In the spring of 2013, I was content. At the time I was serving Naples United Church of Christ in a part-time role overseeing adult discipleship (see The Church of Unsticking for more about that experience) while serving full-time at Hodges University.
When I received an unexpected call from someone representing United Church of Marco Island asking if I would consider becoming their Interim Senior Pastor my initial reaction was to decline. Life was good and I was not seeking new or different ministry opportunities.
Thankfully, the caller was persistent. When he called again, I asked more (and better) questions. As I prayerfully pondered the opportunity, I realized this was an opportunity for a new beginning.
And, as I lived into this role, I found it offered multiple new beginnings.
Interim
First, this was my introduction to interim ministry. After graduating from seminary, I served in full-time permanent ministry roles in congregations affiliated with three denominations: Presbyterian (PCUSA), Lutheran (ELCA), and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Then, I was introduced to the United Church of Christ and began serving in a part-time permanent role soon thereafter.
In two of these settled roles, I learned quite a bit about interim ministry experientially. In the first congregation, the long-time Senior Pastor retired. My ministry there started during the long-time pastor’s tenure and ended well into the interim season. In the second congregation, my ministry started with an Interim Senior Pastor in place, and ended well after the settled pastor had arrived. Both congregations were large faith communities with multiple pastors and significant program staff. And, both congregations did interim ministry well, living into the opportunities it is intended to generate.
At United Church, I served as the congregation’s second interim, bridging from the initial interim to the arrival of the settled Senior Pastor.
I quickly learned that much of what interim ministry is about resonated deeply with who I am. I found myself shifting from thinking perhaps I could do interim ministry once to recognizing I wanted to explore another interim opportunity when this role ended.
Senior Pastor
Second, this was the first time I had a job title that included the words “Senior Pastor.” Previously, I had been an Associate Pastor and a Youth Pastor. I had also served in program staff roles as Director of Discipleship, Director of Youth Ministry, and Director of Ministry with Children and Families. I had filled in or otherwise covered for Senior Pastors during their vacations, but I had never been a Senior Pastor.
While every Senior Pastor role is unique nearly all include a shared list of core responsibilities involving congregational leadership, preaching, and pastoral care. This role also included significant work to help unify a divided congregation and oversight of a vibrant Thrift Store operated by the congregation.
During my time engaged in these and other tasks, I grew significantly as a person of faith and as a pastor. And, by preaching every week for the first time in a decade, I also realized that my preaching had evolved considerably and I discovered my new preaching voice.
Future Orientation
Finally, new beginnings were normative in my time at United Church of Marco Island. I have always loved change, especially when change is focused, intentional, and future oriented.
New beginnings at United Church came in many forms, including new direction, new branding, new leadership, new staff, and the call (and then the arrival) of a new Senior Pastor. Looking back, I’m encouraged to know that the my interim efforts helped the next settled Senior Pastor start well, and lead the congregation into a season of significant growth in membership, engagement, and impact.
I also experienced a number of personal new beginnings, the most profound of which revolved around an expanded sense of my calling and a deepened commitment to serving in the United Church of Christ.
So What?
New beginnings often occur in seasons when one’s life is undergoing significant change, but they can also occur in times of stability. I’m glad that I reconsidered my initial lack of interest, and pursued a new beginning in 2013 to serve as Interim Senior Pastor of the United Church of Marco Island.
And, I’m grateful that the United Church of Christ is a safe space for new beginnings – for congregations and for individual followers of the Way of Jesus.
Note: This post is part of a series: God is Doing a New Thing – My Experiences in UCC Congregations.