“Keeping the Faith in the Interim Time;

Thoughts, Views and Opinions from your Interim Vicar”

(Developmental Task #5 Commitment to New Directions in Ministry)

How a congregation reacts to the simple word “new” can make a great difference in how it has prepared itself to begin its work with a new settled pastor. Is there a sense of excitement about the direction and the goals the congregation has committed to with a new rector/vicar or is there a great feeling of caution and anxiety about how the new pastor will work out? Parishes that have a difficult time in maintaining an attitude of “openness” during the interim time will also find it difficult to make a commitment to new directions in ministry with a new pastoral leader.

It is important during the interim time that not only the transition and search committees, but the entire congregation as well, continue to ask, “What have we learned about ourselves that will help us to be ready and eager to embrace new pastoral leadership?” and “Are we ready to begin our relationship with a new pastor on a new basis?” There are some congregations which may try to minimize the seriousness of the interim time and may even believe that they need to get on with things and call a new pastor as soon as possible. Other congregations will carefully prepare themselves to be ready for a new pastoral relationship and a new ministry and are able to make a long term commitment to new directions in their ministry.

As the self-study phase of the interim time draws to a conclusion, and the data from the parish’s past history as well as the data from a well-designed questionnaire is analyzed, the parish profile (which will be circulated and read by potential candidates) is written and approved. At this point there may be an increase in the level of anxiety in the congregation. What will happen to us now? How will we know that we have called the right person when the time comes? How will we deal with the potential changes new leadership will bring to this church?

These are all good and thoughtful questions and need to be addressed openly and honestly. The search consultant and interim pastor have been through this many times before and can prove themselves to be invaluable. This is the time to use all the resources that are available in both the diocese and the national church to the fullest advantage. Search committees and congregations should not be adverse to get all the outside assistance they can during this time. It is very helpful to contact other congregations in the diocese who have recently completed their process and have called a new vicar or rector who has energized them to be engaged in planning future ministries together.

During this last phase of the interim task and as the search committee begins to call a new pastor, closure should take place with the interim pastor and the ministry that he or she has performed. The interim’s special tasks and projects will be concluded and all incomplete projects or tasks will be handled in such a way that people do not feel discouraged or that the interim time was wasted. The interim pastor will bring closure also to the personal relationships that he or she has with parish leaders and members of the congregation. One way to bring about closure with the interim time is by celebrating the progress and accomplishments of all who helped to bring them about. Usually there is a farewell liturgy as the interim pastor leaves and both the interim and the search committees are honored for the work they have completed, thus marking an end to this phase of the transition time.

All that then remains is to eagerly anticipate the arrival of the new pastor and new directions in ministry in which the congregation and leaders, both lay and ordained will be occupied. “Behold, I make all things new!” Jesus said, and he is continually renewing us and our congregation to make us “doers of the Word”.

Your faithful servant in the Lord,

The Reverend Barry Miller