It is like having three years of congregational experience packed into six months. Situations change radically in very short periods of time. The required analysis of the congregation as a system is intriguing. As well, for myself, one of my challenges is dealing with conflict. The interim minister needs to be self-differentiated in the sense that this person needs to make their own decisions, needs to have their own vision, needs to have stability from within, rather than being tossed and turned by the vagaries of congregational or other individual's moods and attitudes.
Interim ministry is an exciting time in the faith journey of a congregation.
Like Moses, the interim must have a sense of God at work. Started by a posting to Forum by yours truly - the discussion is revealing that there is some diversity in how these visits are conducted. We urge you to read the various postings and contribute your own as we attempt to see if there is a common mind about how these important visitations should be accomplished and what their content and purpose ought to be. And indeed, it might. Trinity-Smiths Falls United Church wishes to announce the inauguration of The Trinity Prize for Preaching Excellence as part of our Millennium Celebrations.