PC(USA) - Ministers - Interim Pastors


	Interim Pastors Highlights What can a congregation expect from an Interim Pastor? What should you look for in a good Interim Pastor? Interim Pastor Training 2008 Dates and Sites 2009 Dates and Sites An Interim Pastor is a minister who works with a congregation during a transition time after one pastor leaves and before a new pastor is called. Search Process by an Interim Pastor Preparing a Church Information Form for an Interim Pastor Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists (APIMS) A Study of the Effectiveness of Interim Pastors The Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists (APIMS) asked the PC(USA) Office of Research Services to conduct a study on the effectiveness of Interim Pastors in helping congregations. The study surveyed executive presbyters, COM chairs, clerks of sessions, and pastors who followed an interim. The study was completed in the fall of 2007 and the results are posted here. Summary – A Study of the Effectiveness of Interim Pastors A Survey of Presbytery Executives A Survey of Chairs of Committees on Ministry A Survey of Clerks of Session of Congregations that Had an Interim Pastor A Survey of Pastors Who Followed an Interim Pastor What can a congregation expect from an Interim Pastor? Like all pastors, Interim Pastors offer to the congregations they serve: Worship leadership and preaching Pastoral care Work with the session to provide for the life and ministry of the congregation Administrative work including supervision of other staff persons Staff support for programs and committees of the congregation In addition, an Interim Pastor leads a congregation during the transition time after an installed pastor has departed, helping the congregation prepare to welcome the leadership of a new installed pastor. Interim Pastors understand the dynamics of a congregation in transition, including feelings of grief, loss, and, sometimes, relief or anger. Interim Pastors will help the session provide for continuity of essential programs, and may assist the session in assessing needs for changes in programs and ministries of the congregation. Some Interim Pastors have special skills and experience that can help a congregation recover from a time of conflict or after the disclosure of clergy sexual misconduct or other trauma. An Interim Pastor will not be a candidate to be called as pastor. The Book of Order (G-14.0513b) says that an Interim Pastor may not be called to be the next installed pastor. The Interim Pastor may, if the session and the Committee on Ministry approve, work with the session in a mission study or assist the Pastor Nominating Committee in gathering data for the writing of the Church Information Form. With those possible exceptions, the Interim Pastor may not be involved in the work and discernment of the PNC. A good Interim Pastor will “hit the ground running," beginning his/her time with the congregation with intensity and energy, and will leave with intentionality, engaging in a “good goodbye” with the congregation and its staff. A good Interim Pastor is fully present with the congregation from the beginning, and really leaves when she/he leaves. What should you look for in a good Interim Pastor? Training through the Interim Ministry Consortium or the Interim Ministry Network (IMN) Participation in the Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists (APIMS) or IMN or both Experience as a pastor For experienced Interim Pastors, evidence of a good track record with congregations in transition. The best proof of good work by an Interim Pastor is a successful installed pastor Good references from presbytery staff, COM members, and/or elders in churches the Interim Pastor has served in the past Participation in continuing education that is not directly connected to Interim Ministry Interim Pastor Training The Interim Ministry Consortium is the gathering of representatives from Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) related interim education sites and other entities directly concerned with Interim Pastor Education. These representatives work collaboratively to coordinate and improve the education of Interim Pastors. Various Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) sites related to the Interim Ministry Consortium offer Interim Ministry education. Each Week 1 and Week 2 event offers the requisite 30 hours of education. NOTE: Participants may attend Weeks 1 and 2 at different sites, providing 6 months elapse between Weeks 1 and 2. This allows participants to complete the Practicum requirements for week 2. Contact specific sites for additional information and registration. 2008 Dates and Sites Synods of Pacific, So. Calif., & Hawaii/Zephyr Point Conference Center Lake Tahoe, Nevada July 13–18, 2008 Weeks 1 and 2, Spouse Track Contact: Lynne Morton (775) 588-1835 Synod of Alaska-Northwest Seattle, Washington August 3-8, 2008 Weeks 1 & 2 Contact: Alma Jean Marion (206) 448-6403 Montreat Conference Center Montreat, North Carolina August 24–29, 2008 Weeks 1 & 2, Spouse Track Contact: Tracy Bailey (800) 572-2257, x331 More information Georgia Cluster Atlanta, Georgia September 22-26, 2008 Week 1 Contact: Dolores Candy (770) 946-4276, x26 Synod of Northeast/Princeton Seminary Princeton, N.J. October 6–10, 2008 Week 1 and 2 Contact: Center for Continuing Education (800) 622-6767, x7990 Synod of Trinity/Pittsburgh Seminary Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania October 6–10, 2008 Week 1 Contact: Barb Grogan (412) 362-5610, x2196 Synod of Mid-America/Lincoln Trails (MALT) St. Louis, Missouri October 27–31, 2008: Weeks 1 and 2 October 31 — November 3, 2008: Interim Executive Training Contact: Mary Sue Thomas (800) 754-0671 Union PSCE Richmond, Virginia November 17-21, 2008 Weeks 1 & 2 Contact: Ken McFayden (800) 278-4300 2009 Dates and Sites Georgia Cluster Atlanta, Georgia January 12-16, 2009 Week 1 & 2 Contact: Dolores Candy (770) 946-4276, x26 Synod of Sun/Austin Seminary Austin, TX March 16-20, 2009 Weeks 1 and 2 Contact: Synod of Sun office (866) 381-7075 Synod of Trinity/Pittsburgh Seminary Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania April 21-24, 2009 Week 2 Contact: Jim Davison (412) 362-5610, x2196 Synod of Mid-America/Lincoln Trails (MALT) St. Louis, Missouri May 5-8, 2009 Weeks 1 and 2 Contact: Mary Sue Thomas (800) 754-0671 Synods of Pacific, So. Calif., & Hawaii/Zephyr Point Conference Center Lake Tahoe, Nevada July 19-24, 2009 Weeks 1 and 2, Spouse Track Contact: Lynne Morton (775) 588-1835 Synod of Alaska-Northwest Seattle, Washington August 2-7, 2009 Weeks 1 & 2 Contact: Alma Jean Marion (206) 448-6403 Montreat Conference Center Montreat, North Carolina August 23-28, 2009 Weeks 1 & 2, Spouse Track Contact: Tracy Taylor (800) 572-2257, x331 Synod of Trinity/Pittsburgh Seminary Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania October 5-9, 2009 Week 1 Contact: Jim Davison (412) 362-5610, x2196 Synod of Northeast/Princeton Seminary Princeton, NJ October 5-9, 2009 Week 1 & 2 Contact: Center for Continuing Education (800) 622-6767, x7990 Union PSCE Richmond, Virginia November 16-20, 2009 Weeks 1 & 2 Contact Ken McFayden (800) 278-4300 Synod of Mid-America/Lincoln Trails (MALT), St. Louis, Missouri November 2-6, 2009 Weeks 1 and 2 November 6-10, 2009 Interim Executive Training Contact: Mary Sue Thomas (800) 754-0671


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