Significant studies of thousands of interim congregations over the past 50 years show the interim period between pastors is an important time in community life. The way a faith community chooses to use the interim period will shape its growth, identity, and health for years to come.
Intentional Interim Ministry involves helping the members of the congregation share their feelings, fears, hopes and dreams with each other so that they can develop a spirit of excitement about the future. This is what we will be doing as the CBC congregation addresses its future through introspective study of five areas of a healthy faith community, known as the Five Focus Points:
- Heritage
- Mission
- Leadership
- Connections
- Future
Community Baptist Church has called Pastor Frank, an Intentional Interim Minister to help accomplish this work. Pastor Frank has completed specialized training in the dynamics of transition and serves at least two roles. First, as the interim pastor of the CBC, which includes preaching, teaching, pastoral care, staff teamwork, and administration. Secondly, working with a team of laypersons selected from the CBC congregation to lead the members though the focus points noted above. This is a group of trusted and respected CBC members who represent the entire congregation. They are recognized as spirituality wise persons who model how to look for God’s movement, will, and purpose.
When the introspective study is complete, the Community Baptist Church community will have a clear profile of itself and the kind of pastor it wants and needs to provide leadership for the future. This information will be shared with the membership and integrated into Pastoral Search process with the purpose of finding a pastor who matches the profile.
It is true that a congregation that does the crucial work of asking itself. “Who are we?” and “Who do we believe God wants us to be?” during the interim period can become stronger and better prepared to call and work with its next pastor. What is done in this transitional interlude impacts how well the new minister and congregation will form a solid ministry team.
One thing that has become absolutely clear is that the CBC congregation of yesterday will not be the same as the CBC congregation of tomorrow. This interim time provides a chance for CBC to improve its health, and to take advantage of this opportunity with a skilled interim minister to lead them.
COOR Team