a 21st century guide to interim ministry training & church transitions

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. 

After 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.

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!

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!

This 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.

The 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.

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.

I 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.

Very 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.