Montreat Conference Center

Current Conferences

For Interim Pastors and Others in Transitional Ministry

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

The interim pastor is recognized as a specialized position in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). 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.

Seminar Descriptions

Week I is designed to

• introduce transitional/interim ministry to those ministers, elders, CLPs, and others serving in transitional ministries, who are contemplating this form of service as a valid ministry for them.
• provide the basic skills for ministers and others who have just begun their transitional/interim ministry and who have not completed a Week I event (or equivalent).
• provide an opportunity for a continuing education event that focuses on transitional ministry.

Week II* is designed to

• broaden the skills of participants 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 transitional/interim ministry.
  
  *Requirements for enrollment in Week II: completion of Week I and current service in a transitional ministry setting or service in a transitional ministry within the last two years (since Jan. 1, 2009). At least six months must elapse between educational events for Week I and Week II.

Spouse Track is designed for spouses of those either considering or already in transitional ministry. Regardless of the level of involvement in transitional/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 transitional/interim ministry, explore their fit within its rewards and challenges, and learn ways to strengthen their support system for ministry.

Governing Body Representatives and Committee on Ministry members are urged to attend any of these offerings. It is an opportunity to become familiar with the concerns of transitional ministry and learn how to develop and support a network of prepared participants to work as interims in their own area.

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

Key Leadership

Week I and Week II Seminar Staff

• Tim Jones, Delaware, OH; Tim is a former interim executive presbyter in two presbyteries; an associate in one presbytery; and an interim pastor in one conflicted congregation; He teaches Weeks I & II at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA and Executive Track at the Synod of Mid America/Lincoln Trails and Montreat. He is presently serving as a transition consultant with the Synod of Lincoln Trails and the Presbytery of Scioto Valley.

• Gavin Meek, New York, NY; Gavin has served as interim pastor in pastor, program and corporate size churches in Louisville, KY; Bloomington, IN; Morgantown, WV; Greensboro, NC; and Charlottesville, VA. All were exciting and challenging in their own way, several having experienced significant conflict! Gavin has all levels of interim training as well as training in the areas of personnel management, change, strategic planning and systems theory. He’s married to a Disciples’ pastor, loves travel (48 states, 37 countries), all things Scottish, good food and wine with friends.

• Paul Rhebergen, Hopewell, NJ; (co-team leader) 35 years as ordained minister with 20+ years as an interim; experience in conflict resolution, ministry following clergy misconduct, and ministry following long-term pastors. Paul is currently serving as the interim pastor of the Wallingford, PA Presbyterian Church.
  
  
  

• Libby Rollins, Virginia Beach, VA; (co-team leader) Libby has been involved in interim ministry for eleven years. She recently moved to Virginia and began serving a church in Norfolk as Interim, following the sudden death of their Pastor. Before the move, she served four churches throughout North Alabama Presbytery during their times of pastoral transition as Interim Head of Staff, Interim Solo, and Interim Associate Pastor. She joined the teaching team in 2008. She is one half of a clergy couple with her husband serving as an installed Pastor, and they have one son. She enjoys cooking, traveling, and going to the spa.

• Carol Shellenberger, Bozeman, MT; Carol has been involved with interim ministry since 1996. She has served congregations from under 50 members to over 400 members in northern California. She joined the interim ministry education team in 2002 and has taught at several sites. In 2008 she moved with spouse, John, to Montana and enjoys the outdoor activities it offers for hiking, cross country skiing and romping with her two Labradors.

• Jackie Pinkowski has been in Interim Ministry for nearly 15 years. As a ruling elder serving on COM she saw the importance of Interim Ministry. As a teaching elder she has served churches in Ohio, Montana, New York and now back to Ohio. Jackie has served churches during transitional periods and is currently serving as a Transitional Pastor in New Philadelphia, Ohio. The titles may differ, but all of the positions have required the essential learning she received during Interim Ministry Training.

Spouse Track Leaders

• Jan & Harris Schultz, Nashville, TN; Jan served five congregations as an interim Christian Educator/Youth Director prior to her retirement as Interim Christian Educator at First Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. She has served as the coordinator for the Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists (APIMS) and the coordinator for the Interim Ministry Education Consortium for many years. For the past six years, she has team taught the Interim Ministry Spouse Track with her spouse Harris at Montreat Conference Center and Zephyr Point Conference Center. She also teaches in Week One and Week Two at Montreat. Harris retired at the end of 2006 after serving small, mid-size, and larger congregations, the last five as interim pastor of program or corporate congregations. He has been a leader in interim ministry education for over 15 years, having taught in several sites related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He is editor of The Bridge, the quarterly newsletter for the Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists. He received the D.Min degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1996, where he focused on pastoral care with attention to transitional ministries.

• Lynne & Steve Myers, Brownsville, TX; Lynne has served 7 urban, rural and suburban churches from less than 50-1500 members as an installed and interim pastor. She has also served as a Presbytery Stated Clerk and Interim Executive Presbyter. She has been an interim pastor since 1995, an Interim Ministry Specialist since 1998 and has taught weeks I, II, and Executive Training at 4 PCUSA sites since 1999. She looks forward to the new possibility of shared teaching with her husband. Steve Myers knows the church as an active member in 5 churches, has served multiple terms as an Elder in 2 congregations and Deacon in 1 congregation. In addition, he has organized Adult Christian Education and Mission Committees and taught Adult CE classes. He has been on many church and PDA mission trips and currently serves on Mission Presbytery’s Immigration Task Force. Steve has been a church/member spouse in 3 congregations and supportive spouse of the other ministries Lynne has served. He is a retired electrical engineer.

Worship Leadership

• Beth Scibienski, Kendall Park, NJ; serves as the pastor of the Community Presbyterian Church in Kendall Park, NJ where they use a team approach to worship, soliciting the gifts among them and looking for innovative ways to listen and respond to the Spirit. She lives in NJ with her husband Pete.
  
  

Registration Information

Each seminar has limited enrollment. Please register early. Registrations for Week I must be postmarked by July 27 in order to be accepted. Registrations for Week II must be postmarked on or before July 13 in order to be accepted. The above dates 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.

Rates below include conference fee plus a $5 community services fee per person for public services provided by the Town and the fire district. Housing & meals are not included in this rate.

• On or before July 13: $424 – clergy only; $469 – clergy and non-clergy spouse
• After July 13: $449 – clergy only; $494 – clergy and non-clergy spouse

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Accommodations

Rates for Assembly Inn and Reynolds Lodge are per person and include all charges for room and meals for the entire conference (Sunday supper-Friday lunch. NO WEDNESDAY SUPPER). Additional charges will apply for any extended stay.

Assembly Inn

• Double, Private Bath: $330.75 per person
• Single, Private Bath: $530.75
• Double, Connecting Bath: $293.25 per person
• Single, Connecting Bath: $455.75
• Children 12 and older: $130.75
• Children ages 5-11: $66.50
• Children under 5: no charge

Reynolds Lodge

• Double, Hall Bath $268.25 per person
• Single, Hall Bath $405.75
• Children 12 and older: $130.75
• Children ages 5-11: $66.50
• Children under 5: no charge

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Refund Policy

Registrations and housing cancellations for the Assembly Inn must be received by July 13 in order to receive a refund. The $100 deposit is completely non-refundable. All requests must be in writing and received via email, fax or US mail. Cancellations received by July 13 will receive a refund of all funds paid, minus the $100 deposit. Cancellations received between July 13 and August 13 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 13.

More Information…

• Seminars begin Sunday, August 26, with check in, 3:30-5:30 PM, Assembly Inn Lobby. You are required to be present by 6:30 p.m.
• Seminars end Friday, August 31, with closing worship that begins at 11 a.m.
• Scholarships are available for this conference.
• If you would like registration information mailed to you via U.S. mail, please email carolo[at]montreat.org.
• Questions about the conference? Email Tracy Taylor Bailey at tracyb[at]montreat.org.
• Child care is not provided during this seminar.
• Find out more about housing options available in Montreat.

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

Learn more about other opportunities offered by The Center for Faith & Life…

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