INTENTIONAL INTERIM MINISTRY

1. INTENTIONAL INTERIM MINISTRY Created by The Center For Congregational Health Adapted By Ken Coffee 1There are several option for a church to consider during the transition time between pastors. One of those is Intentional Interim Ministry. I want to make a presentation about that process and then allow plenty of time for discussion. 1There are several option for a church to consider during the transition time between pastors. One of those is Intentional Interim Ministry. I want to make a presentation about that process and then allow plenty of time for discussion.

2. Intentional Interim Ministry... is a process: intentionally adopted by the congregation aimed at discovering/discerning/clarifying God�s will and direction for the church is a congregation�s intentional decision to use the transition period between pastors as a productive time of personal and corporate spiritual growth involves an in-depth self-study that explores five developmental or transitional tasks Display PP #03 First, what is Intentional Interim Ministry? Display PP #03 First, what is Intentional Interim Ministry?

3. An Intentional Interim Minister� is an experienced, ordained minister completes specialized training that concentrates on the dynamics of transition: Over 60 classroom hours Includes a six-month period of supervised fieldwork functions as the church�s senior pastor in regard to preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and administration. equips and guides the Transition Team to engage the congregation in the self-study process. Display PP #05 Second, who is this person we call an Intentional Interim Minister?Display PP #05 Second, who is this person we call an Intentional Interim Minister?

4. Primary Reasons To Consider Intentional Interim Ministry has experienced the departure of a beloved pastor who served ten or more years has a nucleus of lay leaders who recognize a loss of direction or meaning for the church anticipates the next installed pastor being at least a generation younger than the departing pastor has seen average worship attendance drop by 35 percent or more during the last few years Display PP #06 There are several reasons a church might want to consider engaging in this ministry. The more reasons that resonate with your congregation, the stronger the need for you to consider this process.Display PP #06 There are several reasons a church might want to consider engaging in this ministry. The more reasons that resonate with your congregation, the stronger the need for you to consider this process.

5. forced the last pastor to leave encountered misbehavior by a former pastor knows there is destructive conflict within the congregation or its staff experienced conflict between the congregation and the former pastor Display PP #07 Continue presenting �reasons.� Display PP #07 Continue presenting �reasons.�

6. Display PP #09 Introduction Explain the wilderness journey map, highlighting the three periods of endings, in-between times, and new beginnings. Ask for examples of a wilderness experience in the old and new testaments to illustrate that life is made up of a series of such journeys, both individually and corporately. Mention that congregations typically want to move from endings to new beginnings, leaving out the in-between time because this is not a comfortable time. There are too many unknowns and therefore a time of high anxiety. Display PP #09 Introduction Explain the wilderness journey map, highlighting the three periods of endings, in-between times, and new beginnings. Ask for examples of a wilderness experience in the old and new testaments to illustrate that life is made up of a series of such journeys, both individually and corporately. Mention that congregations typically want to move from endings to new beginnings, leaving out the in-between time because this is not a comfortable time. There are too many unknowns and therefore a time of high anxiety.

7. Display PP #10 Termination The interim journey begins with an ending. Someone decides that the pastor should leave the congregation�s leadership. Circumstances are dramatically different if the pastor makes this decision over time as compared to a decision by the church or denomination to ask for the pastor�s resignation. But, for whatever reason, this individual is no longer the pastor and therefore that particular �role� relationship ends. Display PP #10 Termination The interim journey begins with an ending. Someone decides that the pastor should leave the congregation�s leadership. Circumstances are dramatically different if the pastor makes this decision over time as compared to a decision by the church or denomination to ask for the pastor�s resignation. But, for whatever reason, this individual is no longer the pastor and therefore that particular �role� relationship ends.

8. Display PP #22 We place these tasks under the �self study� stage. The significance here is that this study process takes place before the PSC begins its work. The purpose of the study is to develop a profile of the congregation and a profile of a pastor. It does not make sense, in fact it is counterproductive, to be actively searching for a pastor while the congregation is establishing clarity of purpose and call (in order to share that mission/vision with candidates), as well as determining what kind of leader is needed in order to reach that mission/vision (the purpose of the search itself). In the truest sense, the interim time is a time of deep spiritual discernment and yearning for the continued presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit.Display PP #22 We place these tasks under the �self study� stage. The significance here is that this study process takes place before the PSC begins its work. The purpose of the study is to develop a profile of the congregation and a profile of a pastor. It does not make sense, in fact it is counterproductive, to be actively searching for a pastor while the congregation is establishing clarity of purpose and call (in order to share that mission/vision with candidates), as well as determining what kind of leader is needed in order to reach that mission/vision (the purpose of the search itself). In the truest sense, the interim time is a time of deep spiritual discernment and yearning for the continued presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

9. Display PP #23 Coming to Terms with History Every congregation is shaped and formed by its past, but should not be held hostage to it. All churches have creative and energizing experiences, as well as those that cause a depletion of resources. The transition time is an excellent opportunity to take an objective look at a congregation�s history and allow it to become a platform on which the membership moves forward into the future. In cases of conflict, the members begin to answer the questions: What happened? Why did it happen? What did we do about it � how did we handle it? What could/should we have done? Display PP #23 Coming to Terms with History Every congregation is shaped and formed by its past, but should not be held hostage to it. All churches have creative and energizing experiences, as well as those that cause a depletion of resources. The transition time is an excellent opportunity to take an objective look at a congregation�s history and allow it to become a platform on which the membership moves forward into the future. In cases of conflict, the members begin to answer the questions: What happened? Why did it happen? What did we do about it � how did we handle it? What could/should we have done?

10. Display PP #22 We place these tasks under the �self study� stage. The significance here is that this study process takes place before the PSC begins its work. The purpose of the study is to develop a profile of the congregation and a profile of a pastor. It does not make sense, in fact it is counterproductive, to be actively searching for a pastor while the congregation is establishing clarity of purpose and call (in order to share that mission/vision with candidates), as well as determining what kind of leader is needed in order to reach that mission/vision (the purpose of the search itself). In the truest sense, the interim time is a time of deep spiritual discernment and yearning for the continued presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit.Display PP #22 We place these tasks under the �self study� stage. The significance here is that this study process takes place before the PSC begins its work. The purpose of the study is to develop a profile of the congregation and a profile of a pastor. It does not make sense, in fact it is counterproductive, to be actively searching for a pastor while the congregation is establishing clarity of purpose and call (in order to share that mission/vision with candidates), as well as determining what kind of leader is needed in order to reach that mission/vision (the purpose of the search itself). In the truest sense, the interim time is a time of deep spiritual discernment and yearning for the continued presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

11. The Transition Team A group of trusted, respected, spiritually wise church leaders selected by the congregation to guide the process Representative of the entire congregation A model to the congregation - looking for God�s movement, will and purpose for the church The group to whom the intentional interim pastor is responsible Display PP #29 Intentional Interim Ministry is about the work of the congregation, not the interim pastor. To help given emphasis to that point, and to enhance the process, the church establishes a Transition Team. The Team is guided by the interim minister, and is the group who engages the congregation in the transitional work. Define the Transition Team Display PP #29 Intentional Interim Ministry is about the work of the congregation, not the interim pastor. To help given emphasis to that point, and to enhance the process, the church establishes a Transition Team. The Team is guided by the interim minister, and is the group who engages the congregation in the transitional work. Define the Transition Team

12. The Transition TeamObjectives Become a safe, trusting, and open group Customize the intentional interim process, tasks, and activities to fit the congregation�s needs Facilitate the congregation�s engagement of the interim work Lead the interim process, do not �run� the church Display PP #31 Present the objectives of the Team. Display PP #31 Present the objectives of the Team.

13. Distinctives of Intentional Interim Ministry Covenant Agreement: the Intentional Interim Minister comes to the church under a covenant agreement that establishes: an estimated time line (beginning and ending) expectations for the interim time Self-Study: the congregation agrees to engage in a thorough self-study that: focuses on five developmental or transitional tasks is aimed at discovering/discerning/clarifying God�s will and direction for the church Display PP #32 There are basically five distinctives between Intentional Interim Ministry and any other approach to the interim time. Display PP #32 There are basically five distinctives between Intentional Interim Ministry and any other approach to the interim time.

14. Benefits Of CallingAn Intentional Interim Minister Assists the church in seeking to discover, discern, and/or clarify God�s will and direction for the future Leads the congregation through an introspective experience - who are we and who do we think God wants us to be Prevents backlog of pastoral needs Provides stability during a period of change and helps the church visualize change Maintains momentum of the church Display PP #34 Describe the benefits of calling an Intentional Interim Minister. Display PP #34 Describe the benefits of calling an Intentional Interim Minister.