Pastor Tony Keys

Churches call an interim pastor for all kinds of different reasons: the pastor is going on a well-deserved sabbatical, or the pastor needs time off for circumstances such as illness or family matters or the permanent pastor retires, or moves on to another church.

An interim pastor is someone who helps fill the role of minister at your church by maintaining stability and keeping the church on course with its vision in the brief absence of the senior pastor, or guides the church through the time transition period while the church is searching for a new pastor.

The longer you will go without a pastor, the greater your need will be for an interim pastor.

A congregation needs to have a sense that everything is stable and running smoothly. Mature Christians are better equipped to handle the absence of the senior pastor on leave or the long pastor search. But younger believers often struggle with the lack of pastoral care/leadership during this transitional period. An interim pastor can and does bring a stabilizing force during such a time as this.

The search for a new pastor can take about 18 months. Some churches call a new minister within weeks. But there are others through circumstances out side of their control that can go for several years without a permanent pastor, after a few months can create unrest in the church.

What Role Will the Interim Pastor Perform?

They are more than warm body. They should be a seasoned pastor who understands the dynamics of congregational life. Who provides pastoral care, stability, guidance and a sense of purpose and vision during the pastor’s leave or during the transitional period that helps to ease the transition by preparing the congregation for the next pastor and the changes that come.

General Pastoral Duties Include: Preparing and preaching biblical sermons during each regularly scheduled church service; answering correspondence; providing the content for the weekly bulletin; visiting those in the hospital; performing weddings and funerals as requested; pastoral care as requested; attending the pastor search committee meetings; helping the search committee interview potential candidates; working with the worship team to develop and implement excellent Sunday services; praying for and with people in the church; representing the church at denomination (or association) meetings; and other tasks assigned by the Elders.

Using Overseas Interim Pastor

Countries such as United Kingdom and Canada allow religious organisations to apply for an interim pastor to be issued with a Minister of Religion work permit, to undertake missionary work.

Pastor Tony Keys
Email: trinitylead@uq.net.au

Pastor Tony Keys http://www.trinitylead.com/speaker
Pastor Key's professional career includes extensive experience in leadership positions in non-profit organisations, ministry, education, industry and churches. He has been actively involved in a vast range of leadership roles, which includes experience as the Director of two Christian tertiary education centres, Church Pastor, Assistant Principal of a non-profit Christian School, Factory Manager, Youth Worker, Crusade Co-ordinator, and an administrator for a theatre company. He has travelled extensively throughout Australia and the world, preaching and ministering in churches as well as conducting leadership seminars for churches, bible colleges, missionary and not-for-profit organisations and meeting in a consulting role with church leaders.

(Editorial Comment on This article at Kingscalendar)