Associational Mission Strategists (AMSs) are often asked to assist churches when one of their pastors leaves their church. They may be asked to fill the pulpit for one or more Sundays, train the Pastor Search Committee, and/or recommend Pulpit Supply, Interim Pastor Candidates, or Transitional Interim Pastor Candidates. They may even be asked to serve as the Interim Pastor, although some associations do not allow that option.
If you as an AMS are asked to serve as an Interim Pastor of one of your churches, be prayerful and seek wise counsel from your wife, your key leaders, and verify in your Bylaws and Job Description that it is permissible. If you can do it, and feel it is a wise use of your time, you also may want to set a time limit - such as six months - since your Interim Pastorate will keep you from preaching/attending other churches...especially on Sunday mornings.
Some helpful new resources have come out to help you help your churches - and your Interim Pastors.
The first is “The Church During the Search: Honoring Christ While You Wait for Your Next Pastor,” by Jason Lowe, AMS, Pike Association, Pikeville, KY. He has served as an interim pastor on multiple occasions over the last seven years during his ministry with the Pike County Association of Southern Baptists.
Church members are often left largely in the dark while the pastor search committee goes about their work, which can lead to unnecessary frustration, suspicion, and conflict. Jason’s goal is to prepare the church for the next pastor. He guides the congregation through the transition period. He speaks directly to the congregation instead of to pastor search committees or pastors coming to or leaving a church.
He says, “The idea is to prepare the church for how they can honor the Lord throughout this process. I’ve seen some churches do really well in transition season and seen some churches struggle.”
The second resource is a book by Dr. Tony Wolfe, Associate Executive Director, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, “While in Crete: A Biblical Agenda for Interim Pastors.”
This is a simple and practical guide for strong and effective interim pastors. Tony discusses the duties involved and how the Interim Pastor should prayerfully and diligently carry them out. He challenges Interim Pastors to focus on their biblical responsibilities and to steward them well. He uses the book of Titus in a very helpful way. He calls Titus “the New Testament’s Interim Pastor.” Chapter titles include Build Hope, Preach the Word, Set Things Upright, Teach and Model Biblical Pastoring, Guard the Truth, Inspire Biblical Christian Living, Build Good Rapport in the Community, and Leave Well.
I highly recommend both books, which are available on Amazon.
Your brother in Christ,
Ray
Pr. 3:5-6
Quotable Quote: A side gig can become a fun way to make some additional income. Consider looking for a side gig where your passion, skill set, and the opportunity to earn money collide. In my book, Find More Money, I call this the Trifecta. Never has it been easier to make money outside of your full-time work. So, consider getting a side gig. Art Rainer, 9.24.21, 4 Ways to Increase Your Personal Cash Flow
Some helpful new resources have come out to help you help your churches - and your Interim Pastors.
The first is “The Church During the Search: Honoring Christ While You Wait for Your Next Pastor,” by Jason Lowe, AMS, Pike Association, Pikeville, KY. He has served as an interim pastor on multiple occasions over the last seven years during his ministry with the Pike County Association of Southern Baptists.
Church members are often left largely in the dark while the pastor search committee goes about their work, which can lead to unnecessary frustration, suspicion, and conflict. Jason’s goal is to prepare the church for the next pastor. He guides the congregation through the transition period. He speaks directly to the congregation instead of to pastor search committees or pastors coming to or leaving a church.
He says, “The idea is to prepare the church for how they can honor the Lord throughout this process. I’ve seen some churches do really well in transition season and seen some churches struggle.”
The second resource is a book by Dr. Tony Wolfe, Associate Executive Director, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, “While in Crete: A Biblical Agenda for Interim Pastors.”
This is a simple and practical guide for strong and effective interim pastors. Tony discusses the duties involved and how the Interim Pastor should prayerfully and diligently carry them out. He challenges Interim Pastors to focus on their biblical responsibilities and to steward them well. He uses the book of Titus in a very helpful way. He calls Titus “the New Testament’s Interim Pastor.” Chapter titles include Build Hope, Preach the Word, Set Things Upright, Teach and Model Biblical Pastoring, Guard the Truth, Inspire Biblical Christian Living, Build Good Rapport in the Community, and Leave Well.
I highly recommend both books, which are available on Amazon.
Your brother in Christ,
Ray
Pr. 3:5-6
Quotable Quote: A side gig can become a fun way to make some additional income. Consider looking for a side gig where your passion, skill set, and the opportunity to earn money collide. In my book, Find More Money, I call this the Trifecta. Never has it been easier to make money outside of your full-time work. So, consider getting a side gig. Art Rainer, 9.24.21, 4 Ways to Increase Your Personal Cash Flow
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