Overview

Disciples Interims Purpose is to: 

• TRAIN and equip leaders for intentional interim ministry, 
• SUPPORT leaders seeking engaged in interim ministry, and 
• CONNECT ministers, congregations, regions, and ministry partners to support transitions and build partnerships. 

TRAIN – SUPPORT – CONNECT 

Disciples Interims is a community of active and retired interim ministers, Regional staff, and congregational leaders that offers training, support, and connections for clergy interested in serving as interims. Building on the work of The Association of Disciples Intentional Interim Ministers (ADIIM), Disciples Interims serves with Disciple Home Missions, The College of Regional Ministers, and a network of experienced and aspiring interim leaders.

There is a huge need for new Disciple interim ministers. Baby boomer ministers are headed for retirement, and there are openings for interim and settled ministers. Ministers of all ages are now serving as interims. 

Since 2021, Disciples Interims has offered online training courses to over 150 students.   Interim Ministry Basics is training offered by a team of experienced Disciples ministers at a fraction of the cost of training elsewhere. Many Regional ministers are helping to pay tuition for ministers in their area. 

Here’s the syllabus and the course description!

Other training resources are being developed. Networking and support help ministers serve faithfully and effectively.

Resources

Syllabus for Interim Ministry Basics Spring 2025

Topic: Interim Ministry · Syllabus · Mar 2025

By: Scott Woolridge

Before the training begins, a link for a tutorial covering the Learning Platform will be emailed ahead. Please complete the tutorial before Session 0. Sunday, April 27 – Session 0. Orientation Session, introductions to one other, to the faculty, to the syllabus, and to the Learning Platform.

Why is Training Needed

Topic: Continuing Education, Interim Ministry · Article, Explainer · Jan 2018

By: Will Jewsbury

Could I have done interim work without training? Of course! My experience as a pastor would have been welcomed in any number of congregations. Would I have been as effective without training? I don’t think so!

Search and Call Tips for Interims

Topic: Continuing Education, Interim Ministry · Article, Explainer · Jan 2018

By: Disciples Interims

As an intentional interim minister, your ministerial profile and length of time documents work differently than a minister who is searching for a “settled” position.

Interim Ministry Testimony

Topic: Continuing Education, Interim Ministry · Article, Explainer · Jan 2018

By: Hank Anderson

I discovered that as an interim minister I could help congregations re-envision their future, and that was tremendously energizing. Working with congregations in transition allows me to live out that ministry in a compact and focused period of time.

To be or not to be…  

Topic: Continuing Education, Interim Ministry · Article, Explainer · Jan 2018

By: Steve Welker

My joy in interim ministry comes from helping the congregation through those five “tasks” moving them from where they were to where they will be when a settled pastor is called.

What Is an Interim Time in a Congregation?

Topic: Continuing Education, Interim Ministry · Article, Explainer · Jan 2018

By: Terry Foland

Congregations have times after a pastor has left, for whatever reason, before they have been able to engage a new minister for a new call agreement. In the church today we call this an interim time.

Experience

Under the Experience tab you will find Videos and Multimedia productions from/featuring Disciples Interims.

Visioning for Congregations and Ministers

A Panel Conversation featuring Scott Woolridge, Hank Anderson, Jean Vandergrift, and Gilberto Collazo

Engage

Under the Engage tab you’ll find a list of Upcoming and Past Events from Disciples Interims.

Upcoming Events

Family Systems Theory: Connecting the Pieces – Leadership and Systems Wisdom

Date: June 17, 2025 7:00 pm – August 12, 2025 9:00 pm (Eastern)

Location: Online Via Zoom

Program: Disciples Interims, Silver Chalice

Interim Ministry Basics – Fall 2025

Date: September 8, 2025 7:00 pm – October 27, 2025 9:00 pm (Eastern)

Location: Online Via Zoom

Program: Disciples Interims

Past Events

Family Systems Theory Webinar Series

Date: January 14, 2025 7:00 pm – March 4, 2025 7:00 pm (Eastern)

Location: Online Via Zoom

Program: Disciples Interims

Interim Ministry Basics

Date: April 28, 2025 12:00 am – June 23, 2025 12:00 am (Eastern)

Location: Online Via Zoom

Program: Disciples Interims