Coaching For Interims

Why I Use ’Transition’ in My Title - Rev. Dr. Todd Yonkman. Episode 42

Why use “Transition” in your title as an interim minister? In this episode, seasoned Interim Minister, Rev. Dr. Todd Yonkman, who uses the title, “Transitional Minister,” in his work with congregations, speaks of how the term “transitional” implies movement and change – essential characteristics of a quality interim time. He adds that it hints at truths such as: “The church you were is not the church you are going to be,” and “What are you willing to let go of to get what you most want?”
Why setting expectations is critical & how to do it;
How the metaphor of “Midwife” for the transition pastor can clarify roles and responsibilities;
The church you were is not the church you are going to be…;
What are you willing to let go of to get what you most want?

Understanding the Real Value of Your Sacred Space to Your Wider Community - Rev. Dr. Shelly Stackhouse. Episode 41

Many congregations have unused physical space. They know that sharing it with the wider community is key to their vitality, and yet they are far from reaching their full potential. Veteran interim minister, Rev. Rochelle (Shelly) Stackhouse, offers some refreshing perspectives & ideas in, “Understanding the Real Value of Your Sacred Space to Your Wider Community.”
Book of Acts reminds us that the first congregations shared space;
Many New England churches originally called themselves “meeting houses” – places for all kinds of meetings, not just Sunday worship;
Assessing the many ways your congregation adds value to your community;
“Partners for Sacred Spaces” can help your church think creatively about uses for your building;
Over the centuries, churches have functioned as patrons of the arts;
Integrating social justice in multi-purposing your space;

Working with Churches That Have Building Issues (Hint: Don’t start by talking about the building) - Rev. Dr. Shelly Stackhouse. Episode 40

Does your church have “building” issues? Savvy long-time pastor, Rev. Dr. Shelly Stackhouse, quipped, “People who know me well have heard me say that I think God has a perverse sense of humor. And one of the ways that has been true over 40 years of ministry is that I never actually wanted to deal with buildings. I wanted to deal with mission and worship and all that good stuff. And yet, from the very beginning, I found myself in churches that had aging buildings, or buildings with challenges of one kind or another. I had to do a lot of learning on the job, because one of the courses they don't give you in seminary is general contracting…”
She also discovered things about the church buildings that delighted her and moved her in completely unexpected ways.
The book of Acts is an underutilized resource for discerning about the building;
There’s more than one way to solve the problem…
Solutions to the building problem only surface by going deeply into discerning your relationship with the community around you;
What might you have to do to your physical space to make other people want to use it?
Learning not to underestimate the beauty of our spaces…
Dealing with idolatry of the building;

Why I’m Drawn to Serving As a Designated Term Pastor - Rev. Chris Mereschuk. Episode 39

Have you wondered about the term, “Designated Pastor”? What do Designated Pastors do that is different from “Interim Pastors”? Under what circumstances would a DP be a better fit? Savvy and thoughtful Designated Term Pastor, Rev. Chris Mereschuk, speaks to this, as well as how DP’s and IM’s can work together for the sake of the congregation in “Why I’m drawn to serving as a Designated Term Pastor.”
When is Designated Term appropriate?
Designated Term puts everything on the table;
When serving as an interim pastor, what if calling a settled pastor next isn’t what’s really needed?
Designated Term: you do have goals, but maybe not a specific outcome (like being ready to call a settled pastor);
How Interim Pastors and Designated Pastors can work together;
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.

Restructuring the Part-time Pastorate for More Strategic Impact - Rev. Jeff MacDonald. Episode 38

It’s a common occurrence for churches to go from a full-time pastorate to a part-time pastorate (full-time minster to part-time minister) with little intention about designing it as such. Consequently, they miss out on opportunities this arrangement could offer for increased vitality. Jeff MacDonald, an accomplished freelance journalist (Part-Time Is Plenty: Thriving Without Full-Time Clergy) and part-time interim minister, speaks to this challenge in this episode, “Restructuring the part-time pastorate for more strategic impact.”
For additional podcasts on this and other topics, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website.
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;

Motivating Lay People to Use Their Gifts in Ministry - Rev. Jeff MacDonald. Episode 37

What are the factors that help the laity actively engage in the ministry of their congregations? As it turns out, the “secret” elements of this puzzle are more obvious in congregations that thrive after moving from full-time to part-time pastors. Listen here as skillful part-time interim minister and journalist, Rev. Jeff MacDonald, shares findings of his extensive research in “Motivating lay people to use their gifts in ministry.”
Characteristics of churches that thrive after moving to a part-time pastor;
Highlights of how lay ministries benefit the congregation;
Creating platforms for laypeople to share experiences of meaningful engagement;
Barriers hindering lay people from using their gifts;
Suggestions for how the pastor can help lay people to overcome barriers to using their gifts in ministry.
For additional podcasts on this and other topics, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website.

What Can Churches Share Besides a Pastor? - Rev. Gail Irwin. Episode 36

When congregations decline in numbers, the anxiety this causes can hinder their vision of adaptive options for a hope-filled future. This includes the possibilities of what they might share with a sister congregation. Seasoned UCC interim minister and author/researcher, Rev. Gail Irwin, offers some non-threatening ways to help a declining congregation in: “What Can Churches Share Besides a Pastor?”
Non-threatening ways to help a congregation declining in numbers begin to think about sharing a pastor (or their building) with another congregation;
Using your position as the interim minister to investigate the wider community on behalf of the congregation;
Good questions an entering interim minister can ask to help a congregation declining in numbers gain a positive mindset;

What Is the Value of Having an Intentional Interim Minister? - Rev. Cindy Mueller. Episode 35

What is the value of having a trained intentional interim minister? The more that parishioners understand the opportunities presented by an interim time, the more focused and engaged they will be. Listen to veteran interim minister, Rev. Cindy Mueller speak to this important topic.
Helping a congregation understand the value of having a trained intentional interim minister;
Difference between an “interim minister” and an “intentional (trained) interim minister;”
Guidance for lay leaders as they approach the interim time;
How to lower the anxiety during the interim time;
For additional podcasts on this and other topics, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website.

Guidance for a Church on the Cusp of Legacy, or Ending Its Current Way of Ministry - Rev. Cindy Mueller. Episode 34

Do you find yourself wondering whether or not you can go on – continue to exist - as a church? In her piece, "Guidance for a church on the cusp of legacy, or ending its current way of ministry," Rev. Cindy Mueller speaks to letting go of the notion of having “failed” & navigating with authentic hope. She offers ideas of where to look for help and resource recommendations for navigating the threshold/legacy time.
Definition of a “Threshold” moment;
Letting go of the notion of having “failed” & navigating with authentic hope;
Guiding question: “What do you see as your future?”
The role of the congregation’s values guiding your decision of what to do next;
Why navigating the threshold moment takes time – don’t rush it;
Where to look for help: resource recommendations for navigating the threshold/legacy time;
For additional podcasts on this and other topics, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website.

Guiding Question for Churches in the Threshold Liminal Space: What Is Ours to Give Away Now? - Rev. Lindsey Peterson. Episode 33

Is your church in that threshold liminal space? You know – you’ve arrived at that place where dwindling resources and energy make it clear that you to cannot continue doing ministry as you have previously. What is also clear is that to move forward, you need to let go of some “things.” But what? How? It’s an anxious and unsettling space to be in. In this episode with Rev. Lindsey Peterson, we offer a deceptively simple yet powerful question to help guide congregations and their leaders that find themselves in this threshold liminal space.
For additional podcasts on this topic, as well as downloading a transcript of this episode, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website.