Every church experiences a time when the previous pastor leaves and the congregation confronts the challenge of finding a new pastor for their church. The time of transition that begins when the former pastor is no longer present and the new pastor has not yet arrived is often a time of uncertainty. Regardless of whether the experience with the previous pastor was positive or negative, congregations feel like they are treading water waiting for their next spiritual leader. Seeking a new pastor can both be a time of anxiety and hope.

AN INTERIM’S TASK

In recent times, many congregations have engaged the services of an interim pastor to both provide them guidance and some continuity while they search. This book offers a creative possibility for how the congregation can make use of this transition time to encourage their next chapter of ministry to be strong and healthy.
The interim pastor is in a better position than almost anyone else to guide them in exploring that possibility. The ministry is a stressful calling that challenges a pastor’s health—physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, family, and vocational— and, ironically, the better and more compassionate a pastor is, the bigger the challenge. Because an interim pastor is not advocating for him or herself, s/he is in a better position than anyone to help the congregation both understand and be supportive of good ministry.

EDUCATING A CONGREGATION

This book is designed to assist an interim in leaving the congregation with an intentional plan for a healthy partnership with their new pastor. It offers specific steps that an interim can take to educate the congregation about the stresses and challenge of ministry. The book then provides a design to enable the leadership to plan for a healthier approach to working with the new pastor.

PART OF A SERIES

This is one of three volumes that are part of the series supporting the thesis that Healthy Clergy Make Healthy Congregations [HCMHC]. Each volume is designed to support clergy in a way that nurtures the spiritual health of the whole congregation. They are offered in the firm belief that God has called people together in congregations and called individuals to the ordained ministry in those congregations. All three volumes are available on Amazon.com. Those who care about the church are invited to go to the author’s Web site www.smccutchan.com to view these and other resources designed to support the church.