Interim pastors
An interim pastor is a minister who works with a congregation during a transition time after one pastor leaves and before a new pastor is called.
Tips for preparing a Personal Information Form for an interim pastor
Tips for preparing a Ministry Information Form for an interim Pastor
A study of the effectiveness of interim pastors
The Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists (APIMS) asked the PC(USA) Office of Research Services to conduct a study on the effectiveness of interim pastors in helping congregations. The study surveyed executive presbyters, COM chairs, clerks of sessions, and pastors who followed an interim. The study was completed in the fall of 2007 and the results are posted here.
What can a congregation expect from an interim pastor?
Like all pastors, Interim Pastors offer to the congregations they serve:
- Worship leadership and preaching
- Pastoral care
- Work with the session to provide for the life and ministry of the congregation
- Administrative work including supervision of other staff persons
- Staff support for programs and committees of the congregation
In addition, an Interim Pastor leads a congregation during the transition time after an installed pastor has departed, helping the congregation prepare to welcome the leadership of a new installed pastor. Interim Pastors understand the dynamics of a congregation in transition, including feelings of grief, loss, and, sometimes, relief or anger.
Interim pastors will help the session provide for continuity of essential programs, and may assist the session in assessing needs for changes in programs and ministries of the congregation.
Some interim pastors have special skills and experience that can help a congregation recover from a time of conflict or after the disclosure of clergy sexual misconduct or other trauma.
Ordinarily, an interim pastor is not eligible to serve as the next installed pastor, or co-pastor, or associate pastor of the congregation (G-2.0504c). The interim pastor may, if the session and the Committee on Ministry approve, work with the session in a mission study or assist the Pastor Nominating Committee in gathering data for the writing of the Church Information Form. With those possible exceptions, the interim pastor may not be involved in the work and discernment of the PNC.
A good interim pastor will “hit the ground running," beginning his/her time with the congregation with intensity and energy, and will leave with intentionality, engaging in a “good goodbye” with the congregation and its staff. A good interim pastor is fully present with the congregation from the beginning, and really leaves when she/he leaves.
What should you look for in a good interim pastor?
- Training through the Interim Ministry Consortium or the Interim Ministry Network (IMN)
- Participation in the Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists (APIMS) or IMN or both
- Experience as a pastor
- For experienced interim pastors, evidence of a good track record with congregations in transition. The best proof of good work by an interim pastor is a successful installed pastor
- Good references from presbytery staff, COM members, and/or elders in churches the Interim Pastor has served in the past
- Participation in continuing education that is not directly connected to interim ministry
Interim pastor education sites and transitional ministry
The Interim Ministry Consortium is the gathering of representatives from Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) related interim education sites and other entities directly concerned with Interim Pastor Education. These representatives work collaboratively to coordinate and improve the education of interim pastors.
Various Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) sites related to the Interim Ministry Consortium offer interim ministry education. Each Week 1 and Week 2 event offers the requisite 30 hours of education.
NOTE: Participants may attend Weeks 1 and 2 at different sites, providing 6 months elapse between Weeks 1 and 2. This allows participants to complete the Practicum requirements for week 2. Contact specific sites for additional information and registration.
2012 - 2013 Dates and Sites
Synod of Northeast/Princeton Seminary
Held in New York City
March 4 - 8, 2013
Weeks 1 and 2
Contact: Center for Continuing Education
(800) 622-6767, x7990
Synod of Sun/Austin Seminary
Austin, Texas
March 11 - 15, 2013
Weeks 1 and 2
Contact: Synod of Sun office
Toll free: (866) 381-7075
Synod of Trinity/Pittsburgh Seminary
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 11-15, 2013
Week 2
Contact: Continuing Education Office
(412) 924-1345
Synod of Mid-America/Lincoln Trails (MALT)
St. Louis, Missouri
May 6-10, 2013
Week 1 and 2
Contact: Kristi Miller
More Information
(800) 566-5996
Synods of Pacific, So. Calif., & Hawaii
Zephyr Point Conference Center
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
July 21-26, 2013
Weeks 1 and 2, Spouse Track
Contact: Joe Dalton, Program Office
(775) 588-1835
Montreat Conference Center
Montreat, North Carolina
August 25-30, 2013
Weeks 1 and 2, Spouse Track
Contact: Tracy Bailey
(800) 572-2257, x331
Ghost Ranch
Abiquiu, New Mexico
September 23-28, 2013
Week 1
Contact Stephen Picha
(877) 804-4678
Ghost Ranch website
Synod of Trinity/Pittsburgh Seminary
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
October 7 - 11, 2013
Week 1
Contact: Continuing Education Office
(412) 924-1345
Synod of Northeast/Princeton Seminary
Princeton, NJ
October 14 - 18, 2013
Weeks 1 and 2
Contact: Center for Continuing Education
(800) 622-6767, x7990
Synod of Mid-America/Lincoln Trails (MALT)
St. Louis, Missouri
October 28 - November 1, 2013
Week 1 and 2
November 1 - 4, 2013
Transitional Executive
Contact: Kristi Miller
More Information
(800) 566-5996
Union PSCE
Richmond, Virginia
November 11 - 15, 2013
Weeks 1 and 2
Contact: Marilyn Johns
(800) 229-2990 ext. 383
Synod of Northeast/Princeton Seminary
Held in New York City
March 10 - 14, 2014
Weeks 1 and 2
Contact: Center for Continuing Education
(800) 622-6767, x7990
Synod of Sun/Austin Seminary
Austin, Texas
March 2014
Weeks 1 and 2
Contact: Synod of Sun office
Toll free: (866) 381-7075
Synod of Trinity/Pittsburgh Seminary
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 31 - April 4, 2014
Week 2
Contact: Continuing Education Office
(412) 924-1345
Synods of Pacific, So. Calif., & Hawaii
Zephyr Point Conference Center
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
July 2014
Weeks 1 and 2, Spouse Track
Contact: Joe Dalton, Program Office
(775) 588-1835
Montreat Conference Center
Montreat, North Carolina
August 24-29, 2014
Weeks 1 and 2, Spouse Track
Contact: Tracy Bailey
(800) 572-2257, x331
Ghost Ranch
Abiquiu, New Mexico
September 2014
Week 1 TBD
Contact Stephen Picha
(877) 804-4678
Ghost Ranch website
Synod of Trinity/Pittsburgh Seminary
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
October 6 - 10, 2014
Week 1
Contact: Continuing Education Office
(412) 924-1345
Synod of Northeast/Princeton Seminary
Princeton, NJ
October 13 - 17, 2014
Weeks 1 and 2
Contact: Center for Continuing Education
(800) 622-6767, x7990
Synod of Mid-America/Lincoln Trails (MALT)
St. Louis, Missouri
November 3 - 7, 2014
Week 1 and 2
November 7 - 10, 2014
Transitional Executive
Contact: Kristi Miller
More Information
(800) 566-5996
Union PSCE
Richmond, Virginia
November 10 - 14, 2014
Weeks 1 and 2
Contact: Marilyn Johns
(800) 229-2990 ext. 383
