CHC presents Interim Ministry Training (IMT): the next generation in interim ministry.
An IMT-transition pastor can provide an in-depth consulting and advising process based on the Spirit’s leadership and the individual church’s needs. The Center for Healthy Churches Interim Ministry Training is the best guide for a new generation of interim and transition pastors.
This training is based on the principles developed by Russell Crabtree in Transition Apparitions: Why Much of What We Know about Pastoral Transitions Is Wrong. Crabtree uses an evidence-based approach which shows a one-size-fits-all approach ignores the uniqueness of each congregation.

Only CHC-IMT Provides:
- A practical approach to transition ministry based on systems theory
- How to perform systems assessments in any setting
- Techniques to discern the unique DNA of the church, its context, and its compelling mission and vision for ministry
- How to address the anxiety that happens in every ministry transition
- Personalized Emotional Intelligence Assessment
- Follow-up coaching for participants offered
- Who Should Participate?
- Ministers looking to refresh and retool for a new chapter of ministry.
- Experienced transition ministers who want to enhance their skills.
- Judicatory officials who recognize the importance of transition ministry in their region.
After completing the course, you will feel confident assessing churches in transition and helping them move toward a new future. You can rely on a cohort of coaching peers who utilize the same approach in other contexts.
May 8-11, 2023
Raleigh NC
Location: Raleigh Baptist Association Building
Cost: $2000
- Includes twenty-four hours of training and lunch every day.
- Begins noon Monday- concludes noon Thursday.
- Participants are responsible for additional meals and lodging arrangements.
- For more information email Bill Owen
October 16-19, 2023
Nashville TN
Location: Belmont University- Franklin Campus
Cost: $2000- Includes twenty-four hours of training and lunch every day.
- Begins noon Monday- concludes noon Thursday.
- Participants are responsible for additional meals and lodging arrangements
- For more information email Bill Owen
Outdated Models Teach:
- More theory than practical application
- “One size fits all” approach
- Grief is the primary emotion in all transitions
CHC’s Interim Ministry Training course emphasizes:
The need to discern the unique DNA of the church, its context, and its compelling mission and vision for ministry in the 21st Century. Those are the factors that drive the profile of the church’s next leader.
Here’s what 2022 participants shared…
“The training was very beneficial. The emphasis on systems and appreciative inquiry will be valuable as I work with churches. The CHC Model is very holistic and complete.”
“How often does an interim pastor have the opportunity to spend several days picking the brains of a certified congregational coach and a certified psychotherapist? Dr. Bill Owen’s pastoral experience (32 years in one church) and Dr. Keli Rugenstein’s ability to merge her psycho-analytic training with her love of the local church make them a team that anyone planning to work with churches in transition or churches in high-anxiety circumstances would benefit from and enjoy learning from. “
“The Interim Ministry Training offered by the Center for Healthy Churches provided a wealth of information that is so helpful for anyone serving congregations in transition during the pastoral interim(s). The leaders bring a wealth of experience and insight focused on a healthy process to facilitate Congregational health in times of transition. “
“Bill & Keli are an extraordinary team. This was as profitable a training experience as I have experienced in many years. Thank you for providing this training! – I appreciate that this was offered in person.”
“I am deeply indebted to Bill and Keli, the leaders for this session, and the CHC for providing detailed and meaningful training. I will be a better Transitional / Interim Pastor because of this training. I wholeheartedly endorse the Center for Healthy Churches if you consider Interim Ministry.”
READ WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING…
At last, an interim pastor training has been developed that integrates 20th-century tools into an evidence-based approach and promises more effective pastoral transitions for thousands of churches in the future. STEP (Strategic Transition Education Program) has realized the vision that I conceived twenty years ago: integrating organizational intelligence with other first-rate methodologies to facilitate succession processes that are site-specific. In addition, Dr. Keli Rugenstein has fused her training approach with a proven asset-based model to create a process that I believe is unique in the field. I am proud to say that STEP has taken the best of my 20 years of work in the area of pastoral transitions and developed it into a system of instruction that constitutes a watershed opportunity in transition ministry.
Rev. Russ Crabtree
Author: Transition Apparitions, Owl Site, Fly in the Ointment, Elephant in the BoardroomAfter forty-five years of pastoral ministry in the church, I strongly recommend Interim Ministry Training (IMT) as a long-needed and new strategy for helping churches effectively work through pastoral transitions. IMT brings a corrective lens to leaders’ and churches’ assumptions about pastoral transitions. IMT provides approaches for dealing with the anxiety that surfaces in pastoral transitions. The training was helpful in understanding that significant issues and even conflicts that emerge during a transition result from uncertainty.
Often in a pastoral transition, the focus and first question become what “I want in a new pastor.” The IMT Training begins with a process of spiritual discernment for the congregation by asking, “What does God want?” The training also looks at congregational identity and core values as a part of preparing a pastoral profile.
I attended the IMT Training over three years ago and have become an evangelist for IMT It is “good news” for churches that face the potential landmines of an uncertain pastoral transition. I was in my twenty-fourth year as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Abilene, and planning for my retirement. I have since retired. The IMT Training provided the experience and strategy I could offer to church leadership in taking the first step of understanding and preparing for the pastoral transition. IMT is a part of my legacy… I was able to pass on a map and strategy to guide leadership in the decisions the church will be making during the interim. IMT became an offering of hope to the church that the future is filled with promise.
Dr. Phil Christopher
Pastor Emeritus, First Baptist, Abilene.STEP introduced me to a new model in effectively leading churches through pastoral transitions. This model is based on a spiritual process based on seeking wisdom (James 1:5), the prayer of St. Ignatius (God’s Will: Nothing More, Nothing Else, Nothing Less), and EQ (Emotional Intelligence). After the STEP program, fortunately, I had the opportunity to implement this model in a church following the retirement of her pastor of 26 years. The model worked well and culminated in the church calling a bright, engaging, and effective new pastor who is a great fit for the congregation!
Jim Vaught
This course taught the most practical implementation of Family Systems Theory I have ever had. This relational approach is a much better preparation for any pastor coming into a new call, not just transitional pastors. I heartily recommend this course for pastors at any point in their career and even think it should be required for all seminarians!
Rev. Lisa Heckman
PCUSAThis is excellent training for any pastor to assess their current situation and how they can move their congregation to a new level of ministry. It is especially important for those who are considering or already involved in transitional ministry.
Rev. Dr. Randolph T. Riggs
PCUSAThe information provided and practice time allotted during the S.T.E.P. training will help me finish well where I have been for 18 years and serve me well as I help other churches in transition. This is a very helpful process regardless of where you are in ministry and much needed.
Rev. Nancy Ryan
I appreciate the “walk alongside” emphasis of the STEP Process. The coach approach provides an excellent approach to aiding a congregation to take a realistic, healthy look at their present reality and take systematic, planned steps toward the selection of a new pastor. This approach helps the entire church take seriously their responsibilities during their pastoral transition. -Ken Kessler, Coaching Network Director, BGAV
This is a great tool to have in the toolbox of ministry. It is like an adjustable wrench that can be adapted to many different situations.
Mike Parnell, Sr. Pastor
Temple Baptist ChurchI attended STEP as somewhat an anomaly. Although I have served churches for over 40 years in various ministerial capacities and had a career in hospital chaplaincy, I have never been a senior pastor. Not only was I welcomed by CHC leadership to participate, they, and training participants, accepted, affirmed and encouraged me in the journey. The material is well written and I am confident that this training will serve me well when God provides me the opportunity to accept a call as Transition Pastor. -Neal Sasser, Pullen Memorial BC, Raleigh
This is an excellent alternative to all other transition training with a fresh perspective.
Bruce Queen
IIMVery helpful training. If used in the local church it can help the congregation see where they have been and draw them toward being who they can be.
Danny Owens
Orcatt Baptist, Newport News, VAFor more information on upcoming training topics and schedules, contact:
Bill Owen at billo@chchurches.org.