Accredited Interim Minister ~ Unitarian Universalist
The Interim Process:
A perspective*
The interim period between when your previous minister departs and your new minister is called is a fertile time for self examination, for determining what it is your congregation cherishes, and what (if anything) you want or need to change. Many congregations find it helpful to draw on what has been termed the "five developmental tasks" of interim ministry -- focused questions and areas of attention that can help the congregation use their interim period effectively. [ Click here to read Maureen's perspective on how working with an interim minister can benefit your congregation in its transition time.]
I like to frame the developmental tasks in terms of questions:
(a) WHO HAVE YOU BEEN? Coming to terms with your congregation’s history -- who have you been and what does it mean? This includes taking a clear-eyed look at current and past conflicts, addressing issues surrounding the departure of any previous ministers (including the natural grief and dislocation that comes from a major transition). The picture below shows the product of a congregational workshop at River Road UU Congregation where many members came together to share and explore the meaning of many stories from the congregation's past. This "history wall" was then posted for several weeks, giving the rest of the congregation an opportunity to add their own stories.
(b) WHO ARE YOU? Claiming your strengths -- who is your congregation now (with all life’s problems and your current economic challenges) and how can this shared awareness of identity help you move forward?
(c) HOW ARE YOU? Developing new, clear and appropriate governance and leadership structures (volunteer and paid staff) and opening doors for new involvement.
(d) WITH WHOM ARE YOU CONNECTED? Acknowledging and strengthening connections with the wider UU movement and other broader structures. Drawing appropriately on resources to facilitate congregational development.
(e) WHO WILL YOU BE? Strengthening stewardship. Making a positive commitment to new leadership (including your new senior minister) and enthusiastic participation in the future.
Although congregations often experience a logical flow to the five tasks, the process is more like a spiral than a linear progression. Stories from the past, for example, weave their way through all aspects of congregational life. The tasks themselves offer a framework to help the congregation and its leaders focus on using the interim period effectively and productively.
Rather than a time of stasis, our goal is for your congregation to remember this interim period as an exciting time when old issues are resolved, new energy bubbles up, and new ideas and vision emerge. ~ Maureen
* Interpretation by M. Killoran. For more information about these developmental tasks, please see A Change of Pastors by Loren Mead (Alban, 2005) and Temporary Shepherds: A Congregational Handbook for the Interim Period by Roger S. Nicholson (Alban, 1998)