FILLING A VACUUM
The interim has increasingly played a significant role in congregational life. While the session or governing board of a church provide significant leadership, it is usually under the coordinated guidance of the pastor. Even when there has been tension between the pastor and the session, there are many responsibilities that the pastor assumes. Once a pastor has left the congregation, there is often a surprise at how many little details of church life require someone to coordinate. Especially if there has been some difficulties within the congregation, it is not unusual for some organizational structure to atrophy. When the pastor leaves, a vacuum often develops that increases the anxiety level of the congregation. An effective interim can ease that anxiety and provide direction and stability to the life of the church.
AN INTERIM’S UNIQUE GIFT
An especially important contribution an interim can make is that s/he removes some of the pressure from the search committee to rapidly find a pastoral replacement. The interim can help the congregation reflect on their life together and the mission of their church, as well as the qualities they seek in a new pastor.
However, there is another gift that an interim can offer a congregation that may significantly affect the quality of their ministry in the future. The interim is in a unique position to educate first the governing board and then the congregation as to their responsibility to pay attention to the health of the clergy. Because s/he is an interim, to speak of how to address the health of the next clergy doesn’t appear self-serving. The interim can share some of the data from studies on clergy health that demonstrate the importance of the congregation being intentional about addressing this issue. The interim can also help the church leadership to develop specific plans with respect to clergy health in advance of the actual call of a pastor. This removes the issues of personality and allows the congregation to see this as a means of strengthening their total ministry.
SIX DIMENIONS OF CLERGY HEALTH
Over the next several blogs, I want to suggest very specific steps a church can consider that will contribute to the health of the whole ministry of the Body of Christ. I’m building on the thesis that Healthy Clergy Make Healthy Congregations. I believe that when a clergy person is healthy, they can guide a congregation in responding to the stresses of modern life in a healthy manner. When I speak of health, I’m speaking of six areas of health: physical, emotional, financial, family, spiritual and vocational. While I am focusing on a clergy’s health, I think the same can apply to all who seek to offer leadership within the church.
What I would propose is that an interim can guide the governing body through these discussions from the unique perspective of a pastor who cares about the health of the whole church.
ENJOY A GOOD MYSTERY
http://amzn.to/1aTDdgs
For another perspective on clergy life, I’d suggest you enjoy a good mystery, A Star and a Tear, amzn.to/1aTDdgs, and discuss It with friends who also care about how clergy and the church can respond to the complex issues of our world.
