1.   How long do we expect to have an Interim minister?
The best information we have about interim periods for churches of this size and long pastorates, churches with our profile is 12 months to two years.  There are not as many people out there as you might expect, we have pretty definite ideas of what gifts and talents we might need, timing is an issue when we are in negotiations and there needs to be long enough in the Interim period for us to do some process work for the future and then of course the search for a permanent minister takes care and time.

2.  How long will it take to get an Interim?
We have been working for 9 weeks (meeting every week) now and are currently looking at profiles, but two candidates were already in final stages with other churches, we have decided not to pursue at least two other candidates, we are visiting and talking to others and are still receiving names from our Regional Minister.  Before we looked at profiles, we did a congregational profile, did a job description, had interviews with Stan and Olivia, had the Regional Minister orient us to the process, addressed the Leadership board, wrote a letter to the congregation, did the congregational profile, decided on a salary range and there is an article every week in the Thursday email.

3. How do you perceive the interaction between our Associate Minister and the Interim?
Both staff members have their own job descriptions and they will need to work out their relationship as any staff members would have to after a change. We have a Personnel Committee, Pastoral Relations committee, many skilled and committed church members.  There are a lot of variables in any new arrangement and hopefully we are all working towards a continuing goal of “being Church.” We can all participate in this time by being as kind as we can be, patient, supportive and participating in the work that needs to be done.

Our prayers and sensitivity are needed.  Please stop by the display to talk to a committee member on any Sunday with questions and comments.

- The Interim Minister Search Committee

How does the candidate get an understanding of our church and its ministry?
First of all, Susan Gonzales Dewey has called each candidate to see if they want their profile submitted.  At that point she describes the congregation from her point of view.  We send the candidates our five page Congregational Profile (much of this is demographic data and this includes the questionnaire that was filled out in worship), a copy of the budget, a bulletin, a Church Life, the past Five Year Plan, the Constitution, and maybe most helpful, the Yearly Report, which details our programs, our committee work, our priorities.  The candidate has access to the General Church’s Yearbook.  We have a conference call and hopefully an onsite visit.

How does Stan interface with the Interim Minister?
Stan is going to do a response to this question in the next Church Life.  There are indeed guidelines to what is appropriate for this transition.

What if we find that we are not compatible with the Interim?
Certainly, we hope that everyone will give the new person TIME…to get to know us, and for us to understand and welcome him or her.  The work of an Interim and the change of leadership will take time, patience, and kindness.  After time, if this is not working, we have the same criteria for dealing with issues as we would have for any staff member…there is a Personnel Committee, a Pastoral Committee, and the Leadership Board.

IF YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS, THERE IS A TABLE IN COURTYARD WHERE YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS THE NEXT FEW SUNDAYS OR EMAIL THEM TO THE CHURCH OFFICE (orange1st@fccorange.com).

- The Interim Minister Search Committee

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

The Interim Minister Search Committee has been established.  As per our constitution, the committee is made up of 5 members of FCCO.  Pat Messenger was appointed to Chair the committee and the remaining members are Michelle Stillson, David Burch, Barbara Post and Gabe Spuckes.
Co-Minister of Southwest Region, Susan Gonzales Dewey attended the first meeting and reviewed the Interim search process.  It was recommended that due to the size and activity level of our Church it would be best to look for a Full Time Interim Minister.
The committee will meet weekly and will update our Congregation on a regular basis.  Susan has agreed to attend the August Leadership meeting to make a presentation about the process and the duties of the Search Committee.
Moving forward, we would ask that the Congregation continue to lift up this committee in prayer.
Gabriele Spuckes, Moderator

With the retirement of our minister, Stan, the Interim Search Committee has been charged with finding an interim minister.  This person will be “in between” the ministry of Stan and whoever will come to be our permanent minister.  This step will allow us to grieve, to do self-study, evaluate, to assess needs and hopes and help us set goals.
The Interim Committee…

• Is meeting every week and inviting you to Pray with us during the process.  Please feel free to approach any member of the committee for information and/or ask questions.
• Has met with the Co-Minister of the Pacific Southwest Region…Susan Gonzales Dewey.  She has provided information for us to understand the role of the interim and to understand our responsibilities for filling the position and guide us in the process.
• Has read the job descriptions for our minister and associate minister and will be updating them for the interim period.
• Will be filling out a Congregational Profile in order to give the interim an idea of who we are and what our strengths are.  We will be doing this with some of our leadership and others in the congregation.  When the interim arrives, that person will do this process much more completely while we search for a permanent minister.
• Will accept names of candidates, review forms, interview and present a candidate to the Leadership Board.  (Our constitution does not require a congregational vote for position of Interim Minister.)
• Will, hopefully, have a person in place as soon as possible, but we were advised to “not rush, not panic.“  This person will be full time, a person with experience and training in how to help congregations transition.

We have been blessed for 19 years with a superb minister.  Stan has guided this congregation through growth in understanding of our Biblical imperatives and service.  He has shared our losses and illnesses, our celebrations of life and our ministry to the community, the region.  He has a global understanding of the place of church.  Persons have gone forth from here to lead and flourish in their homes and neighborhoods.  Our doors are open to diverse people and ideas and he has educated and strengthened our “faith” in countless ways.  We are grateful for Stan and will look for the best interim we can find to do this work which bridges his ministry and our future leader.

The Interim Search Committee is Pat Messenger (Chairperson), Michelle Stillson, Barbara Post, Gabe Spuckes, and David Burch.