Interim Ministry – Part 2: When is it needed?

Welcome to the second in a three part series on Interim Ministry. In this series, we will look at interim ministry addressing the following questions:

1. Part 1: Interim Ministry – what is it?
2. Part 2: Interim Ministry – when is it needed?
3. Part 3: Interim Ministry – what type of interim ministry is needed?

Part 2: Interim Ministry – When is it needed?

Interim ministry is needed for the season between the departure of a pastor and the start of the ministry of the new pastor. Not every church chooses to utilize interim pastors, nor are interims needed in every period of transition. That said, interim ministry is usually the wisest approach to a pastoral transition. 

There are several reasons to choose to have an interim pastor in a season of transition between a former pastor and a new one. Some of the reasons include:

1. When your church is stalled.
2. When your pervious pastor served 10 years or more.
3. When your denomination/association requests or requires it.
4. When you need a pastor to take care of the day to day ministry of the church.
5. When there has been significant conflict, betrayal or misconduct.
6. When there has been significant conflict, betrayal, or misconduct.
7. When a pastor dies.
8. When there is high pastoral turnover.
9. When there has been a long pastorate (recommended at 10+ years, essential at 15+ years).
10. When the church is unhealthy, stalled, or wants to leverage the transition for greater health.

So, how do you know what time of interim ministry is needed? Find out in part 3 of our series, interim ministry – what type of interim ministry is needed?

Rev. Dr. Marcus J. Carlson, Executive Director

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