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The average pastor today relocates five times in a 30-year career—even more if you count changing residences within the same community. For many pastors and their families, such moves cause anxiety, uncertainty, and fear.

The pastor and spouse who relocate must say goodbye to familiar people and places and say hello to strangers in a new city. Children can be devastated by the emotional turmoil of leaving friends. The physical work of moving, however, may be the most stressful part of the process. There is so much to be done and so much that can go wrong.

Churches are involved in the process of moving pastors because they frequently pay all or part of the relocation costs. They may help pack and move the family. By the end of a move, many pastors vow never to do it again.

But they do. And when they do, careful planning and supervision can ease the stress of the experience. A well-planned move successfully manages three elements: time, stuff, and people.

Drawing up a comprehensive timetable or checklist is essential for a smooth move. Ideally, you should start preparing eight weeks ahead. Then you should:

Decide who will move you. Either contact a moving company or make arrangements for a self-move. The availability of equipment and crews, particularly in the busiest move times, is critical.

Estimate costs. A reliable mover will offer you an accurate estimate of the amount of time needed from the beginning to the end of the move as well as compensation for out-of-pocket living expenses if you have to wait for the van to arrive.

Several large international moving and storage companies such as Allied Van Lines, Bekins Van Lines, and North American Van Lines offer clergy relocation services. Pam Kemp, who works with clergy for Allied Van Lines, says that churches have different relocation needs than corporations. "When I work with national corporate accounts, the companies will authorize almost anything and are freer with money," she says. "I have to be aware that most churches work with very tight budgets and sometimes are estimating for two or three candidates."

Make reservations. Advance planning is especially important for a self-move with truck-rental firms such as U-Haul or Ryder. Because a self-move is usually more economical than hiring a moving company, larger trucks are reserved quickly, especially at popular moving times such as weekends and the end of March and October, when many rental leases are up.

It is also essential to make arrangements for boxes and packing material, either from a moving company or a truck-rental firm.

Take care of utilities. Call utility companies in the city you're leaving and the one you're moving to for discontinuation and start-up of services. Be sure to inform the U.S. Postal Service of your new address so that mail can be forwarded without your having to pay a small fortune in postage-due fees.

Make a checklist. Moving companies are willing to provide you with timetables and checklists to help you organize your move. In addition, the Associated Realtors of Orange County, California, has posted a great timetable on its Web site (http://www.arrelo.com). Checklists can offer you a sense of control in what can be a chaotic time. They also provide an opportunity for every member of the family to be involved in getting ready for the big day.

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