Most Typical Questions Asked About Ministers-at-Large and Appointed Interim Pastors

1. How much will it cost?
   

There is one fee paid monthly to our national office equivalent to:

Former pastor's compensation amount and auto reimbursement. Figures derived from current budget.
Furnished housing and utilities.

2. How soon can someone come?

Plan for six weeks from your actual request date as a minimum. Interim pastors are in short supply and sometimes it takes longer than this.
 

3. How does the process work?
    
   1. Church agrees to use the process.
   2. Region staff will forward the request to the Interim Ministries-ABC office.
   3. Executive Director will search for a person willing to come. The search will take carefully into account the church's theological perspective, size, self-image, cultural setting and strongest current needs.
   4. Region staff will review and bring a recommended name (sometimes two names) and brief biographical sketch to the committee.
   5. Church says "Yes," and agrees to have housing ready for a date mutually agreeable to all parties. If "No," search process begins again.
       
4. Do we get to interview and hear the person preach?
   
   

   Usually not. This is a program of trust, long distances and simplification. All of us are committed to having it work very well for you. Sometimes a phone interview is arranged if the interim pastor is willing.
    

5. What if we do not like the person assigned?
   
   

   The program has a policy that in the first two weeks either party can end the arrangement. The interim pastor would be withdrawn and another selected. Our success rate is very high.
    

6. Could we call the interim to be our pastor?
   
   

   No. This is a great opportunity to teach about church dynamics. Reasons for this policy are included in the orientation packet.

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.