August 3, 2011

It’s amazing how little you know about the inner workings of a church “AFTER (A Minister Leaves) AND BEFORE (A New One Arrives)

After and before.  After a Minister leaves and before another permanent minister arrives, there is an “in between” time, called an “interim” period in the life of the church.  How a church uses this time can be crucial to the ongoing life and vitality of the local church.
When the minister resigns from a church, often the first question asked by the members is, “What are we going to do now?”  The easiest response is, “Find a new permanent minister fast!”

All people experience loss and emptiness with the departure of a person who has served them, led them, ministered with them, befriended them, even disagreed and been at odds with them.  No matter what roles the minister has filled, it is hard to imagine going on as a local church without secure pastoral leadership.  Holes do not feel comfortable, therefore the tendency is to fill that “hole” as soon as possible with the first available and acceptable candidate.   However, this may not be practical or very wise.

A church without a minister is not just a vacancy, like an empty motel room awaiting the next occupant.  It continues to be a local church of faithful individuals who are seeking to grow in faith and to develop as community.  Although you may feel that your life together is short-circuited by the surprise of losing your minister, growth cannot be halted or set aside until your next minister arrives. Life will not wait.  The time between ministers is an essential part of the church’s life.  This period between the resignation of the minister and the arrival of another is called interim, the “in-between” time.

The interim can be one of the most challenging and stimulating times for the church.  It is temporary, usually from 8-18 months and thus has some limitations.  A church which understands interim ministry has unique opportunities for exploration and growth.  The interim minister can help guide a church in answering the questions, “What is God calling our congregation to be, and How do we get there?”

Following the resignation of a minister, for whatever reason, feelings begin to surface:  confusion, grief, fear, emptiness, distrust.  The leaders of the church may become the focus of many of these emotions and be a time when “dropouts” occur.

Life is never “status quo.”  Life will not wait to happen.  It keeps happening.  Therefore, considering an “interim” minister who can be a healer, a lover, a confronter, a listener, a “preparer” can be one of the most important things a local church can do.

Please pray for this process.     — The Interim Minister Search Committee