This week I will complete a very pleasant three month ministry. I have been the three month interim at a church while the pastor went on sabbatical. In contrast to other interims that I have experienced, there was no conflict in the congregation, no transition anxiety after a pastor’s departure, or a need to guide a congregation in reorganization. My task was to contribute a steady presence and quality worship while their pastor was experiencing some sabbatical renewal.
This is a great gift that retired pastors can contribute to the church. Most churches, when they think about it, can see the value in their pastor having a sabbatical. Contributing to the well-being of a pastors physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health is a good way to encourage long term yet vital ministry. Their anxiety comes in thinking about how they can maintain a vital community of worship when the guiding hand of the pastor is absent. An experienced retired pastor can bring that sense of stability to such a congregation.
In this particular case, the pastor had received a Lilly Grant for his sabbatical. In that grant was provision for paying for such an interim. That was very nice and I gladly accepted the salary. Yet I would have done it anyway. It is one of the ways that we can serve the larger church and it makes for a healthier Body of Christ.
If you are retired, you might want to give this some consideration.
