I recently received an email from an Associational Leader asking my opinion about him serving as Interim Pastor of one of his churches. His association allows him to do so for up to three months.
I told him I believe if he felt that serving as an Interim Pastor of one of his churches would prove helpful to them and not be too much of a hindrance to his ministry to the other churches, then do so.
I encouraged him to prayerfully and honestly answer the following questions, and perhaps ask his Moderator or another respected leader in his association for their perspective on these questions to help him make a wise decision.
1. Are you the best person - that you know - to serve as Interim Pastor of this church, at this time, or is someone else available who could do as good a job, or even a better job?
2. Is serving as Interim at this church the best use of your time on Sundays for the next three months?
3. If you accept, will you be committed both Sunday mornings and evenings, or just Sunday mornings?
4. If you accept, will the church allow you to skip Sundays when a sister church has a special occasion or need - such as a milestone anniversary - so that you can represent the association and present a plaque or fill the pulpit?
5. If you accept, will other churches start to ask you to be their Interim Pastor? If that were to happen, would you be able to turn down other church Interim Pastor requests because you need to spend adequate time attending and preaching in each church in the association in a timely manner?
I know of some DOMs who do Interims and who help nurture sick congregations back to health so they are able to call a pastor and better follow his leadership. But I don't think all DOMs are able to do that. It depends on how God has gifted you, what your experiences are, and whether you feel called to do that kind of ministry as a DOM.
Some associations do not allow interims, but most allow it with stipulations.
Where I serve, there are no guidelines, but I have not felt led to make myself available… at least not yet. Of course, with 80+ congregations, it takes me a long time to "make the rounds," as it is. I do preach regularly, however.
A middle ground to consider would be to fill the pulpit for a month at a time, and to recommend other guys that you know who would be on the same page as you are to help the church prepare for the next pastor without necessarily being the Interim Pastor.
What else would you recommend?
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
Pr. 3:5-6
Quotable Quote: Ask yourself how you can leverage your unique qualities as a leader to add value to people’s lives and accomplish the vision God has given you. Amplified Leadership, Dan Reiland, p. 15
I encouraged him to prayerfully and honestly answer the following questions, and perhaps ask his Moderator or another respected leader in his association for their perspective on these questions to help him make a wise decision.
1. Are you the best person - that you know - to serve as Interim Pastor of this church, at this time, or is someone else available who could do as good a job, or even a better job?
2. Is serving as Interim at this church the best use of your time on Sundays for the next three months?
3. If you accept, will you be committed both Sunday mornings and evenings, or just Sunday mornings?
4. If you accept, will the church allow you to skip Sundays when a sister church has a special occasion or need - such as a milestone anniversary - so that you can represent the association and present a plaque or fill the pulpit?
5. If you accept, will other churches start to ask you to be their Interim Pastor? If that were to happen, would you be able to turn down other church Interim Pastor requests because you need to spend adequate time attending and preaching in each church in the association in a timely manner?
I know of some DOMs who do Interims and who help nurture sick congregations back to health so they are able to call a pastor and better follow his leadership. But I don't think all DOMs are able to do that. It depends on how God has gifted you, what your experiences are, and whether you feel called to do that kind of ministry as a DOM.
Some associations do not allow interims, but most allow it with stipulations.
Where I serve, there are no guidelines, but I have not felt led to make myself available… at least not yet. Of course, with 80+ congregations, it takes me a long time to "make the rounds," as it is. I do preach regularly, however.
A middle ground to consider would be to fill the pulpit for a month at a time, and to recommend other guys that you know who would be on the same page as you are to help the church prepare for the next pastor without necessarily being the Interim Pastor.
What else would you recommend?
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
Pr. 3:5-6
Quotable Quote: Ask yourself how you can leverage your unique qualities as a leader to add value to people’s lives and accomplish the vision God has given you. Amplified Leadership, Dan Reiland, p. 15
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