of players who can be trained to assist at all levels of church leadership. This keeps the church from idolizing or draining one leader and allows more people’s gifts to be shared.
The Church, the Bride of Christ, functions more fully when men and women work side by side in leadership. When women’s voices and leadership gifts are ignored or limited, half of the Church’s voice is muted. However, when men and women unselfishly share leadership and influence, God’s kingdom moves forward powerfully. This unselfish sharing of leadership reflects God’s nature more fully, creating a space where the Holy Spirit can come and powerfully move.
Additional resources:
- Open Bible Manual – Official Statements 7.6: The Role of Women in Ministry and Leadership (p. 89)
- Open Bible Webinar: Women in Ministry Leadership: Answering God’s Call
- Book to help with biblical theology of women in ministry leadership: God’s Women Then and Now by Deborah M. Gill and Barbara Cavaness.
About the Author
Julie Cole
Julie Cole is the Associate Director of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care at The King’s University in Southlake, TX. She’s a licensed marriage and family therapist, spiritual director, and an ordained minister. Julie desires to inspire people to hear God’s voice and to see His hand in both the big and small experiences of life. Julie and her husband, David, live in Fort Worth, Texas, and have four children and eight grandchildren with two more on the way in 2025.
