The Interim Pastor is still part time. However, in addition to his preaching role, he is involved in selected pastoral ministries. Transitional Interim - describes an interim of five months to a year in which the Church may have some challenges to face prior to calling another pastor. As a leader, the interim guides the Church to assess the challenges and answer a number of the questions that exist. The Church and pastor enter into a covenant relationship regarding the issues which must be addressed prior to the calling of a new pastor.
Several organizations provide extensive training for the intentional interim.
A purposeful interim could describe any or all of the above kinds of interim ministries. Instead, the Church can seek to understand the value of taking a step back and a deep breath prior to calling their new pastor. The Church can agree to celebrate their past, but dream an informed dream about God's future. With an accurate understanding of God, themselves, and their ministry environment they stand poised and ready to discover God's will regarding a pastor to lead them there. The Institute for Church Health.