For the Local Church Contact Person

Checklist

_____Become familiar with the Interim Ministries-ABC Program through reading and 

          conferring with your regional staff.

_____Help the church board or committee responsible for interim decisions to

          understand the program and to decide to request an interim pastor for the

          church.

_____Interpret the needs of the church for this interim time to the regional staff person.

_____Clarify with the regional staff person what the church's fee for the assignment will

          be and how that fee is to be paid.

_____Clarify the financial arrangements with the church treasurer, giving the treasurer

          the copy of material which has been provided.

_____Keep in touch with the regional staff person while an interim pastor is being

          secured.

_____Arrange for the selection of a person, or preferably a couple, to be responsible

          for housing, giving them the copy of material which is provided.

_____Contact the chairperson or the official board of Board of Deacons to arrange a

          meeting of the board and the interim pastor during the first few days of the

          assignment to discuss expectations and goals for the interim ministry.

_____Announce the coming of the interim pastor to the congregation in a worship

          service, the church newsletter, etc.

_____Introduce the interim pastor in the worship service on the first Sunday of the

          assignment, and plan a reception or other occasion to help the congregation be

          welcoming.

_____Stay supportively in touch with the interim throughout the assignment.

_____When the interim leaves the church, arrange for a farewell celebration

          (reception, dinner, etc.) and possibly a gift to express appreciation.

Interim Ministries-ABC is a non-profit organization associated with the American Baptist Churches, USA. To visit their homepage, click on the logo to the left.