Five Developmental Tasks of Intentional Interim Ministry
Research with many congregations of various kinds has indicated that predictable dynamics happen in churches during times of leadership transition.
Five basic areas need addressing.
- Coming to Terms with HistoryFollowing a minister’s leaving for whatever reason, a congregation usually needs to resolve its feelings: loss, grief, anger, relief, guilt, panic about the future. “Letting go” of that minister is a critically important task for a congregation as it begins to prepare for a new pastoral leader. In addition, churches sometimes have “old issues” or conflicts which never were fully resolved and which tend to re-surface in unsettled times. A congregation needs to be released from any inappropriate or crippling power of the past, in order to be fully ready for a future with a new leader.
- Discovering a New IdentityOften congregations have a strong self-image, positive or negative, which may or may not truthfully reflect present realities. This task, therefore, calls for a careful self-assessment by a congregation, so that it can envision more clearly what it wishes to become.
- Strengthening Patterns of Lay LeadershipCongregations in an interim time often experience shifts in power of leadership among the laity, depending upon the relationships of individuals to the former minister. This is also a time for considering whether, as a whole, patterns of lay involvement in the church are healthy or unhealthy, empowering or disempowering for most of the congregation. The task is to see that lay leadership develops in positive and creative ways for the good of the whole church.
- Strengthening Denominational TiesDuring the interim period, congregations find themselves working more closely than usual with the denomination, particularly with conference staff and resources. A prime opportunity exists to reinforce and strengthen a local congregation’s sense of belonging to the wider church.
- Preparing for New LeadershipThis task is to strengthen the church’s capacity to accept new leadership and commit to the new pastor, working to be a growing, changing, forward-looking congregation.