|
Interim Ministry is ministry between the
resignation date of one pastor and the beginning date of the next pastor.
Those pastors who serve during this transition period are called "interim
pastors".
In addition to word and sacrament ministry,
interim ministry may provide the following:
-
healing congregations that have recent or
long-term histories of conflict or face a particular crisis
-
enabling transition from the extended service
of a previous pastor to the new pastor
-
expediting any transition the congregation
must make as it responds to a changing context
-
matching the special skills of a pastor with
the special needs of a congregation in transition.
Steps to Follow
| 1. |
Upon the resignation of your pastor, contact
the synod office. |
| 2. |
In consultation with the synod staff person,
the congregational leaders will determine what level of service (full-time
or part-time) and what particular skills are needed in an interim pastor. |
| 3. |
Given the needs of the parish and the
availability of interims, the synod staff will discern who can best serve
the congregation. |
| 4. |
Synod staff will contact church council
president with the name of interim candidate to interview. Ideally, a meeting
will be scheduled between interim candidate, synod staff, and church leaders
to discuss ministry goals, compensation, and covenant. |
| 5. |
A covenant is agreed to by the interim
pastor, the congregation and the synod. |
| 6. |
When a call has been accepted and starting
date for the next pastor has been set, the church leadership meet with
the interim to work out the closure of the interim ministry. |
| 7. |
As a part of that closure, congregational
leaders and interim pastors are asked to evaluate the interim ministry.
|
|
