Your interim, developmental, or other transitional minister holds an important role not just preparing the congregation for a new minister, but as a support for the search team.
Interim as Chaplain
An interim minister can support the search team as a chaplain. Often, the interim minister has a brief check-in with the search team (during the first 10-15 minutes of a search team meeting, for example) to provide pastoral support. They might initiate discussions about the balance between search teamwork and the rest of life, or about current
frustrations and joys in the work
If the search team is particularly engrossed in the search process, the interim can help the team stay connected with the ongoing congregational life, sharing news of recent events or dynamics in the congregation (without breaking confidences) that may be outside of the team’s awareness.
Interim as Resource
Interim ministers can offer useful feedback as the search team fills out the congregational record in the MinistrySearch system. They are good practice partners for mock interviews with the search team. They can also consult with the team about developing good practices of communication and discernment.
The interim minister cannot discuss or answer questions about particular applicants, lest they influence the search team’s discernment and judgment.
Interim as Collegial Thought Partner
Searching ministers should contact the current interim minister to inquire about the congregation as part of their discernment process.
- Interim ministers should answer questions they are directly asked.
- Search teams may ask prospective ministers if they have talked with the interim minister.
- Interim ministers may tell search teams how many ministers have contacted them.
- The interim minister may meet with ministers during pre-candidating weekends if the schedule allows. The interim minister should meet with the candidating minister(s) during or before the candidating week.
- The interim minister should covenant with the newly called minister(s) on how to support and not overburden the colleague during the transition time.
Related Article
Interim or Transitional Ministry before a Settled Search
Congregations that have a two-year interim ministry between settled ministries give themselves time to process the previous ministry and get ready for the next ministry.