# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S185 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 185 WHEREAS, No policies or guidelines have been developed or cir- culated throughout the Synod concerning the [Intentional Interim Ministry; and WHEREAS. The Intentional] Interim Ministry would seem to cre- ate a pastoral ministry with limited duration, placing on hold the regular call tor a pastor for up to two years; and Wuereas, C. F. W. Walther warms against such temporary calls (Pastoral Theology, pp. 26-29); and WHEREAS, The original Overture 3-17 identifics the need to re- frain from the kind of temporary calls warned against by Walther: and WHEREAS, The Council of Presidents has not fulfilled the re- quest to set guidelines and policies for the Intentional Interim Min- istry, per Res. 3-17B; therefore be it Resolved, That proper policies and guidelines be developed by a task force established by President Barry; and be it further Resolved, That the policies and guidelines then be submitted for review and study by the CTCR to justify the Intentional Interim Ministry in light of Walther’s warning against temporary calls: and be it finally Resolved, That the Synod construct a simple letter stating guide- lines to use in the event of a vacancy with instructions about the proper use of the vacancy pastor and the congregation’s right to choose its pastor. Pilgrim, West Bend, WI; Zion. Tomball. TX 3-88 To Support Intentional Interim Ministry WHEREAS, Difficult transitional periods sometimes occur in the life of a congregation, such as when a long-time pastor retires. a pastor dies suddenly while in office, a congregation and its pas- tor(s) are involved in conflict, or a congregation is affected by the moral misconduct of a professional church worker; and WHEREAS, Experience has shown that a congregation often re- covers and advances best when these issues have bcen worked through during an interim period of reflection, confession, forgive- ness, reconciliation, and rebuilding guided by a specially trained pastor; theretore be it Resolved, That our Synod recognize the validity of the concept of calling an intentional interim minister by a congregation during these transitional periods; and be it further Resolved, That we express our gratitude to the pastors, leaders. and lay people who have faithfully been studying and developing the Intentional Interim Ministry program within our Synod consis- tent with our Lutheran understanding of the Office of the Ministry. Florida-Georgia Disuict: Board of Directors, New England District: Christ, Mantua, OH; Holy Cross, Pacific Palisades, CA; Hope, Aurora, OH; Bethany, Parma, OH; St. Matthew, Vermilion, OH; Ascension, North Olmsted, OH; Prince of Peace. Orlando, FL 3-89 To Support Interim Ministry Conference WHEREAS, Experience has shown that often congregational un- rest and a continuing turnover of pastors and pastoral vacancies occur and persist if transitional pastoral issues have not been care- fully and compassionately dealt with and worked through soon after they have occurred: and WHEREAS, One positive solution in our midst has been for a congregation to call a specialized, trained LCMS pastor (specifi- cally an intentional interim minister) to guide and support a con- gregation through this transitional period; and Wuereas., God has blessed us with the LCMS Interim Ministry Conference by which concerned and experienced LCMS pastors. leaders, and lay people set the standards and credentials and de- velop the training for qualified workers to serve as intentional in- terim ministers; therefore be it Resolved, That we commend the LCMS Interim Ministry Con- ference for setting and maintaining high standards pastorally, con- fessionally, and professionally for this specialized ministry; and be it further Resolved, That we encourage the LCMS Interim Ministry Con- ference to continue to work with the Council of Presidents in de- veloping and maintaining this specialized ministry; and be it finally Resolved, That we encourage congregations to consider calling an intentional interim minister during one of these challenging pe- riods as a way, under God’s grace. to help bring healing and vision to the congregation. Bethany, Long Beach, CA: Zion, McHenry, IL; Emmanuel, Kettering, OH 3-90 To Promote Intentional Interim Ministry WHEREAS, All congregations of The Lutheran Church—Mis- souri Synod go through a transition process whenever the service of their pastor ends; and WHEREAS, [n some instances, the vacancy period may follow a long pastorate, a pastor's death, or a time of struggle, conflict, or other strain, which have the possibility to inhibit the ministry of the congregation as well as the wider church; and WHEREAS, Such a time of transition provides a unique opportu- nity for God’s people to reevaluate and reassess their subsequent ministry and service: and WHEREAS, The congregations in consultation with their District President and Circuit Counselor may choose the services of a spe- cially trained and experienced interim pastor in such a time of tran- sition, to help them deal constructively with unresolved issues and understand their potential for renewal: and WHEREAS, Experience has shown that a congregation often re- covers and advances best when serious pastoral transitional issues in a congregation have been worked through during an interim pe- riod of reflection. confession, forgiveness, reconciliation, and re- building: and WHEREAS, This takes place best around Word and Sacrament under the leadership of a well-trained and caring pastor; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod affirm the call of a congregation to an intentional interim pastor in an interim ministry situation: and be it further Resolved, That we support and encourage the LCMS Interim Ministry Conference in its efforts with the Council of Presidents in developing, authorizing, and sustaining this specialized ministry; and be it further Resolved, That congregations consider calling an intentional in- terim pastor at a time and under circumstances that may meet their special needs: and be it finally Resolved, That we commend all those in the church, led by the Holy Spirit. who faithfully bring new hope for future ministry. Bethany Long Beach, CA 3-91 To Encourage Congregations to Consider Calling Intentional Interim Ministers WHEREAS, A congregation organizes to offer a continuing min- istry of Word and Sacrament; and WHEREAS, Such continuity, when interrupted by a vacancy. oc- casions the surfacing of a variety of positive and/or negative re- sponses within a congregation that may hinder its ministry: and 2001 Convention Workbook