NCS 2010

Transitional Interim Pastor Nationally Qualified Training & TIP National Network

1 Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

Psalm 5:3: “Morning by morning, O Lord you hear my voice…I lay my requests before you and wait in anticipation.”

Lonnie Bullock, COO New Church Specialties3918 S. Brice • Mesa, AZ 85212 • Cell: (480-682-8516)

E-mail: LBullock@NewChurchSpecialties.org

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NCS 2010

New Church Specialties

TRANSITIONAL INTERIM PASTORS“Leading a church from anxiety to anticipation”

Anxiety

1. Grieving2. Uncertainty about the future3. Power plays4. Past Experiences (can be both good and bad)

Interim Plan Developed

1. Intentional about future planning during the Interim2. Build a process that helps people move from anxiety to anticipation

Assessment – Know Your Church

1. Who are we?a. Review the historyb. Transitional Interim Church Assessment (see page 11)

2. Where do we need to go?a. Becoming a Healthy Church

Assessment – Know Your Community

1. Collecting demographic information a. Precept report included in assessmentb. From your Ministry Focus Group

2. Conducting an Unchurched Survey (how to develop & use it)3. Developing a Community Profile

a. Demographicsb. Spiritual Atmospherec. Need Determination

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Renewal – Know God1. Prayer strategy2. Passion for the lost must be developed – praying for lost people by name3. Loving the church & church loyalty4. ReFocusing – understanding the simple, 4-step process5. Building agenda harmony6. Preparing the church for change

Planning – Know the Plan1. Working with a Transition Team

a. Choosing the Transition Teamb. Purpose of the Transition Teamc. Agenda – key questions to address

2. Addressing the Needs revealed in the Church Assessmenta. Review components of the church assessmentb. Establish the agenda for the church during the transitionc. Need Determination

3. Lay Ministry Involvementa. Spiritual Giftsb. Focus on Developing Effective Teams

Implementation – Know the Path

1. Development of the Transition Action Plana. Goalsb. Action Steps to accomplish the goalsc. Use of Spiritual Strategic Planning

2. Communicationa. Develop a communication system (you can’t over-communicate!)

3. Develop a Notebook for the Incoming Pastora. Summary of all the work of the Church Transition Team

4. Celebrate the TIP Process

A New Future with your New Pastor – Anticipation!

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DESIRED OUTCOMES FOR THE POST INTERIM (TIP) CHURCH

(What will an NCS Transitional Interim Church will look like when the new Pastor arrives)

Unity

Resolution of conflict

Agenda Harmony

Spiritual & Relational vitality

A healthier church

Greater Lay Involvement

Greater respect, commitment, & love for the church

Improved facilities & grounds/ready for company

A new heart to reach lost people

Understanding of the need for change

Understand the need for, and the components of, spiritual strategic planning & a Church Action Plan

Understand the need for right core values, and a driving mission statement

Optimistic/Excited about the future

Ready for full ReFocusing, led by the new pastor

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New Church Specialties

TRANSITIONAL INTERIM PASTORSSample Timeline (all are contextualized)

“Leading a church from anxiety to anticipation”

Our study has led us to the conclusion that every TIP church is different and will therefore require adjustment to the timeline we have laid out. As you review the steps below, please remember this is only a “suggested” timeline. Depending on the needs of the church, we anticipate Transitional Interim Pastors may serve a church anywhere from 6 to 12 months. In very unique situations, there may be times where an additional 6 months may be needed but the church would be given this option at the end of the TIP covenant period.

Prior to start date: Presentation to Church Board Sign Transitional Pastor/Church/Judicatory Agreement ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________

Step 1 (1st Month) Get acquainted - Visit in homes, have coffee/lunch with the folks, etc- show them

you “you care”, win their hearts. Set week-end for full church assessment Put together Intercessory prayer team/prayer strategy ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________

Step 2 (2nd & 3rd month) Review the church’s history/Set date for church history night Order copies of the books “Loving the Church”, and “Natural Church Development”

for study with your Board and Transition Teams. This is done in monthly joint meetings.

Begin a notebook for the incoming pastor Identify the church’s powerful influencers – write a brief profile on each Preach Refocus/Renewal/church health sermons Put together/orient the transition team/Set meeting times Deal with conflict as it surfaces Make a list of issues you will need to address specific to the church you are serving Make it a point to celebrate every “win”, large or small all the way through the

process ____________________________________________________________

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Step 3 (4th & 5th month) Meet with the transition team to develop a plan to address issues of the assessment Communicate with the congregation results of the assessment Preach Refocus/Renewal/church health sermons Teach “Spiritual Learning by Listening to what God has to say” (Joint session of

Board/TT) Teach “Agenda Harmony” (Joint session of Board/TT) Teach change vision Continue to build the notebook for the incoming pastor Conduct unchurched survey Plan, and implement, “Loving the Church” Small Group study

Step 4 ( 6th & 7th month) Continue to implement the transition action plan Teach/preach “Corporate Sanctification/Loving the Church” Develop of the community profile Teach/preach passion for the lost Continue to build the notebook for the incoming pastor Celebrate “wins” Teach and lay foundation for ReFocus Do church wide spiritual gifts inventory/put on data bank in church computer ____________________________________________________________

Step 5 (8th & 9th month) Continue to teach/preach passion for the lost Continue to teach & lay foundation for ReFocus Continue to build the notebook for the incoming pastor

IF A 9 MONTH CONTRACT: Continue to teach and lay foundation for ReFocus – encourage rapid follow through

with the new pastor. Make sure notebook for the new pastor is ready to go, include a copy of “Loving the

Church”, and a personal letter from you. Place in a sealed box, leave on the Pastor’s desk.

Celebrate what God has done/filled with “anticipation” for a great future Be sure all the evaluations are completed ____________________________________________________________

IF CONTRACT IS EXTENDED, OR IS LONGER THAN NINE MONTHS:Step 6 (10, 11, & 12th month)

Continue to implement the transition action plan Continue teaching/laying foundation for ReFocus Continue to emphasis passion for the lost Make sure notebook for new pastor is up-to-date Celebrate what God has done/Ready for a great future ____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

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13 BENEFITS OF USING AN NCS TRANSITIONAL INTERIM PASTOR

1. Teaches the church to celebrate the interim time as an opportunity to grow and listen for God’s voice

2. Builds board and congregational morale during the interim & defuses the anxiety that is VERY normal in every interim situation

3. Saves large amounts of time for the Church & the Conference Minister

4. Provides high quality coaching/consulting for the local church

5. Gives access to NCS Nationally Qualified Transitional Interim Pastor’s Training

6. Provides multiple levels to choose from in the Transitional Interim Pastors process (full or part time)

7. Provides access to the NCS learning for Transitional Pastors

8. Provides an overview of the health of the church in transition

9. Helps build spiritual & relational vitality

10. Prepares the church for understanding & implementing a ReFocus

11. Helps prepare the congregation to welcome its new pastor

12. Denominational / Conference ties are strengthened

13. Preaching & Teaching that prepares the church for a successful future

4 NCS TRANSITIONAL INTERIM PASTOR SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE

1. Transitional Interim Pastors Training for conference-selected transitional pastors

2. National qualification for NCS Transitional Interim Pastors

3. Transitional Interim Pastors on-going coaching/consulting

4. Oversight of the Local Church Pastoral Interim Process, freeing the Conference Minister to focus their time on the search, interview and selection process of the next pastor with the local church

3 BENEFITS TO THE INCOMING PASTOR1. Full church assessment completed for congregational self-awareness

2. Community profile completed

3. NCS Incoming Pastors Notebook completed by the Transition Team

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Name of the Church We Are Serving with a TIP

TRANSITIONAL INTERIM PASTOR AGREEMENT

Larry McKain, Executive Director 816-591-6468 (Cell) Lonnie Bullock, COO 480-682-8516 (Cell)Administrative Asst. 480-659-2547 (Karen Bullock)NCS Coaching Office: 903-293-8053 (Tim Gates)NCS Northeast Office: 215-816-9999 (Larry Cook)

E-Mail: Office@NewChurchSpecialties.orgNCS on the Web: www.NewChurchSpecialties.org

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To: First & Last Name, Church Board Secretary, Name of the Church Judicatory Leader

Date: July 1, 2010

From: Dr. Larry McKain, Team Leader Transitional Interim Pastor Services New Church Specialties

Amount: $ TBD

Re: Transitional Interim Pastor Agreement

Beginning: TBD Ending: TBD

COVENANT OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND TRANSITIONAL INTERIM PASTOR

Having called _____________________ to serve as our Transitional Interim Pastor, we, the _______________ Church, enter into a Covenant of Ministry Relationship.

GOAL

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and with the full cooperation and participation of the congregation and Church Board, it is our goal to guide the church through a process of self-assessment and development that will produce trust, unity, optimism, excitement, hope, and readiness for a “new day” under the leadership of a new pastor.

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WHAT THE CONGREGATION CAN EXPECT FROM THE TRANSITIONAL INTERIM PASTOR:

A loving, caring pastor who will work with the Transition Team, and congregation, to provide strong pastoral care

In concert with the Transition Team, provide direction for assessment, healing, needed change, church health, and preparation for the coming of a new senior pastor

Strong Biblical preaching

Conduct monthly meetings with the Board & Transitional Team

Consult with church leaders and committees to provide advice on church ministries and operations.

To work closely with the Conference Minister

To be passionate about reaching lost people

To support the testimony of the church by living above reproach and promoting the church positively in the community.

To provide instruction that equips people for effective ministry

To make prayer, & the Word, the foundation of everything, and to lead the church in spiritual renewal

To communicate well with the congregation regarding the progress/activities of the Transition Team

WHAT THE TRANSITIONAL INTERIM PASTOR CAN EXPECT FROM THE CONGREGATION

To support the church and pastor with prayer, giving and faithful participation in church ministries

To support the Transition Team process/initiatives in preparing for the future

To provide love, support, encouragement, and pastoral care to one another

To protect the unity of the church by acting in love, refusing to gossip, quickly resolving conflict according to Scripture, and seeking God’s heart on all things

WORK SCHEDULE Because pastoral ministry cannot be measured in definitive time schedules, the TIP

will schedule his time so as to best serve the interests of the ministry needs of the church

The TIP will establish a schedule of regular office hours and make them known to church members

Special Provisions

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COMPENSATION (Salary, Housing, Benefits & Expenses) The total compensation of the TIP will be negotiated and determined between the

local church, the Conference Minister and Lonnie Bullock, NCS COO.

Ministry Expenses will be paid in accordance with IRS regulations. The church will reimburse reasonable ministry-related business expenses.

NON-CANDIDACY It is understood by the Transitional Interim Pastor and the Church that the TIP will not be a candidate for call as permanent pastor.

CHANGES TO COVENANT:This Covenant may be amended upon mutual agreement of the Church, the Transitional Interim Pastor, and the Judicatory Leader

TERMINATION:This Covenant may be terminated by two weeks notice given in writing by either party with no additional obligation accruing to either the Church or the TIP.

TERM OF COVENANT:This Covenant is effective __________ through _________. It may extended by mutual agreement.

AGREEMENT

Church Name: ____________________________________________

Church Contact: __________________________________________

Signed: ___________________________ Date ___________________

Judicatory Leader:

Signed_____________________________ Date ___________________

New Church Specialties: Lonnie Bullock, COO

Signed: _____________________________ Date: ____________________

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New Church Specialties

The Transitional Interim Church Assessment The NCS Transitional Interim Church Assessment is designed to give a clear picture of the local church’s current reality to help determine how to best move into God’s desired future. The assessment focuses on a detailed church health analysis, a life cycle evaluation, core value audit, governing board audit, 10 year statistical analysis, leadership profile and two days of interviews and observing community, people and the church. The NCS Senior Consultant will provide a detailed report (usually 40-50 pages) of the church’s current reality.

Assessment & Report Areas1. Church Health – A detailed analysis of the health of the local church using the

Natural Church Development Church Health tool. Thirty people are chosen to fill out a survey and the results of the survey are computer scored and a numerical score is assigned to each of the eight characteristics. The eight areas scored include: Leadership, Ministry, Small Groups, Evangelism, Spirituality, Structures, Relationships and Worship

2. Life Cycle Evaluation – NCS has developed a tool to help determine the location of the local church on the life cycle. Forty people are chosen to fill out a Life Cycle evaluation

3. Core Value Audit – Time is spent with the Church Board and leadership to determine Core Values of the Church.

4. Governing Board Audit – A governing board audit is used to help determine the effectiveness of the church board.

5. Statistical Analysis – A 10 year statistical analysis is done looking at Worship Attendance, Giving, Small Group involvement and Membership.

6. Leadership Profile – A profile of leadership style; spiritual gifts mix; personality mix and temperament is prepared of all church board members and Ministry Leaders.

7. Two Day On-Site Visit – This two day on site visit includes two, 2 hour meetings with the Church Board; Twenty minute Interviews over a 5 hour period with members of the congregation; Facility Evaluation; Attending Sunday AM services to observe worship and informal conversations with those who attend the church. Time is also observing the community.

8. Community Profile – A summary of the demographics of the community is included in the report to help a church better understand the people living around the church.

9. A “Grassroots” Pastoral Profile -- A profile of the strengths needed in the next pastor are identified and built in our NCS TIP Pastoral Profile. This is done in

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partnership with the activities of the Conference Minister and is delivered to their office to assist them in their work with the church board.

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