Transitional
Interim Pastor
SERVICES
Transitional
Interim Pastor
SERVICES
Guiding Churches from Anxiety to Anticipation
Churches often experience a season when evaluation, healing, and renewal are essential before searching for and inviting a new pastor to the congregation. The TIPS ministry (Transitional Interim Pastor Service) is designed for churches just like yours. The ministry uses trained interim pastors, those who have a track record of effective ministry, to come and serve a congregation for several months while the search process takes place. This provides grounding for the staff and leadership of the church as well as a sense of well-being for the congregation during the interim.
How it Works
WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE INTERIM TIME?
Our focus is on creating a healthier church. Our simple process begins with a church health assessment, a focused time of spiritual renewal, planning and implementation of the plan for church health.
CHURCH HEALTH ASSESSMENT
NXTStep Church Services (our parent organization) provides full assessment of the church to identify the uniqueness of the church, and the strengths and opportunities facing the church as they move into a new season of ministry. The health assessment helps inform the search process for the next pastor.
SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
Our interim pastors lead a time of focused prayer and renewal to assist the church in discerning and following God’s will for the future of the church. We believe as Oswald Chambers said “prayer does not prepare us for greater works, it is the greater work.”
A PLAN FOR EFFECTIVE MINISTRY
From the assessment results, a Transition Team is selected from among the congregation to review and put a plan together to implement the recommendations of the assessment report.
IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN
New energy and optimism ensue as plans are implemented and goals are achieved. The team will give clear and consistent communication to the church.
“The TIPS ministry is a very good transition
system. Our church was going through a time of
struggle and we needed help. The TIPS pastor
came in and helped stabilize our situation and
guided us through the process. We are healthy
again and moving forward with good success.”
–layperson
Drexel, North Carolina
Drexel, North Carolina
“We had been struggling for a good number of years
and we were in decline. The TIPS pastor came,
and we went through a time of spiritual renewal.
We refocused on unity, spiritual growth, and
maturity. We have secured our pastor for
the future, and we are excited!”
–Church Leader
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
FAQs
HOW MUCH DOES THIS COST?
Our commitment to the church is that having a full-time interim will cost no more than the church is currently paying its lead pastor in the total package. We work very hard to make sure finances are never a reason not to have an intentional interim.
HOW IS THE INTERIM PASTOR SELECTED?
NCS will conduct a pre-assessment with the governing board and from that assessment, we will recommend a TIP that we think would be a good fit. We will then arrange a video call with NCS, the TIP and the governing board to make sure the recommended TIP and church agree that it is a good fit.
HOW DO WE BEGIN THE PROCESS OF BRINGING A TRANSITIONAL INTERIM PASTOR TO OUR CHURCH?
Let us know your desire to consider an intentional interim and we will arrange a time for a video conference call with your leaders to explain the TIPS ministry and how it can guide your church through the season of transition. We invite state and regional pastors to join the conversation to foster partnership and cooperation in serving your congregation.
