Montreat Conference Center

Current Conferences

“The Art of Transitional Ministry”

This year’s seminar runs four concurrent sessions (Week I, Week II, Spouse Track, and Beyond Basic)

The interim pastor is recognized as a specialized position in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Some interim pastors enter this field straight out of seminary; others enter at mid-career and find a new enthusiasm in this more specialized kind of ministry. Still others are retired ministers who wish to continue in service for a few more years. Presbyteries increasingly encourage sessions to call an interim while the congregation is in transition between installed pastors. Interim assignments vary in length from three months to a year or more.

This specialized ministry often requires skills which include reorganizing a session or congregation, problem-solving, program maintenance and conflict management, as well as providing trained leadership through a transitional period.

The interim is one who understands and helps the congregation address the five developmental tasks: coming to terms with history; shifts of leadership; thinking denominational linkages; discovering a new identity; and commitment to new pastoral leadership and to a new future.

The curriculum for these events has been standardized at regional sites across the country. Weeks are not repeatable. However, if it has been more than six years since you attended Week I training, you should take it again.

Week I is designed to

• introduce interim ministry to ministers contemplating this form of service as a valid ministry for them.
• provide the basic skills for ministers who have just begun their interim ministry and who have not completed a week I event (or equivalent).

Week II * is designed to

• broaden the skills of ministers who have completed week I at any one of the approved regional sites (a list of those sites and scheduled events is available upon request).
• provide a group process of reflection and learning grounded in the participant’s practice of interim ministry.

Beyond Basic ** is designed for interim ministers who would like to continue their training within a specialized topic. This year’s topic will focus on

• experiencing the gifts of spiritual formation as a part of engaging in interim ministry.
• equipping interim ministers with the skills to embrace discernment in decision making.
• engaging and equipping interim ministers in the work of spirituality and its central role in congregational transformation.

*Requirements for enrollment in Week II: completion of Week I and current service as an interim or service as an interim within the last two years (since Jan. 1, 2006). At least six months time must elapse between training for Week 1 and Week II.

**Requirements for enrollment in beyond basic: completion of both Week I and Week II and current service as an interim or service as an interim within the last two years (since Jan. 1, 2006).

Spouse Track is designed for spouses of pastors either considering or already in interim positions. Spouses are encouraged to participate in the interim ministry spouse track. Regardless of the level of involvement in interim ministry, it is good to understand the unique characteristics of this specialized ministry. Together, through a variety of activities, spouses will develop a basic understanding of interim ministry, explore their fit within its rewards and challenges, and learn ways to strengthen their support system for ministry. Spouses are encouraged to attend some sessions with Week 1 participants, but will not be able to attend the integrative learning exercise with Week II participants or any part of the program with the beyond basic participants.

Governing Body Representatives and Committee on Ministry members are urged to attend. It is an opportunity to become familiar with the concerns of interim ministers and learn to how to develop and support a network of trained pastors to work as interims in their own area. The requirement for interim experience is waived for those who have completed Week I and wish to take Week II, or those who have completed week II and wish to take the advanced program.

Sponsored by Montreat Conference Center, in cooperation with the Interim Ministry Consortium.

Key Leaders

• Karen Haak (Wk I and II Seminar Staff). Black Mountain, NC; interim pastor, Black Mountain Presbyterian Church; previously Interim Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of Lake Michigan; member of the Interim Ministry Education faculty.

• Tim Jones, Delaware, OH; interim executive presbyter in two presbyteries; associate in one presbytery; and interim pastor in one conflicted congregation; teaches Weeks I & II at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

• Gavin D. Meek (Wk I and II Seminar Staff). Greensboro, NC; interim pastor, Guilford Park Presbyterian Church;has completed interims in Louisville, KY, Bloomington, IN, and Morgantown, WV.

• Cheryl Montgomery, Greenwood, IN has been working in interim ministry for the PCUSA for 23 years in 17 congregations. She has been an interim ministry instructor for six years and serves on the faculty of the Interim Ministry Consortium. She currently serves as designated pastor of Greenwood Presbyterian Church in Whitewater Valley Presbytery, Indiana.

• Paul Rhebergen (Wk I and II Seminar Staff). Hopewell, NJ; 30 years as ordained minister with 17 years as an interim; experience in conflict resolution, ministry following clergy misconduct, and ministry following long-term pastors.

• Harris and Jan Schultz (Spouse Track Leaders). Nashville, TN; Harris Schultz is a member of the Presbyterian national faculty for Interim Ministry Education; a member of the Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists; has served in numerous interim positions. Jan Schultz is member services coordinator of the Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists; coordinator for Interim Ministry Consortium; has served as interim director of Christian education and youth ministries.

BEYOND BASIC
“The Role of Discernment in Transformation & Interim Ministry”, August 23-27
Beyond Basic program is designed to equip interim pastors with the spiritual resources to lead congregations in discernment as they embrace and lead transitional congregations in transformation. A key to fruitful interim ministry is developing decision making skills as leaders that move beyond traditional norms and embrace the unique spirituality that is ours as Christians. Interim Pastors will be equipped with practical skills and spiritual practices, providing a framework for discernment in decision making and fostering congregational transformation. (Note: Program ends Thursday, but participants are invited to stay and join in worship Friday with other attendees.)

• Paul T. Reiter St. Louis, MO; Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy; spiritual director with emphasis on discernment in decision-making.
• Amy Williams Fowler St. Louis, MO; Associate for Congregational Development in the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy; leader in congregational transformation and spirituality.

Program Fee

• On or before July 10: $395 – clergy only; $435 – clergy and non-clergy spouse
• After July 10: $420 – clergy only; $460 – clergy and non-clergy spouse

Scholarships are available for this conference.

Cost of Housing & Meals

Housing and meal rates are per person and include all charges for room and meals for the entire conference (Sunday supper-Friday boxed lunch. NO WEDNESDAY SUPPER). Additional charges will apply for any extended stay. Children 5-11: $66.50. Children under 5: no charge. No room charge for children under 12 in the same room with parent(s).

Assembly Inn

• Single, Private Bath $575.75
• Single, Connecting Bath $480.75
• Double, Private Bath $380.75 per person
• Double, Connecting Bath $355.75 per person

Reynolds Lodge

• Single, Hall Bath $330.75
• Double, Hall Bath $305.75 per person

Registration Information

Seminars begin Sunday, August 23, with check in, 3:30-5:30 PM, Assembly Inn Lobby (program begins at 7 PM). Seminars end Friday, August 28, with closing worship at 11 AM. Beyond Basic ends Thursday, August 27, with lunch.

• Download registration information (available at a later date)

Limited enrollment. Please register early. Registrations for Week I must be postmarked by August 1 to be accepted. Registrations for Week II must be postmarked on or before July 7 to be accepted.

The dates listed above are required because of advance reading and papers which must be prepared before your attendance at the event. If you feel you can accomplish the work after the dates listed and before the event, please call for an exception at 800.572.2257, ext. 331.

Child care is not provided during this seminar.

If you would like conference information mailed to you via U.S. mail, please email carolo[at]montreat.org. Questions about the conference? Email Tracy Taylor Bailey at tracyt[at]montreat.org.

Cancellation Policy

Registrations and housing cancellations for the Assembly Inn must be received by July 15 in order to receive a refund. The $100 deposit is completely non-refundable. All requests must be made in writing and received via email, fax or US mail. Cancellations received by July 15 will receive a refund of all funds paid, minus the $100 deposit. Cancellations received between July 15 and August 15 will receive a 50% refund of conference fees and all payments made toward room and meals, minus a $40 service charge. No refunds will be issued after August 15.