Coaching For Interims

Why Your Body Budget Matters to the Quality of Your Ministry (or, What Neuroscience Has to Say about Clergy Self-Care) - Rev. Arlen Vernava. Episode 72

No one denies the need for good self-care as an Interim Minister, yet some IM’s suffer in this area. Some of us would be better at it if we could get it out in front of ourselves somehow – manage it like we do the many other tasks and projects. The concept of the “Body Budget” can be the help we need to successfully manage our own self-care. Rev. Arlen Vernava, a skilled Interim Minister and IMN faculty member brings real value to this conversation in this episode titled, “Why Your Body Budget Matters to the Quality of Your Ministry” (or, What Neuroscience Has to Say about Clergy Self-Care)
The 3 components of Body Budget: adequate sleep, nutritious food, exercise;
What to do when your Body Budget is in deficit, but don’t have time to attend to it;
How to advance the work of the church when Body Budget is in deficit;
Body Budget applies at the congregational level too;
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.

Is It Ever Okay to Terminate a Staff Member During the Interim Time? - Rev. Dr. Jonathan New. Episode 71

Is it ever okay to terminate a staff member during the interim time? Some experienced interim ministers say that decision should be left to the settled pastor who follows them. Others say that if it’s clear that a staff member is no longer a fit, the interim minister should make sure that staff member does move on so as not to burden the incoming settled pastor. Either way, it requires clear thinking, compassion and some courage.
Savvy transitional minister and vitality expert, Rev. Dr. Jonathan New, brings a lot to the conversation in this episode titled, “Is it ever okay to terminate a staff member during the interim time?”
My take on the role of the interim minister in assessing, firing and hiring staff;
Asking the question: Does this staff member continue to be a fit?
Even if you have the authority, don’t make the decision to terminate by yourself;

What about Taking on Significant Projects during the Interim Time, such as a Capital Campaign? - Rev. Dr. Jonathan New. Episode 70

An important judgement during an interim engagement is deciding what to take on and what to leave for later – after the next settled pastor arrives. Examples include letting go problematic staff members, or taking on special projects such as a capital campaign. I’ve heard thoughtful and wise interim minister colleagues come down on both sides of such issues. Savvy transitional minister and vitality expert, Rev. Dr. Jonathan New, brings a lot to the conversation in this episode titled, “What about taking on significant projects during the interim time, such as a capital campaign?”
How to know if / when it’s appropriate to take on a significant project during the interim time;
The layers to think about when considering a major project during the interim time such as a capital campaign or an Open & Affirming process.
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.

Assessing and Evaluating the Congregation: Categories of Things to Look for - Rev. Dr. Jonathan New. Episode 69

When entering a new congregation as an intentional interim minister, a lot of things vie for your attention: How is their financial condition? Worship attendance? Morale? How did it go with the previous pastor? and more. So, it’s helpful not only to learn quickly, but also to avoid getting dragged down or distracted by the anxiety in the system or easily quantifiable things. To this end, deeply experienced transition minister and vitality expert, Rev. Dr. Jonathan New, speaks of the five key features of church life that he pays attention to, as well as exploring the congregation’s core governing principles, and helping them increase their self-understanding – all of which make for effective transitional leadership in helping a congregation take its next steps faithfully.
The five key features of church life I pay attention to;
Exploring the congregation’s core governing principles –
 its “DNA”
Does it matter which kinds of assessments to use?
Helping the cong. to increase its self-understanding.
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.

My WHY for Interim Ministry and Thoughts for Those Thinking of Entering Interim Ministry - Rev. Dr. Laura Barnes. Episode 68

Are you thinking of becoming an intentional interim minister? In this episode titled, “My WHY for Interim Ministry & thoughts for those thinking of entering interim ministry,” thoughtful and richly experienced interim minister, Rev. Dr. Laura Barnes, reflects on why she chose to take this step, how it’s going for her, and some of the surprises along the way.
If I'm encouraging churches not to be stuck, I too need not to be stuck;
Changing venues has helped me to let go of things in my own life - in a healthy way.
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.

Handling Difficult Financial Conversations with a Congregation - Rev. Dr. Laura Barnes. Episode 67

Do you struggle with understanding your congregation’s financial reality? Do you wish you could grasp what a congregation’s financial documents reveal about itself? While it certainly helps to have some financial training, you don’t have to be a financial wiz to engage the congregation in meaningful conversation about their financial reality. Former banker and veteran interim minister, Rev. Dr. Laura Barnes, offers valuable guidance and simple steps that any interim minister can take, in this episode titled, “Handing Difficult Financial Conversations with a Congregation.”
What their financial documents reveal about the condition of the congregation - what to look for;
Here's when and how I ask for their financial documents and what I do with them;
What if I don't have any financial training? Should I just leave all that to others?
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.

Helping the Congregation Understand the Demands on an Interim Minister - Rev. Dr. Jill Small. Episode 66

Few parishioners understand the challenges & stresses faced by an interim minister. And yet, the more they do understand, the more effective their ministry together will be. Furthermore, there will surely be less stress and tension and more enjoyment. Listen to veteran interim minister, Rev. Dr. Jill Small speak to this in this episode titled, “Helping the Congregation Understand the Demands on an Interim Minister.”
The work of an Interim Minister: helping the congregation to understand what you do;
Managing the relentless demands…;
"I'm not Moses, but…" (Setting up the next settled pastor for success).
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.

Looking Back on My First Year in Interim Ministry - Rev. Peter Ilgenfritz. Episode 65

Are you thinking of becoming an intentional interim minister? Are you wondering what it might be like? Long-time settled pastor, Rev. Peter Ilgenfritz, reflects on why he chose to move into transitional interim ministry, how it’s going, and some of the surprises along the way, in this episode titled, “Looking Back on My First Year in Interim Ministry.”
My WHY for serving as an interim minister;
Guidance for those considering interim ministry & or just starting out.
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.

Preaching Creatively during the Interim Time with Metaphors, Part 2 - Stilling the Storm - Rev. Peter Ilgenfritz. Episode 64

Preaching creatively during times of transition is a gift to any congregation, whether they are officially in an interim time or not. Rev. Peter Ilgenfritz, former Pastor of the University Congregational Church UCC in Seattle, and now dedicating himself to intentional interim ministry, shares some fun specifics in this second of two podcasts on preaching during the interim time, titled, “Preaching Creatively with Metaphors During Interim Time, Part 2 – Stilling the Storm.”
Sermon series on Stilling the Storm in Mark's Gospel;
How a good metaphor can orient oneself and the congregation during the interim journey.
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.

Preaching Creatively during the Interim Time with Metaphors, Part 1 - Exodus Journey - Rev. Peter Ilgenfritz. Episode 63

Preaching creatively during times of transition is a gift to any congregation, whether they are officially in an interim time or not. Rev. Peter Ilgenfritz, former Pastor of the University Congregational Church UCC in Seattle, and now dedicating himself to intentional interim ministry, shares some fun specifics in this first of two podcasts about preaching during the interim time. It’s titled, “Preaching Creatively with Metaphors During Interim Time, Part 1 – Exodus Journey.”
Benefit of using a sermon series;
Sermon series: using the Israelites' Exodus journey to build community, to see in new ways, to empower lay leadership