Coaching For Interims

A Model for Using Brainstorming to Connect with Your Wider Community - Rev. Peter Ilgenfritz. Episode 62

Has your congregation become disconnected from its local community? Rev. Peter Ilgenfritz talks about how his congregation used a particular form of brainstorming to forge new connections with their neighbors in this episode titled, “A Model for Using Brainstorming to Connect with Your Wider Community.”
First four minutes Peter shares a bit about his entry into interim ministry
Sparking curiosity among parishioners for change
Instilling ownership among parishioners for change
Making space for imagination in times of anxiety

Cultivating Connections and Support As an Interim Minister - Rev. Lynn Carman Bodden. Episode 61

By the nature of their work, interim ministers need some specific things in their lives – certain kinds of support - in order to serve well and with joy. Veteran interim minister and IMN faculty member, Rev. Lynn Carman Bodden, offers some specifics in this episode titled, “Cultivating Connections and Support as an Interim Minister.”
Why meeting regularly with other interims is so important;
The necessary characteristics of an effective support group;
Start one yourself or join an existing group.
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 with Children and Youth During the Interim Time - Rev. Lynn Carman Bodden. Episode 60

Children & youth can easily get overlooked during the interim time. Long-time Interim Minister and IMN (Interim Ministry Network) faculty member, Rev. Lynn Carman Bodden, speaks about helping them feel important during this transition period.
Helping children & youth understand the transition;
Thoughts about having a youth on the Pastor Search Committee;
Ways to help youth feel important to the transition / interim 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.

Thinking Collaboratively (not Transactionally) about the Tasks of Ministry - Rev. Quentin Chin. Episode 59

When a congregation moves from a full-time pastorate to a part-time one, there is often the unexamined expectation that the part-time pastor will still do all the tasks of ministry the pastor typically does – only in less time. Unrealistic. Stressful. Deeply experienced part-time interim minister, Rev. Quentin Chin, suggests that a way to resolve this dilemma is for congregation and pastor to shift from a transactional model of ministry to a collaborative one. He offers helpful specifics in this episode titled, “Thinking collaboratively (not transactionally) about the tasks of Ministry.”
Bringing 1 Corinthians 12 to life;
How clergy and congregation can make space for each other to shine!;
Collaborative ministry requires clergy and congregation to share with each other their respective strengths and weaker areas – especially important for part-time pastorates;
Some of the things I’m doing to prepare the congregation for a potentially indefinite period of part-time pastorates;
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.

Lessons from Hospice for Pastoral Ministry - Rev. Quentin Chin. Episode 58

Even if your congregation is getting small, there is still lots that you can do that can make people realize that you matter as a church in your town. Veteran interim minister and part-time hospice chaplain, Rev. Quentin Chin, offers some refreshing perspectives for congregations nearing an end of their current way of ministry in this segment titled, “Lessons from Hospice for Pastoral Ministry.”
How hospice philosophy relates to congregations in decline;
The positive message of hospice;
Be the best church you can be right now!
Even in decline, there are still lots of things you can do;
Finiteness is what makes a thing valuable.
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.

Fundraisers that Make the Church More Relevant to the Local Community - Rev. Quentin Chin. Episode 57

Do you really understand what your church fundraisers are doing for you (or not)? Have you wondered whether the income is worth all the effort? Are your fundraisers connected to real ministry? What could be learned from calling a one-year moratorium on church fundraisers?
Innovative interim minister, Rev. Quentin Chin, offers ideas that help ground our fundraisers in real ministry, what he calls, “fundraisers in the manner of Jesus,” in this episode titled, “Fundraisers that make the church more relevant to the local community.”
Fundraisers in the manner of Jesus;
What could be learned from calling a one-year moratorium on fundraising?
Do you really understand what your fundraisers are doing (or not) for you?
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.

Thinking Realistically about Part-time Ministry - Rev. Quentin Chin. Episode 56

Part-time pastorates are becoming more and more common, and for them to succeed, we need to think differently from when the ministry had a full-time minister. In particular, it’s vital to reframe the shift from one of loss to one of gain. In this episode titled, “Thinking realistically about part-time Ministry (and how it could actually make your congregation feel more empowered!)” Rev. Quentin Chin, a veteran of the part-time Interim Ministry space, shares some of the key things needed to make a part-time pastorate successful.
Helping the congregation think realistically about part-time ministry;
Reframing part-time ministry from loss to gain;
Ideas for how to lead Confirmation, preaching, etc., in new ways;
Is attending church suppers considered “work” for the pastor? If so, how to negotiate that.
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.

Buildings: How I Think About This Major Resource - Rev. Philomena Hare. Episode 55

Does your congregation worship its building? Is your congregation challenged with a building that no longer meets its needs? If so, listen as veteran Interim Minister shares her thoughts about aligning (or re-aligning) a congregation’s real estate with its authentic ministry calling.
Using them to further God’s kingdom
How they free up or tie up our telling the Jesus story
Dealing with idolatry of the building
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 Serving As an Interim Minister and Thoughts for Those Considering It - Rev. Philomena Hare. Episode 54

Are you thinking of becoming an intentional interim minister, or know someone who is? If so, listen as veteran Interim Minister, Rev. Philomena Hare, offers a personal reflection on why she chose this path and some wise counsel as well.
It's exciting!
If saying a healthy "goodbye" is difficult for you….
My WHY changes over time

Managing Difficult Staff Relationships - Rev. Philomena Hare. Episode 53

Interim ministers are often confronted with difficult staff issues. Listen to how seasoned Interim Minister, Rev. Philomena Hare manages staff challenges during the interim time.
Don't shy away from conflict, but….
Is it ok to have staff changes during the interim time?
Congregations usually know there is a problem, but…
Why staff performance evaluations are so important