Bud Brown

Does your church need change or transformation?

Image credit: yeyen123rf / 123RF Stock Photo [dc]J[/dc]udas Iscariot was a changed man. In response to Jesus, Judas changed direction. He followed a new Rabbi. He heard an unlearned Galilean carpenter teach with authority. He witnessed miraculous deeds. He followed the debates with Israel’s scholars. Judas’ way of living changed. New behaviors were adopted. His

One more tool for the interim pastor’s kit

In my mind good books on applied pastoral theology are like power tools. Any excuse to buy another one is a good excuse! Thom Rainer’s Eating the Elephant: Leading the Established Church to Growth is an excellent tool that will help interim pastors and settled pastors clear a path toward a growing church. Image credit:

10 Reasons why interim ministry is a growth sector – Part 2

Image credit: dotshock / 123RF Stock Photo [dc]I[/dc]nterim pastors are ideally placed to help churches that have moved beyond the need for a fresh coat of paint. The number of churches that need significant redesign and remodeling is growing by leaps and bounds. Churches beset with internal strife, stagnant numbers and aging members can be

Interim pastors can ride the wave without getting swamped

Interim pastors sometimes find themselves called to a church without knowing that it is on the cusp of explosive growth. This happened to me once before and now it looks like I’m in for my second wild ride. Image credit: epicstockmedia / 123RF Stock Photo If rapid growth overtakes an ill-prepared church you (the interim

10 Reasons why interim ministry is a growth sector

Image credit: robynmac / 123RF Stock Photo “Intentional interim pastor” entered the American Church’s lexicon in the midâ€“1970s. Prior to that time, the term “interim pastor” was adequate to describe the itinerant vocation of supply preaching and administrative continuity while a church searched for its next settled pastor. But in the 1970s researchers and authors

Four dangers interim pastors face

I was recently delighted to hear that one of the men in the church I’m currently serving is “wild about your sermons.” I felt gratified and humbled, but only for a moment. Those momentary joys fled when I remembered that he is also wild about “Pawn Stars”, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and “Dumb and

Church mission statements aren’t found in a storm

Interim pastors often use brainstorming to push church mission statements forward. The process of clarifying mission, vision and values – so the thinking goes – makes it easier to identify the church’s primary purpose and the best strategy for moving into the future. So the thinking goes… I’m starting to wonder if those of us who serve

I learned to be a good interim pastor on a sailboat

A reverse Transpac from Honolulu to Santa Cruz, CA on a 32′ Westsail made me a better interim pastor. Image credit: mkperspective / 123RF Stock Photo I was on hiatus between churches when the call came. Someone had heard that I like sailing. Would I be available to help him relocate his boat from Ke’ehi

6 preaching mistakes interim pastors must avoid

Image credit: markusgann / 123RF Stock Photo Is there a preacher who hasn’t made a fair share of mistakes in the pulpit? Thom Rainer, a much loved and widely respected author and consultant, shares a story that shows he’s made of the same stuff as the rest of us. The sermon was one of Christ’s