Coaching For Interims

Are You Wired for Interim Ministry? My Why for Interim Ministry & Thoughts for Those Thinking of Entering Interim Ministry - Rev. Dr. Jill Small. Episode 86

As the need for skilled interim ministers continues to grow, more and more settled ministers as well as those new to ministry, are wondering if interim ministry is for them – if they are perhaps being Called to this specialized type of ministry. Long-time interim minister and Bible wonk, Rev. Dr. Jill Small, brings a fun perspective to this conversation by examining the connection between biblical exegesis and interim ministry.
For a transcript of this episode, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website. In addition, subscribe to this podcast series if you want to be notified when additional podcasts are available.

How a Part-time Pastorate Can Be Practical and Life-giving for Creative Gig Workers - Rev. Jeff MacDonald. Episode 85

More and more congregations find themselves facing the reality that they can only afford a part-time minister. Often, they see this as a negative – a failure of sorts. And yet, for creative gig workers such as independent contractors, freelance writers and the like, who also feel called to pastoral ministry - a part-time pastorate can create a grounded and stable life! It can also be empowering for the parishioners. In other words, this arrangement can be life-giving for both pastor and congregation. As a freelance and accomplished journalist and part-time ordained minister, Rev. Jeff MacDonald speaks to the details of this emerging ministry option in this episode titled, “How a Part-Time Pastorate Can Be Practical and Life-Giving for Creative Gig Workers.”
For a transcript of this episode, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website. In addition, subscribe to this podcast series if you want to be notified when additional podcasts are available.

Know Your Options for a Future with Hope - Rev. Dr. Todd Yonkman. Episode 84.

When the energy, resources of a congregation have declined to a critical point, shame and blame often rear their ugly heads and morale sinks. People often think their only option is to cease operations – to close their doors. However, these conditions can hinder them from seeing other options – creative options. Hopeful options. Options in line with their purpose and mission as a community of faith.
In this episode titled, “Know Your Options for a Future with Hope,” Rev. Dr. Todd Yonkman, shares wisdom from his own experience about the details of some of these options and how they give authentic hope.
When the energy gets low, churches often don’t know there are other options to closing;
Thoughts on various options: merger restart, adoption, consolidation, redevelopment…;
Barrier for vitality is shame and blame;
Avoiding the “Twin Titanic” model (throwing a rope from one sinking congregation to another);
Key to church mergers: learn to love other things together;
The challenge of trying to do vitality work and consolidation work at the same time;

Overcoming Resistance to Thriving in a Part-Time Pastorate - Rev. Jeff MacDonald. Episode 83

Although counterintuitive, the move from a full-time pastorate to a part-time one can release untapped vitality within the congregation when resistance is recognized and creatively engaged. Jeff MacDonald, an accomplished freelance journalist and committed part-time interim minister, speaks to this challenge in this episode titled, “Overcoming Resistance to Thriving in a Part-Time Pastorate.”
How the pastor can overcome resistance by the laity;
How can a pastor help a congregation move beyond the resistance that just comes up when, when change is in the air;
Being intentional rather than reactionary in the move to a part-time pastorate;
Questions to help the laity get clear about their roles in the move to a part-time  pastorate;
Key questions to ask yourself to understand how your pastorate is structured now;
Formal vs. unspoken expectations and their consequences;
Allowing the laity to do what they’ve long been authorized to do but don’t realize it;
Helping the laity to see that there’s actually very little that is doable only by the pastor;
Seeing the pastor as a strategic resource to advance the mission of the congregation;
Why being clear about the congregation’s mission is so essential to a successful part-time pastorate;

Preaching During the Interim Time - Rev. Philomena Hare. Episode 82

When asked about the nature of the interim time, a colleague responded that in addition to the specialized transitional tasks of the interim time, there are also all the tasks of regular ministry – and all of it is compressed in time and intensity. That said, preaching during the interim time takes on additional energy and focus. Rev. Philomena Hare, a long-time pastor with experience as both a settled pastor and as an intentional interim minister, speaks to her three themes of interim ministry: Hope, Promise and Living in the Wilderness in this episode titled, “Preaching during the Interim Time.”
My 3 themes: Hope, Promise and Living in the Wilderness
God has something new for you!
Using the Lectionary can actually support the interim themes
For a transcript of this episode, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website. In addition, subscribe to this podcast series if you want to be notified when additional podcasts are available.

Preaching During the Interim Time - Rev. Dr. Jill Small. Episode 81

Should preaching during the interim time be any different from preaching during a time of settled ministry? If so, how? In this episode titled, “Preaching During the Interim Time,” Rev. Dr. Jill Small shares what she does to help make interim time preaching meaningful and supportive of the transition goals.
Making preaching more meaningful during the interim time;
Exposing the congregation to different voices and styles;
Why I continue to preach from the Lectionary.
For a transcript of this episode, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website. In addition, subscribe to this podcast series if you want to be notified when additional podcasts are available.

How I get started with a New Congregation: Priorities for the First Day, Week, Month - Rev. Dr. Jill Small. Episode 80

It goes without saying that those first days and weeks as an interim minister with a new congregation are critical to setting expectations and making impressions. Intentional Interim Ministers are always learning and honing their skills at entering a congregation well.
A newbie Interim Minister once asked me how soon should they wait to give feedback to the congregation about what they are seeing and sensing. Rev. Dr. Jill Small, a true interim ministry veteran, speaks directly to this question in this episode titled, “How I get started with a New Congregation: Priorities for the first day, week, month.”
"Who are the people in these pictures?"
"How soon do you want me to tell you what I see?"
For a transcript of this episode, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website. In addition, subscribe to this podcast series if you want to be notified when additional podcasts are available.

Discerning a good fit for your next interim position - If it seems too good….- Rev. Dr. Laura Barnes. Episode 79

Discerning a good fit for an interim position can be tricky – especially if you have the luxury of being selective. When considering a particular opportunity many questions arise. There are the obvious ones around housing, finances and location. And then there are the less obvious ones: Are your values and their values enough of a match to be able to do real interim work together? And how do you discern this?
Rev. Dr. Laura Barnes, has served interims and settled positions in several denominations and locations around the country and brings a thoughtful voice to this conversation in this episode titled, “Discerning a good fit for your next interim position - If it seems too good….”
Reasons I might say No to an interim job offer (I'm so glad I did my homework)        
A head-based No
A heart-based No
For a transcript of this podcast, please visit the CoachingforInterims.com website. In addition, subscribe to this podcast series if you want to be notified when additional podcasts are available.

Working as an Interim Across Denominational Lines - Rev. Lynn Carman Bodden. Episode 78

Most Interim Ministers serve exclusively within one denomination. On occasion, we serve outside of our home denomination out of necessity. In this episode titled, "Working as an Interim Across Denominational Lines," seasoned Interim Minister and long-time IMN faculty member Rev. Lynn Carman Bodden, shares from her own experience how taking an interim job outside of your home denomination can not only make you a more effective interim minister, it can also expand your marketability.
Why taking an interim job outside of your home denomination can make you a more effective interim minister;
Taking a job outside your home denomination can expand your marketability;
Tips for learning the polity of a different denomination;
Tips for managing the differing expectations and cultures of other denominations.
For a transcript of this podcast, please visit the CoachingforInterims.com website. In addition, subscribe to this podcast series if you want to be notified when additional podcasts are available.

Walking into Staff Conflict Unawares - Rev. Lynn Carman Bodden. Episode 77

Interim ministers are often confronted with difficult staff issues. In this episode titled, "Walking into Staff Conflict Unawares," seasoned Interim Minister and long-time IMN faculty member Rev. Lynn Carman Bodden, speaks to this issue with particular attention to seeing patterns of conflict within a congregation, and the complexities of multi-staff congregations.
Managing staff conflict;
Seeing the pattern of conflict within the system;
Asking questions they might not think to ask;
Complexities of multi-staff congregations;
Getting clarity about your role vis-à-vis other staff.
For a transcript of this podcast, please visit the CoachingforInterims.com website. In addition, subscribe to this podcast series if you want to be notified when additional podcasts are available.