Temporary Shepherds: A Congregational Handbook for Interim Ministry

Roger S. Nicholson

Rowman & Littlefield, Sep 1, 1998 - Religion - 205 pages

Effective interim ministry depends on strong partnership between the interim minster and congregation. Lay leaders of congregations preparing for such a transition will value the expert guidance provided by over a dozen experienced interim pastors. What is interim ministry all about? What needs to happen during the interim? What should leaders and members expect from the interim pastor and themselves during this transition? What other resources are available for congregations?

Contents

• The Challenge of the Interim Time: 3
• Characteristics of the Interim Congregation: 14
• The Church in Transition as a Human System: 26
• Understanding Conflict and Power: 39
• The Interim Minister A Special Calling: 52
• The Interim Journey: 63
• Coming to Terms with History: 65
• Discovering a New Identity: 75
• Leadership Changes during an Interim: 87
• Renewing Denominational Linkages: 99
• Commitment to New Directions in Ministry: 108
• Framing the Journey: 119
• The Biblical and Theological Basis for Interim Ministry: 121
• Ethical Dimensions of the Interim Time: 131
• Tools for the Journey: 141
• The Transitional Steering Team: 143
• Bible Studies for the Journey: 146
• Engaging the Developmental Tasks: 165
• Resources for Congregational SelfStudy and Planning: 174
• What Is the Interim Ministry Network?: 176
• Developing an Interim Ministry Covenant or Contract: 177
• Why Should the Interim Pastor Not Be a Candidate for the Permanent Call?: 180
• Litanies of Welcome and Farewell to the Interim Pastor: 182
• Form for the Evaluation of the Interim Pastor: 184
• Form for the Evaluation of the Interim Process: 188
• NOTES: 192
• BIBLIOGRAPHY: 197
• CONTRIBUTORS: 203

About the author

Roger S. Nicholoson is a retired United Church of Christ minister who has served the Connecticut Conference of the UCC as an intentional interim pastor and minister-at-large. He served as a senior pastor at South Congregational Church in East Hartford, Connecticut, for 22 years. He is an active member of the Interim Ministry Network and a member of its faculty.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Temporary Shepherds: A Congregational Handbook for Interim Ministry
• Editor: Roger S. Nicholson
• Edition: revised
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield, 1998
• ISBN: 1566996465, 9781566996464
• Length: 205 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Christian Ministry / General