Role of the Intentional Interim Pastor

Edwin Friedman has observed that interim times are “times in which the emotional system unlocks.”

Seasoned Intentional Interim pastor/educator Paul N. Svingen writes, “(interim) Ministry takes on an intensity that is not usually experienced when a congregation is ‘settled in’ with its long-term, installed, permanent pastoral leader. Intentional interim ministers see themselves as consultative leaders, and they accompany their congregations through a rich and varied territory by using both established and potential pathways to help these congregations pursue their vision of a mission under God.”

So, what is my role as your Intentional Interim Pastor? I think I can condense my role into three broad categories:

1- Preach and teach the Gospel.

2- Help disciples realize and actualize their callings.

3- Prepare this congregational system for success with their next pastor.

Those are broad, wide-ranging goals so I will expand them in future blogs (I already covered #1 on 2-8-22). Let me reassure y’all of something: I do love this congregation and I do want the best for it.

People may wonder sometimes if I really care. Sometimes I decline to do things because I don’t think that action will be good for the future of your congregational system. Sometimes I know that your congregation is making a mistake or misstep and I won’t try to stop you. Often times I will make suggestions that are sometimes ignored (but I keep making them). And I am painfully persistent in asking difficult questions. In fact, some of my actions may make you wonder if I’m really a pastor or just an overgrown 3 year old. (Why? Why? Why?)

In the field of emotional counseling I am also attempting to be a differentiated leader. A differentiated leader may give the appearance of indifference, but that is not the case. A differentiated leader is what my former professor Karla Dahl (Bethel Seminary) defined as, “caring deeply at a safe emotional distance.” Basically it means that I’m not here to save you (Jesus already did that).

What is my role?

To help you grow as you continue to be amazing disciples of Jesus Christ. One more quote…this time from Rob Bell, “God loves you just the way you are, but loves you way too much to let you stay that way.”

Blessings Pr Mike