Interim Ministries

See "We Need a Pastor"

Securing an Interim Pastor

Interim Ministries-ABC recruits, screens and maintains a register of primarily American Baptist Pastors who have shown an interest and aptitude for interim leadership.
Regional Staff who work closest to each church personalize our services. All the churches, that make use of the program, benefit from three outside sources: the Interim Pastor, the Regional Staff and the personnel at the national office. Such collaboration ensures support, ready responses for problem solving and the security of multiple caring ABC leaders who want the church to thrive.

Research groups and energetic interim pastors have discovered the potential of in-between times. The particular dynamics of a church without a pastor are being matched with interim pastors free to lead differently. The specialized temporary leader, not vested in the past or future, can candidly assess and name the problem situations, help the congregation heal, grow and lead the church toward a new vision and new pastor.

Five General Tasks for the Interim

1. Dealing actively with a congregation’s history and heritage to ensure faithfulness to its past ministry as it prepares for the future.
2. Helping the congregation discover and claim its identity now.
3. Guiding the church through numerous adjustments that come from leadership changes.
4. Renewing and strengthening authentic, vital relationships with sister ABC churches and their ministries.
5. Preparing the congregation with strong hopes and a clear vision in welcoming the new pastor.