![]() If they follow a long-term pastorate, they give the congregation a chance to experience someone else as their pastor. If there has been conflict, they work to restore damaged relationships and create a more unified congregation. Shepherding a new phase of ministryĬalls to interim pastors parallel those given to all clergy, but these usually have specific mandates to deal with certain aspects of the congregation’s life. Often retired pastors serve as interims, bringing years of experience to congregations in transition. Training often includes such things as learning how to resolve conflicts, directing future-oriented planning and developing new congregational leadership. Ken Ruppar, executive director of the National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors (NALIP), said over the last 25 years the organization has trained 60 to 75 pastors on interim ministry every year. There are different kinds of training for those doing interim pastorates, although some take these assignments without special training. Yet many interims are just that-those who will serve congregations after a pastor leaves and until the new one arrives. When it looks like a congregation may not be able to fully support a pastor, she said the move to the next phase of its ministry may take several years and require the service of a pastor trained for such situations. Sarah Stumme, associate to the Metropolitan Chicago Synod bishop, oversees a working group on interim ministries. He said bishops in ELCA Region 1 (six synods covering Alaska, Washington, Idaho and Montana) often consider the interims as “redevelopment” or “transitional” pastors for congregations in need of guidance in making major changes necessary before calling someone permanently. ![]() Richard Jaech, bishop of the Southwestern Washington Synod, said “interim” can imply a very short-term arrangement for a congregation merely seeking another pastor. Some synods now downplay the word “interim” in order to stress the “transitional” nature of this kind of ministry. ![]() And there are hundreds more interim pastors with congregational calls to short-term service. Other congregations will call an interim for six months or a year rather than fill the pulpit with a different supply pastor every week and occasional visits from a nearby pastor with his or her own congregation to care for.Ĭurrently at least 400 pastors are serving interims under synodical calls, said ELCA Secretary Chris Boerger, who oversees the denomination’s rosters. Some synods may assign interim pastors, who serve under synodical supervision, to vacancies so someone is present to keep things functioning efficiently until the call process is completed, especially if the congregation faces grave problems. These are only some of the situations where a congregation may decide to call an “interim pastor,” someone specially trained or with a specific mandate to help members through a transition to a new pastor or kind of ministry. Or a shortage of pastors available for call can mean that your congregation faces a year or more without regularly called pastoral leadership. Maybe you aren’t sure what kind of pastor should be called, as the congregation takes a new look at its future, which will be very different from its past. Or perhaps your pastor left after serious conflict or following pastoral misconduct, and the congregation is almost torn apart about what to do and how to continue. This departure leaves people anxious and fearful about what lies ahead. Your pastor has retired after 25 or 30 years of strong and faithful service. “Interims want to help people through the transition period, understanding clearly their accountability to their baptismal covenant and whatever future their congregation may have.”
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