In the Interim: Strategies for Interim Ministers and Congregations

by Barbara Child

A period of interim ministry poses unique challenges and opportunities for both congregations and ministers. Much more than a "caretaker" ministry, an interim ministry can help a congregation navigate and get the most out of a time of transition. In this practical and insightful volume, interim ministers and other congregational leaders provide a road map for a transformative and fulfilling interim period.

Barbara Child is a retired Unitarian Universalist minister and accredited interim minister who served continually in interim ministry for more than a decade. She lives in Nashville, Indiana

Keith Kron is the director of our Unitarian Universalist Association's Office of Ministerial Transitions. Previously, he was director of the UUA's Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful to read this as our congregation enters the beginning of our interim period, following the departure (retirement) of our beloved minister of 7 years. Let's not rush the search for a new "replacement" settled minister. Instead, let's enter into this interim time and complete the tasks we need to do, figuring out who we have been in the past, who we are now, and who we want to be, both to ourselves as a congregation, and to the community around us. This was helpful in outlining the role of the interim minister and the roles of the transition team, board, officers, and other leaders.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very informative, especially helpful to me now, as my faith community begins an interim period after the retirement of our 15 year settled minister. A well trained interim minister is with us for the next two years as we transition to a new settled minister. This interim period will be one of mourning what has ended and designing what is to come. This book clearly tells the reader just what is to be expected of the interim minister, and what we should not expect. I stopped reading at the point where the search for the settled minister begins, which will be next year. As that time approaches I will pick up the book again.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Resource

The book is primarily about interim ministry within the Unitarian Universalist Church, but it can be used in any church setting. There is timely information contained in the wealth of experience contained in essays that were compiled. Church leaders would do well by reading this book. Even Board members should familiarize themselves with its content. Every church will have to transition to a new minister and this book gives the best way to be successful in these types of transitions.

[Sara]

Despite the subtitle "strategies for interim ministers and congregations", I didn't find it to address the issue from the side of the congregations in a helpful way. Really just written for interim ministers.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a superlative book for someone new to the Intentional Interim work. With both solid theoretical and practical information, it's well written and organized. While it is written explicitly for Unitarian ministry, the principles and questions asked are relevant for any congregational study.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very useful book. The minister at our Unitarian Universalist church is retiring in June, so we'll eventually need to call another settled minister. This book convinced me that a 2-year Interim ministry is required as part of this process. The first year is to grieve our great loss and re-envision ourselves as a congregation; the second year is for the Ministerial Search Committee to do their work. I hope to attend a discussion of this book that will happen in a few weeks.