| | The Time Between:
Interim Ministry Weeks One and Two
October 5-9, 2009
Monday 12:30 p.m. through Friday 12:00 p.m.
Location: The Erdman Center - Princeton Theological Seminary's Center of Continuing EducationThe interim pastor is recognized as a specialized position in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Presbyteries increasingly encourage sessions to call an interim while the congregation is in transition between installed pastors, a time that may vary in length from one to three years. Pastors come to interim ministry from varied backgrounds; some are new graduates from seminary, others are at mid-career, and many are retired ministers who wish to continue in service. In partnership with the Synod of the Northeast (PCUSA), the Erdman Center is pleased to offer Weeks One and Two concurrently (that is, separately and at the same time). Week One This course is designed to provide the basic skills for ministers who have just begun their interim ministry. It is also an introduction to interim ministry for ministers contemplating this form of service as a future calling. Participants will explore the unique dynamics of congregations in transition, the work of the intentional interim pastor as leader in transition time, biblical foundations for interim ministry, and judicatory relationships. Those attending should be ordained ministers or individuals with judicatory responsibilities related to interim ministry. Please click here to download the Week One Welcome Pack, which includes the program schedule and program requirements. Week Two This advanced program is meant to broaden and build upon the skills acquired and practiced after Week One. Participants will engage in group reflection and learning grounded in the specific practice of interim ministry. Please click here to download the Week Two Welcome Pack, which includes the program schedule and program requirements. Ecumenical participation is welcomed and encouraged.
This course is cosponsored with the Synod of the Northeast, and its curriculum has been standardized by the Presbyterian Interim Ministry Consortium, which coordinates events at regional sites across the country. Program Leaders: Amy Fowler, in her first sixteen years in ministry, served as pastor in small, medium, and large congregations. She has also worked as governing body staff in Whitewater Valley and Chicago Presbyteries. She comes with experience in leading workshops at various PC(USA) conferences, as well as training events for congregational transformation in several Presbyteries. She is currently serving Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery as Associate Executive for Congregational Development and serves on the faculty of the Interim Ministry Consortium. Paul Rhebergen has thirty two years of experience; 13 years in called positions, 19 years as an interim in associate, solo-pastor, and multiple-staff positions. He has served in many different settings, rural to urban, 50 to 1,000+. With training and experience in conflict resolution, ministry following clergy misconduct, and ministry following long term pastors, Paul has served as a “tethered interim” in New Jersey since 1993. He is presently serving as the Interim Pastor at the Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church, in New Brunswick Presbytery, and serves on the faculty of the Interim Ministry Consortium. Joan Marshall is a retired Presbyterian minister. She began her ministry in Christian/church education and considers Interim Ministry a teaching ministry. Currently residing in Illinois, she has served as interim in eleven congregations over a fifteen year period and has enjoyed serving on the faculty of the Interim Ministry Consortium since 2001. Early in her interim experience she began to understand that the chief work of congregations during the interim period is to discover God's call to them in the present moment and then to transform their mission and ministry in order to fulfill that call. She enjoys being with children and grandchildren, traveling, and reading in her leisure time. Bill Lawser, a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a consultant in congregational transformation with Heartwood LLC. In ordained ministry for over 28 years, Bill has served the local parish as an associate pastor, church educator, and interim pastor. He has also served as presbytery staff in congregational development. A native of Pennsylvania, he has served the church from coast to coast and back again. He currently lives in Illinois and serves on the faculty of the Interim Ministry Consortium.
Audience: Ministry professionals.
Registration Fees: Note: Payment in full is required to complete registration. Contact Hours: 30
Continuing Education Units: 3.0 Registration Requirements All participants: Participation in the entire program is necessary for certification. The schedule (available in the program descriptions, above) runs until 9:00 p.m. on several nights. Participants are strongly encouraged to stay on campus. Week One: Ministers of the Word and Sacrament (PCUSA) are strongly encouraged to present written approval prior to attending this program. Sample approval language would include an attestation the participant is a 'member in good standing' and may be endorsed by the Executive Presbyter, Stated Clerk, or Committee on Ministry Chair. This attestation may be physically or electronically mailed. Registration is limited to the thirty six participants. Registration is full, but there is a wait list. Please click here to download the Week One Welcome Pack and requirements. Week Two: Participants must present proof of successful completion of Week One within the previous five years, and be in current service as an interim or in transitional ministry. There are reading and writing assignments that are to be completed prior to arriving. These assignments are included in the Week Two Welcome Pack. Please click here to download the Week Two Welcome Pack. Registration is limited to a minimum of seven and a maximum of twelve participants. Read Registration and Cancellation Policy here. Register: The Erdman Center
20 Library Place
Princeton NJ 08540-6824
Additional questions may be asked by telephone at 609.497.7990 or by e-mail at coned@ptsem.edu. | |
“A good interim pastor will ‘hit the ground running,’ beginning his or her time with the congregation with intensity and energy,and will leave with intentionality, engaging in a ‘good goodbye’ with the congregation and its staff.”
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