Call Process Booklet

Disengagement from the Interim Period
The last of the major tasks of interim pastors is to prepare for the next pastor. This
includes making sure that the basics of the office of ministry are handed off cleanly
(visitation lists, confirmation curriculum, etc.), that the lay leadership of the congregation
is committed to continuing the work begun in the self-assessment, and that the
congregation welcomes the new leader with open arms and a loving spirit.
God’s
work.
Our
hands.
After the candidate has announced that they will accept the call and have signed the
Letter of Call, the interim period begins to wind down.
Interim pastors often conduct an exit interview with the Congregation Council or a
larger segment of the congregation. This is a way to review the call process and to see
how far the congregation has come during the interim period. The Congregation
Council should also evaluate the interim period and share insights with their synod staff
contact person.
Once the Congregation Council has negotiated the starting date with the new pastor,
they should coordinate the schedule of the next few weeks with their interim pastor. It is
wise to allow one or two Sundays between the end of the interim pastor’s work and the
beginning of the new pastorate. Plan to appropriately celebrate the ministry of the
interim pastor, while also preparing for the reception of the new pastor.
The same expectations for clear boundaries regarding pastoral acts also applies to
interim pastors: they should not engage in any sacramental or ministry work with
members of the congregation following their last official day.
Walking together † for the sake of mission † in God’s world
944 24 ¼ Street • PO Box 107 • Chetek, WI 54728 • 715-859-6810 • Fax 715-859-6812 • www.nwswi.org
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