Interim pastors serve a unique role. A church calls an interim pastor for a fixed period of time to deal with a defined set or problems. The interim pastor may be hired to provide pulpit supply while the search committee looks for the next pastor. An interim pastor could be retained to provide leadership during a period of major change such as a building program. Interim pastors may also be hired to deal with difficult problems the congregation can’t handle such as a power struggle between important players, conflict resolution or resolving severe financial challenges.

In most cases an interim pastor needs specialized training that most pastors won’t receive as part of a seminary education. The need for special interim pastor training was reinforced for us recently.

Interim pastor is a unique ministry

Bill Gray, a TMG board member,  delivered a plenary address at a training conference convened by our colleagues at Interim Pastor Ministries. Bill spoke about the uniqueness of the interim pastor’s ministry. After the session a friend approached Bill to touch bases. It was an old friend with a long and distinguished career as a senior pastor. He had been entertaining the idea of moving to interim ministry.

They discussed the surprising differences between interim pastor ministry and the ministry of permanent pastors. Bill asked him to write down his impressions and his new understanding of what it means to be an interim pastor. With minor editing for readability, here is what he learned about what it means to be an interim pastor:

1. The interim pastor’s primary job is to make the church as healthy as possible for the new lead pastor.
2. Interim pastors focuses on that task and avoid denominational issues they may disagree with.
3. An Interim pastor must train leaders and not worry about developing long term relationships with church members.
4. People are nervous during transition so the interim pastor must communicate in ways that put the members at ease.
5. The interim pastor must communicate optimism and positive attitude about what God is doing in the church frequently.
6. The interim pastor needs to manage staff expectations and allay their fears.
7. The interim pastor must insure that any staff member desiring to become lead pastor is allows the process to unfold at its own pace.
8. Matthew 18 meetings may be a regular event so the interim pastor must be firm and forthright in church discipline.
9. Interim pastors must protect information until it is fully developed and ready for congregational consumption.
10. Interim pastors should continually look for new ways to create excitement and highlight even small wins.

Interim pastors need specialized training

The best way to make a smooth transition from vocational pastoral ministry to interim ministry is to get the right training. Contact our friends at Interim Pastor Ministries and let them know you’d like to attend their next training. You’ll get the training you need (we’ll be there to help with that part of it) and help with placement in an interim ministry that’s right for you.

What training have you had, interim pastor?

Let us know what your training experience has been. What was helpful and what did you have to pick up on the job?