A VERMONT CONFERENCE

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

 

GUIDE

 

FOR CHURCH LEADERS IN THE

 

“INBETWEEN” TIME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated 3/7/08

 

 

 

A VERMONT CONFERENCE GUIDE FOR CHURCH LEADERS IN THE “INBETWEEN” TIME

 

The Rev. Carole Carlson

Interim Conference Minister

36 North Main Street

Randolph, Vermont  05060

 

802-728-4999

1-800-286-0248 (Vermont only)

carlsonc@vtcucc.org

 

 

The basic Search and Call Process in the United Church of Christ has been developed by the Parish Life and Leadership Team of the United Church of Christ.  This guide reflects lessons learned from Vermont Conference churches for living into the time between settled pastors.  It is a work in process.  You too will teach us.

 

Staff Resources which are available to you:

 

The Rev. Pam Lucas 

Associate Conference Minister                                       

36 North Main Street                                                            

Randolph, Vermont  05060

 

802-728-4999

lucasp@vtcucc.org                                                           

 

Placement Secretary for the Vermont Conference

 

Lynn Thomas

36 North Main Street

Randolph, Vermont  05060

 

802-728-4999

1-800-286-0248 (Vermont only)

thomasl@vtcucc.org

 

Other Resources

            Vermont Conference Ministerial Compensation Guidelines

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS

 

 

I.       INTRODUCTION                                                                    4

 

II.      SAYING GOODBYE TO YOUR PASTOR                             4

          Exit Interview I                                                               5

          Exit Interview II                                                               6

          Exit Interview III                                                             7

          Checklist for the Departing Pastor                                    8       

          Clarify Relationship with the Departing Pastor                  9       

          A Liturgical Service of Farewell                              10

          A Social Celebration of Thanksgiving                               10

 

III.     THE “INBETWEEN” TIME                                                     11

                   Calling “Inbetween” Pastoral Leadership                          13     

                             An Intentional Interim Pastor                                  13

                                      Why an Interim Cannot be a Candidate         13

                             A Supply Pastor                                                    14

                   Choosing an Inbetween Search Committee                      15

                   Choosing a Search Committee                                         17

                             Dedication of the Search Committee                       18

                   Overview of the Search Process                                      19

 

IV.     IN THE MEANTIME…                                                            20

 

V.      SAYING GOODBYE TO THE INTERIM                                  21

                   A Sample Liturgy of Farewell and Welcome                     22

 

VI.     SAYING HELLO TO YOUR NEW PASTOR                            24

 

Appendix A-1   Sample Intentional Interim Covenant                                      26                                       

Appendix A-2   Sample Supply Pastor Covenant                                          30

Appendix B      Guidelines for Retiring and Departing Pastors                                32

Appendix C      Liturgy of Blessing the Interim                                                         36

Appendix D       Code of Ethics for the Local Church                                               37

Appendix E        Code of Ethics for the Ordained Minister                                        39

Appendix F       Service of Farewell with Departing Pastor                                  41

 

 

I.      INTRODUCTION

 

Your church is entering an “inbetween” time in its life together.  There are many reasons your pastor may have resigned or retired.  Your congregation may be experiencing a shifting relationship to the community; there may be challenges to financial stability; change in leadership; conflict; the need to rebuild or redevelop viability.

 

For whatever reason you are “inbetween”, you are still the Church of Jesus Christ.  God is still God, and you are still God’s people, and God says, “Behold, I am doing a new thing in your midst.  Do you not see it?”

 

That “new thing” will unfold in the months to come as you are faithful to the tasks that are both the same and different.  So do not be anxious about the future.  Do not be impatient and hurry through this “inbetween” time.  You will have opportunity to consider this time as a time of transformation.  Be patient and alert to the ways God is renewing your call to be “church”. 

 

Besides, there is much for you to do in the meantime.

 

What specifically can you do to strengthen your congregation’s life and ministry?

 

What can you and your lay leaders do to help make that happen?

 

 

II.   SAYING GOOD-BY TO YOUR PASTOR

 

When a pastor resigns or retires your congregation will experience many emotions.

 

If it is an anticipated retirement there may be sadness at saying good-by.  If it is a surprise resignation, there may be feelings of abandonment and even anger at seeming rejection.  If it is a resignation that comes as a result of conflict or misconduct there may be feelings of betrayal, anger, and blame.  Under any circumstances, there will be anxiety about the future on the part of both pastor and people. 

 

But because each pastor and congregation forges unique bonds, the weeks between the announcement of leaving and the actual leave-taking offer an opportunity for social and liturgical celebrations for remembrance and thanksgiving.  These will help everyone make peace with the decision. 

 

Meeting agendas can also include plans for the future.

 

 

 

 

EXIT INTERVIEWS

 

There are important insights the departing pastor can share which will be helpful as the church begins to plan for the future. Take careful notes for future information.

 

EXIT INTERVIEW ONE                                                                                                                                                                  

Recommended Participants:

 

In this model two members of the Committee on Ministry and the Conference staff person conduct the interview. They first meet alone with the pastor, then together with the pastor and governing board, and finally with the governing board alone.

 

Pastor (30 minutes): 

 

  1. Who blessed your ministry here?  Tell us a story of when you felt blessed.
  2. Tell us one or two of your best experiences of ministry here.
  3. What do you value about this congregation?
  4. If you had three wishes for this congregation, what would they be?

 

Council and Pastor Together (30 minutes):

 

  1. Tell us a story about the best worship experience you had together.
  2. Tell us a story about a time at ______________ Church that you were aware of God’s presence.
  3. What do you value about the time you were in ministry together here?
  4. If you had three wishes about your remaining time together, what would they be?

 

Council (30 minutes):

 

  1. How were you blessed by the pastor’s ministry here?  Tell a story of when you felt blessed by Pastor ______________.
  2. Tell us one or two of your best experiences of Pastor ____________’s ministry.
  3. What do you value about Pastor _____________?
  4. If you had three wishes for Pastor ____________, what would they be?

 

 

Name of Pastor _________________________________________________________________

 

Name of Church ________________________________________________________________

 

Date ________________________________________________________                                                                       

Participants ____________________________________________________________________

 

                    ____________________________________________________________________

                                                                                   

                    ____________________________________________________________________ (Adapted, Michigan Conference)

 

EXIT INTERVIEW TWO                                                     

 

Recommended Participants

 

In this model there are three participants: the president of the governing board, a person selected by the governing board, and a person chosen by the departing pastor.

 

Questions for the Pastor

 

1.      Describe your first meeting with this congregation and share some of your first impressions.

2.      What was the biggest surprise or difference between your first impression and the church you have come to know?

3.      In what ways has the congregation grown and changed as a faith community?

4.      In what ways has the congregation grown and changed in mission and ministry?

5.      What do you see as this congregation’s greatest strength? The congregation’s most significant “growing edge”?

6.      Was there something you hoped to accomplish while you were serving this congregation that you didn’t?  Why?

7.      What prayers or blessings would you ask God to grant for the congregation’s future ministry?

 

Questions for the church members

 

1.      Describe the setting when you first met the pastor and share some of your first impressions. 

2.      What was the biggest surprise or difference between your first impression and the pastor you have come to know?

3.      In what ways has the pastor grown and changed spiritually while serving this congregation?

4.      What do you see as this pastor’s greatest strength? The pastor’s most significant “growing edge”?

5.      Was there something you hoped would be accomplished while this pastor served this congregation that didn’t happen?  Why?

6.      In what ways has the pastor grown and changed as a pastoral leader while serving this congregation?

7.      What prayers or blessings would you ask God to grant for your pastor’s future ministry?  

 

Name of Pastor _________________________________________________________________

 

Name of Church ________________________________________________________________

 

Date _________________________________________________________________________

 

Participants ____________________________________________________________________

                                                                       

(Adapted, Penn Central Conference)

 

 

EXIT INTERVIEW THREE                                                 


Recommended Participants:

 

This model is designed for reflection from a slightly larger group of church members. The pastor and a small group of lay leaders (selected from the governing board, and/or Deacons, and/or Pastoral Relations Committee) complete the first six questions ahead of time. The lay leaders also complete question seven, and the pastor question eight. A meeting of those persons is then convened to review the seven questions; it is suggested that the meeting be moderated by someone from outside the local church community.

 

1.       What was the church like when the pastor arrived – strengths and challenges?

 

2.       What are some of your most joyful memories of this time? What will you remember about this church ten years from now?

 

3.       During this ministry, what do you think were the most significant accomplishments of the congregation? Of what can the congregation be especially proud?

 

4.       Does this church have Safe Church Policies and Procedures?  If No, was any effort made to work on Safe Church issues during the pastor’s tenure?

 

5.       What are some of the things that you feel are being left undone?

 

6.       What are the main challenges facing this church? What might be the obstacles that are preventing the members from achieving their full potential as a congregation?

 

7.       Are there particular affirmations to offer the pastor?

 

8.       Are there particular affirmations to offer the church?

 

9.       Other comments?

 

 

 

Name of Pastor_________________________________________________________________

 

Name of Church________________________________________________________________

 

Date_______________________________________________________________

 

Participants ____________________________________________________________________

 

                    ____________________________________________________________________

 

                    ____________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

                                                 (Adapted, Central Association, Massachusetts Conference)

 

 

FOR THE DEPARTING PASTOR:

CHECKLIST OF MATERIALS AND INFORMATION 

The departing pastor should review this checklist and make certain that the information is available in print form and/or on the church computer. If there is a church office, the information may be left in the pastor’s desk or in a specified location on the church computer. In small churches, the information should be entrusted to a designated lay leader. 

 

Current Lists (each with name, address, phone, email address)