EVALUATIONS OF THE INTERIM TIME

EVALUATIONS OF THE INTERIM TIME

Rooted in the grace of God, the mission of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ is to nurture local church vitality and the covenant among our churches to make God s love and justice real.

Assessment of the Interim is often too subjective Conducted too late to be helpful to the Interim or the Judicatory/Conference Staff Concerns of three primary parties: The Local Church; The Interims skills and reputation ; and Judicatory/Conference Staff

The Local Church The Interim Who Evaluates Associate Conference Minister Association s Church & Ministry Committee Interim Search Committee

A Conference Model Modified Conference Model A Third Way

Evaluation completed AFTER the Interim time Evaluation is only for the Interim and the church is not evaluated

EVALUATION OF THE INTERIM Name of Pastor Name of the Church Fulltime Part time If part time, hours per week 1. What were your 3 major concerns your church when your previous pastor left? 2. How did you partner in addressing these concerns?

Please give your evaluation by circling one of the numbers on the rating scale for each of the following: 3. How clearly did the interim pastor inter-pret to the leadership of your church the purpose and tasks of the interim period? 1 2 3 4 5 (unclear) (clear) For example:* 4. How well did the interim pastor help your church fulfill those tasks? 1 2 3 4 5 (very poorly) (very well) For example:*

5. How well did the interim pastor deal with situations of conflict? 1 2 3 4 5 (very poorly) (very well) Cite an example:* 6. How well did the interim pastor relate to other members of your church staff? 1 2 3 4 5 (very poorly) (very well) Cite an example:* 7. Rate the interim pastor's performance in the following: Preaching and conduct of worship 1 2 3 4 5 Pastoral oversight 1 2 3 4 5 Administration (work with boards and committees) 1 2 3 4 5

8a. What would you have liked more from the Interim pastor? 8b. What would you have liked less from the Interim pastor? 9. Sum up, in your own words, what you feel was the impact of the interim ministry the life of your church: Name of person giving evaluation Date: Title/Position: *Additional sheets may be attached if you wish. Exhibit A

Mutual Evaluations? Question When, What time? Test Case

0BEVALUATION OF THE INTERIM PROCESS Name of Pastor Name of the Church Full-time Part-time If part time, hours per week 1. What were your 3 major concerns your church asked the interim minister to address when your previous pastor left? 2. How did you partner with the interim minister in addressing these concerns?

Please give your evaluation by circling one of the numbers on the rating scale for each of the following: 3. How clearly did the interim pastor inter-pret to the leadership of your church the purpose and tasks agreed upon for the interim period? 1 2 3 4 5 (unclear) (clear) For example:* 4. How well did the interim pastor help your church fulfill those tasks? 1 2 3 4 5 (very poorly) (very well) For example:* 4b. How well did the congregation help in fulfilling the interim tasks? 1 2 3 4 5 (very poorly) (very well) For example:

5. How well did the interim pastor deal with situations of conflict? 1 2 3 4 5 (very poorly) (very well) Cite an example:* 5b. What new tools will your church employ when incidents of conflict occur after the interim period draws to a close? 6. How well did the interim pastor relate to other members of your church staff? 1 2 3 4 5 (very poorly) (very well) Cite an example:* 6b. Rate the level of support and cooperation the staff extended to the interim pastor? 1 2 3 4 5 (very poorly) (very well)

7. Rate the interim pastor's performance in the following: Preaching and conduct of worship 1 2 3 4 5 Pastoral oversight 1 2 3 4 5 Administration (work with boards and committees) 1 2 3 4 5 Stewardship (OCWM) 1 2 3 4 5 8a. What would you have liked more from the Interim pastor? 8b. What would you have liked less from the Interim pastor? 9a. What would you the Interim pastor liked more from the Interim church? 9b. What would you the Interim pastor like less from the Interim Church? 10. Sum up, in your own words, what you feel was the impact of the interim process/period in the life of your church: Name of persons giving evaluation Date: Title/Positions- *Additional sheets may be attached if you wish. Exhibit B

Evaluations Mutual Contract/Covenants Conversation skills, successes, etc for interim What happened/didn t happen during the interim time What concerns continues for the Local Church Multiple Tasks: RCM, Local Church & Interim Candidate

Recommended Participants: In this model two members of the Committee on Ministry and the Conference staff person conduct the interview. They first meet alone with the pastor, then together with the pastor and governing board, and finally with the governing board alone. Pastor (30 minutes): 1.Who blessed your ministry here? Tell us a story of when you felt blessed. 2.Tell us one or two of your best experiences of ministry here. 3.If you had three wishes for this congregation, what would they be? 4.What do you value about this congregation?

Council and Pastor Together (30 minutes): 1.Tell us a story about the best worship experience you had together. 2.Tell us a story about a time at Church that you were aware of God s presence. 3.What do you value about the time you were in ministry together here? 4.If you had three wishes about your remaining time together, what would they be? Council (30 minutes): 1.How were you blessed by the pastor s ministry here? Tell a story of when you felt blessed by Pastor. 2.Tell us one or two of your best experiences of Pastor s ministry. 3.What do you value about Pastor? 4.If you had three wishes for Pastor, what would they be?

Recommended Participants In this model there are three participants: the president of the governing board, a person selected by the governing board, and a person chosen by the departing pastor. Questions for the Pastor Describe your first meeting with this congregation and share some of your first impressions. What was the biggest surprise or difference between your first impression and the church you have come to know? In what ways has the congregation grown and changed as a faith community? In what ways has the congregation grown and changed in mission and ministry? What do you see as this congregation s greatest strength? The congregation s most significant growing edge? Was there something you hoped to accomplish while you were serving this congregation that you didn t? Why? What prayers or blessings would you ask God to grant for the congregation s future ministry?

Questions for the church members Describe the setting when you first met the pastor and share some of your first impressions. What was the biggest surprise or difference between your first impression and the pastor you have come to know? In what ways has the pastor grown and changed spiritually while serving this congregation? What do you see as this pastor s greatest strength? The pastor s most significant growing edge? Was there something you hoped would be accomplished while this pastor served this congregation that didn t happen? Why? In what ways has the pastor grown and changed as a pastoral leader while serving this congregation? What prayers or blessings would you ask God to grant for your pastor s future ministry?

Recommended Participants: This model is designed for reflection from a slightly larger group of church members. The pastor and a small group of lay leaders (selected from the governing board, and/or Deacons, and/or Pastoral Relations Committee) complete the first six questions ahead of time. The lay leaders also complete question seven, and the pastor question eight. A meeting of those persons is then convened to review the seven questions; it is suggested that the meeting be moderated by someone from outside the local church community.

What was the church like when the pastor arrived strengths and challenges? What are some of your most joyful memories of this time? What will you remember about this church ten years from now? During this ministry, what do you think were the most significant accomplishments of the congregation? Of what can the congregation be especially proud? Does this church have Safe Church Policies and Procedures? If No, was any effort made to work on Safe Church issues during the pastor s tenure? What are some of the things that you feel are being left undone? What are the main challenges facing this church? What might be the obstacles that are preventing the members from achieving their full potential as a congregation? Are there particular affirmations to offer the pastor? Are there particular affirmations to offer the church? Other comments?

Church Name: Church Location: Vacant Position: Date of Vacancy:

During the interim period the interim minister leads the congregation through the five recognized interim tasks: (Although all are important, which do would you name as most important for your Interim Time?) 1. coming to terms with the congregation s history, 2. discovering a new identity, 3. allowing needed leadership change, 4. renewing denominational linkages, and 5. committing to new directions in ministry, (Loren B. Mead A Change of Pastors: and How It Affects Change in the Congregation Other tasks in addition to those named above

Primary Goals/Needs for Interim Time: (Push yourselves to be precise this is crucial!) 1. 2. 3. The Compensation Package offered to the interim should be the same as that of the most recent settled pastor/what you anticipate offering your new Settled Pastor. Cash Salary offered $ Conference Compensation Guidelines: $

Housing Housing allowance only $ Parsonage only would offer either Pension Contribution (14% of Base Salary) Social Security Allowance Health Insurance Individual Family Dental Insurance Individual Family Vacation (1 week per quarter for full time Interim) Meetings Business Mileage Reimbursed (IRS Rate) One time Criminal Background Check fee of $140 payable to the Interim. Renewable Covenant/Contract will be for: 12 months 18 months 24 months Time per week hrs. or units. A unit increment would be 3 ½ hours of work time (such as morning, afternoon or evening).

Clarity of Expectations Identification of Priorities and Needs Basis for the Conversation for Evaluation What Happened? Who Helped it Happen? Who Prohibited/Blocked it from Happening? What did We Learn to Share with the About to be Called Minister?