Call Process Booklet

Intentional Interim Ministry
Intentional interim ministry is a specialized ministry in the Church. In addition to acting
as a bridge between called pastors, covering the typical tasks of ministry, interim
pastors also lead the congregation through an extensive process of reflection and
planning for the future mission of the congregation. Interim pastors don’t bring a preset
mission for the congregation to adopt. They work to draw out the gifts and strengths of
the congregation in order for the people to see what God is calling them to be about.
This is difficult work. Most of our interim pastors have received extensive training from
the National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors (NALIP). They also bring unique
and personal gifts to their ministry. The process of reflection and planning is as different
as the pastors are. What is common to all intentional interim pastorates is the goal: to
energize congregations for mission in God’s world.
The Interim Task
To achieve this goal intentional interim ministers engage in these five specialized tasks:
1. Examine the history of the congregation and work through the transition dynamics
that usually follow the departure of a pastor. (Past)
2. Seek to confirm and identify current issues facing the congregation and develop
ways of dealing with them. (Present)
3. Develop a vision for the congregation’s mission. (Future)
4. Explore the congregation’s connections with synod, conference, churchwide
units, and the resources that may be available for ministry.
5. Prepare for the arrival of the new pastor.
All this may seem like so much busy work, but this process is intended to build on the
strengths of the congregation, celebrating the work that has been done, and preparing
for the work that will be done for the sake of the world. Additionally, the first four tasks
will help the transition team immensely as they fill out the forms necessary for the call
process.
The interim period is also a good time to address special issues unique to a given
congregation. One detail task that many congregations often address is updating their
constitution.
It is important to be clear from the start that interim pastors are not available to be
called as your next pastor. This is a strong encouragement from NALIP, adopted by the
Synod Council in September of 2007, and affirmed at Synod Assembly in 2009.
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Walking together † for the sake of mission † in God’s world
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