Interim Ministry
| Needs Assessment | Letter of Agreement | Welcome Litany | Developmental Tasks |
| Pastor's Report | Litany of Farewell | Exit Report | Congregational Evaluation |
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SYNOD
CONGREGATIONAL INTERIM NEEDS ASSESSMENT
1. During a time of transition, many feelings can emerge such as loss, anger, confusion, concern, broken trust, conflict, and apathy. Have any of these emerged in this congregation?
2. Are there any financial problems related to the departure of the former pastor that would necessitate cutting back on staff and ministry during this interim time?
3. Have there been any significant changes in the scheduling or frequency of any of the following: regular staff meetings, council planning retreats, volunteer appreciations, congregational potlucks, special speakers or services for special celebrations?
4. How available would an interim pastor need to be to serve this congregation during the time of transition? Half-time? Full-time? Resident in town? Commuter okay?
5. What is the health of communications in the congregation? Are there things that limit the sense of community with one another that need to be reconciled?
6. How many years did the pastor who just left your congregation serve here?
7. Do you understand that the role of interim pastor is to be someone to whom you can talk with confidentially about issues, opinions, questions and complaints; and who, after listening and helping you with them, would then move on to give the congregation a fresh start with your next regularly called pastor?
8. Do you need to evaluate the size, composition and gifts of your present staff?
9. What is the relationship of this congregation with the programs and staff of the Rocky Mountain Synod?
10. What, beyond Sunday morning worship service, funerals, and one class or meeting per week, might be the role and responsibility of an interim pastor?
11. Does your congregation have a mission statement that identifies its goals? One that is known by the members? Is it time to decide new directions for ministries that are known and integrated into the lives of its members?
12. Would a personnel and/or parish committee, which helps work through difficult personality and interrelationship issues, be something new for your congregation? Please explain.
13. Do you have people in positions of leadership who feel the need to let go so that new leadership can emerge from among the congregation? Is new leadership ready to step forward?
14. In the recent past, has an issue among your staff or congregation caused disruption or a feeling of trust being broken?