Convention Workbook

INTENTIONAL INTERIM MINISTRY
Report from Rev. Peter Alexander and
Rev. Dr. Richard Paul, Co-Directors,
Intentional Interim Ministry
Intentional Interim Ministry is a specialized,
pastoral ministry of Word and Sacrament in a
congregation who has lost her Pastor and
wishes to use this unique time in the most
positive and intentional way to set the
pathway for the next tenured pastor.
Intentional Interim Pastors are called,
ordained and trained in interim ministry and
are willing to focus upon preparing the way
for the next tenured Pastor. They have the
role and responsibility of a regular Pastor plus
the specialized and intentional process work
of the Interim Pastor.
Pastoral Intentional Interim Ministry takes
seriously the unique possibilities and positive
potential for constructive ministry offered in
the transition period–-an intentional approach
which intends to build up the congregation,
strengthen its mission, and enhance its health.
The congregation undergoing this process
understands that it is important to selfexamine
congregational dynamics, attitudes,
patterns and missional direction before
seeking a pastoral replacement.
Included in this process are:
• coming to terms with history;
• moving towards discovering a new
identity;
• working with healthy leadership change;
• strengthening denominational ties;
• and commitment to new directions of
ministry.
Intentional Interim Ministry, which began
nearly two decades ago under the visionary
leadership of Rev. R.Z. Meyer, continued
under the leadership of Pastor Mike
Brewer for the past 5 years until
September of 2011. In order to better
serve the congregations of the District,
Rev. Peter Alexander and Rev. Dr.
Richard Paul are sharing the
responsibilities as Co-Directors of the
District’s Interim Ministry Program. Peter
is currently working mostly with
congregations in Arizona and Nevada and
Richard with congregations in California.
Many congregations either have been
served by an IIM pastor, or are still being
served. Currently we have 4 serving in
Arizona, 2 in Nevada and 5 in California.
The Directors of IIM regularly work with
these congregations and pastors using a
consistent reporting system and periodic
visits. This ministry and process is always
under the jurisdiction of the District
President.
The face of training for this specialized
ministry has also changed. No longer is
training done on a local district level, but
rather men are being trained through a
national education program supported by
the Council of Presidents of the Synod.
This more intense training should go a
long way to strengthening the work of
Intentional Interim Ministry in our
District. Our District’s co-directors are
among the faculty of this Basic Education
Program.
In addition to receiving training, our Interim
Pastors participate in various continuing
education experiences to strengthen and
hone their skills. These experiences are
invaluable in refining skills and keeping our
interims on the cutting edge of transitional
ministry.
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