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Interim Ministry
The interim ministry period is a time of growth and transformation. The time between settled ministers offers the congregation the time to come to terms with its history, manage its conflicts, embrace a new identity, reconsider its leadership, reconnect with the larger Unitarian Universalist movement, and embrace a new mission and vision for its next settled ministry.
Good interim ministries reconnect the congregation with its shared history and values, giving the congregation an assessment of who they collectively are, and the desire and ability to move forward with anticipation and zest. |
Larry Smith
Larry Smith is an Accredited Interim Minister in Training (AIMIT) who has served six congregations in transitional ministry. With twelve years of congregational ministry experience, he has served churches in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Georgia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Since entering the accredited interim ministry program, all of the settled ministers in the congregations Rev. Smith served have experienced continued and thriving ministries. This he considers the hallmark of a successful interim ministry. |
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| In order to make the interim ministry more effective, Rev. Smith studied congregational conflict management, congregational growth processes and transitions, ways to make meetings more effective and the techniques of congregational change through the Alban Institute. Additional work has been done with the Carver model of Policy Governance in both congregations and the Joseph Priestley Board of Trustees. These were in addition to the basic training for interim ministers offered through the Interim Ministry Network. |
Adult Religious Education
Adult Religious Education during the interim ministry can be an effective way to reconnect congregants with the larger religious movement and renew their interconnections with each other. |
Preaching
In addition to the regular seasonal services, Rev. Smith feels it important to educate the congregation about issues relevant to interim ministry. Sermons might address Unitarian Universalist history, interpersonal conflict, the role of social justice, anti-oppression work, the relationship between minister and congregation, expectations, dreams and hopes, covenant, changes and transitions. These are tailored specifically to the issues that the congregation experiences during the interim ministry. |
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