Intentional Interim Ministry - A Guide for Congregations

Help!!!...Our Pastor Is Leaving!
So your pastor is leaving - or has left.  It happens sooner or later in every congregation.  It is not an easy experience.  You may be experiencing many feelings, among them uncertainty, anger, frustration, grief, concern about the future of your church and even panic.

     *How will you go about calling a new pastor?

     *How long will it take?

     *Who will lead worship and care for the congregation until
        a new pastor is calling?

There are but a few of the questions that your congregation must answer.  But you can rest assured that:

     #This is NOT the end of your church!

     #Help is available to provide leadership during this interim time!

     #Help is available to assist your congregation in searching for 
       and calling its next pastor!

That help comes in the form of an Intentional Interim Minister.

 

What Is An "Intentional Interim Minister"?

The word interim means in between.  In the church's life, it refers to that period of time between the leaving of one installed pastor and the coming of the next.  Ordained Ministers who are called to serve churches during the interim period are referred to as Interim Ministers.

In addition to their basic seminary preparation, some ordained ministers have received special education and training in Intentional Interim Ministry.  In addition to doing all of the usual pastoral duties they provide leadership to help a congregation

     *work through grief, anger, and/or sadness over a pastor's
       leaving

     *deal with conflict and/or special problems

     *rediscover its mission and renew its resources

     *set new directions and goals for ministry

     *prepare for the coming of the next pastor

 

Is Intentional Interim Ministry Needed In Every Pastoral Vacancy?

Not necessarily.  Sometimes ministers serve during the Interim Time who are not specifically trained for Interim Ministry.  These ministers may be contracted to carry out the routine pastoral functions of preaching and leading worship, visiting the sick and home-bound members, officiating at weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc. and attending board/committee meetings.  This is often referred to asMaintenance Ministry.  Sometimes a congregation will choose to contract with a minister just to provide worship leadership and preaching.  This type of ministry is called Pulpit Supply.

These ministries are of great value and Maintenance/Pulpit Supply ministers themselves more often than not bring a vast knowledge and insight to the interim time. However, there are those times in a congregation's life that special attention and assistance is needed that can be brought by a trained Intentional Interim.

 

There is Great Value, However, In Hiring An Intentional Interim Minister To Provide Leadership During The In-Between Times.

This is especially true if:

     *your congregation has just ended a long term pastorate

     *your congregation is at a critical point in setting new
       directions for its life and ministry

     *your congregation is dealing with conflict

     *the pastor resigned suddenly

     *the pastor died

     *the pastor left because of misconduct

     *If the the congregation has had a number of short, rather unfulfilling pastorates

     *Any time the congregational leaders believe it is time for a significantly new direction
       for the congregation

In any of these situations, your congregation should seriously consider an Intentional Interim Minister.  The need for such skilled leadership exists whether a congregation is large or small, urban, suburban, small town or rural.

 

What Should Be Done First?

1.   When you know your pastor is leaving, the responsible governing body should ARRANGE A CONSULTATION WITH REGIONAL, ASSOCIATE REGIONAL AND/OR AREA MINISTER WHERE THE CONGREGATION IS LOCATED at the earliest possible opportunity.  DO THIS BEFORE YOU APPOINT A SEARCH COMMITTEE!!   There is no need to rush the process.  One of the purposes of the consultation is to give you an overview of the Interim Time and search process.  (Interim periods typically range from nine to twenty four months, depending on circumstances.)

2.  When you are ready, the Regional/Area Minister will give you the names of possible Intentional Interim Ministers from which you can select your leadership for this Interim Time.

3.  It is recommended that you SECURE Intentional Interim leadership BEFORE selecting a search committee - or at least before the Search committee begins its work.  Why?  Some of the important work of the Intentional Interim Minister does with the congregation will impact and guide the work of the search committee in seeking the best possible candidate for the congregation at this point in its history.  UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will the Intentional Interim Minister be considered or become a candidate for the position of installed pastor!

4.   Working in partnership with the Intentional Interim Minister, your congregation can move forward into a new and exciting period in its life.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact your Association/Regional Minister if you have questions or want more information about Intentional Interim Ministry.  They can also provide you with the names of congregations that have worked with Intentional Interim Ministers so you can hear their experiences.
 

This guide was adapted by the ADIIM planning team from a document written and prepared by ATIIM - The Association of Trained Intentional Interim Ministers of the Illinois Conference, United Church of Christ and the Christian Church Illinois/Wisconsin Region (Disciples of Christ).