The Role of an Interim Pastor: How to Help a Church Through the Process of Change in Pastoral Leadership

Lee Kliewer

Reprinted with permission from Paraklesis Fall 2010.

When I came to BBS in 1998, after 20 years in pastoral ministry, I had no doubt God was leading me here. I was looking forward to being part of a team shaping a new generation of men to be servant-leaders for the church.

I enjoyed the ministry God gave me as a pastor, especially opportunities to get close to people, be involved in discipleship, and see a body of believers grow in their walk with and service to God. So when I approached the time for a change in ministry and focus I wondered: Would I miss being a pastor? The answer was “yes,” but God answered the longing in my heart with a great opportunity to combine my new role with continuing involvement in local church pastoral ministry: the role of being an interim pastor to churches going through the process of a change in pastoral leadership.

Soon after coming to BBS I learned a church I had previously served was losing their pastor. The deacons asked me to serve as interim pastor and assist them in the coming search process.

What a fantastic opportunity. I was able to go back to a church body I loved and assist them for nine months in areas that would help the church grow and prepare for their next pastor. Once this church cleared that process, which culminated in the calling of a new pastor, I found there were many churches going through similar circumstances.

Through the Church Relations Department at BBC&S and assistance from church fellowship leaders in various states, other contacts were made with churches needing similar assistance.

Discussion

A pastor's friends

Kevin Miller
I’ve heard it said in the past that a pastor should not have really close friendships with people in their own congregation. That if they do, then others may assume the pastor is showing favoritism. Is that a legitimate concern or is it an overblown worry?

I’m not a pastor myself, but I personally think that everybody in the church should make an effort to develop really close friendships with the other people in church, and that would include the pastor.

Discussion

Homosexuality okay at my Church

Guest

Yesterday during a vote in my church to remove a Homosexual woman from membership 40% of the church voted to keep her as a member (which is what happened), and some of those on the deacon board suggested from the open mic that removing her would be moving the church in a Fundamentalist direction. I was so saddened by what happened yesterday. But the truth is that the senior pastor needs prayer, as I am sure there are those on the deacon board that want him out for preaching the Bible, and for suggesting this homosexual be removed from membership .

Discussion

This Is Christmas

JoshuaGoodling
The 2010 “This Is Christmas” special section is now live on my http://www.inspiritnews.com: inspiritnews.com website.

I am printing special postcards to announce the Christmas Section, and am making them available to anyone who would like some to hand out and help me reach others with the Real Reason for the Christmas Holiday…..the celebration of the birth of our Wonderful Saviour.

Discussion