The goal of Interim Ministry training at the Center for Congregational Health, Inc.® is to prepare leaders to help congregations make the most of the time between the resignation of one pastor and the calling of another. We believe that what is done in this transitional interlude determines whether the new minister and congregation will form a solid ministry team. Since 1992, the Center has trained over 2,000 interim pastors who are serving congregations across the United States and Australia.
Our philosophy of interim ministry is based on the belief that by prayerfully asking the most basic questions of “who are we?” and “who is God calling us to be?” and “what type of pastor do we need?” faith communities can construct a realistic church profile and pastoral profile.
As interim ministers guide them through a process, a congregation and its leaders, with the Holy Spirit, do the work of identity clarification. Trained interim ministers use an interactive approach, either one on one, in small group or larger settings, to help faith communities engage in generative conversation by addressing five interrelated aspects of their congregational life – its heritage, mission, leadership, connections and future.
For those individuals interested in serving faith communities in the time between pastors, we offer two courses of training. Those who take both courses complete over 85 hours of residential training in a group setting and fieldwork in which participants practice and hone newly acquired skills.
Interim Ministry for Today’s Church is a three-day course filled with practical, generalized tools for guiding a church through the interim time. Participants receive help in understanding the transitions that congregations experience between pastors.
Intentional Interim Ministry Training equips interim pastors to lead a congregation through a systematic assessment of its pastoral needs and congregational goals prior to beginning the search for a new minister. This course prepares an interim minister to serve as both pastor and facilitator in a process of exploring a congregation’s heritage, mission, leadership, connections and future. Interim Ministry for Today’s Church is a pre-requisite for taking this more advanced course.
For faith communities facing an interim between pastors, the Center offers assistance in deciding how to use that important time. For those who decide to engage in the process of Intentional Interim Ministry, we provide a list of graduates of internationally recognized Intentional Interim Ministry training programs. We can also offer consulting during this period.