From the Interim Pastor’s Desk:

It’s truly a pleasure and a privilege to be with the First Congregational Church in Hanson, and to walk The Congregational Way with you during this interim period. The point of the “First Friday Ferverino” is to share my thoughts with you, and highlight some of the important aspects of our journey together. A “ferverino” in Italian is a short, fervent speech or exhortation. I’ve been partial to the term ever since I learned it from a colleague 40 years ago in my first parish intern assignment. I hope you find these monthly columns helpful, and I’d appreciate both your feedback and any questions you may have.

So, what exactly is an Interim Pastor? As the title suggests, I am Pastor, but specifically and only for this interim (or in-between) period, defined by when the Office of Pastor became vacant in September, until your current Search Committee identifies, and you formally call, a candidate to be your new Settled Pastor. So, yes, I am Pastor, but temporarily, and for a specific purpose: to help this church prepare to receive this new Settled Pastor. As such, my focus will be different than that of a Settled Pastor. How? Well, I find it helpful to consider Jon Taffer and his role in the reality TV show, Bar Rescue, a favorite of mine.

I hasten to add 2 things. This church does NOT need to be rescued! Reality TV shows play up the drama for ratings and entertainment value. What we’re doing is no TV show. Also, I am far from the “Jon Taffer” of Pastors! I’m not an expert; I don’t have all the answers, and I have made and do make more than my share of mistakes. I’m just a guy who loves God and His Word, and has a fresh set of eyes, and some experience. With those 2 caveats, the show can give us some insight into this interim period.

Just as Taffer would come in and raise issues the pub or bar had overlooked, the Interim Pastor is specifically charged with working on specific issues. In my previous interim assignment we had specific goals relating to leaving a denomination and joining the MACCC & NACCC. Here, we have a more general, though no less important, focus of helping the church process the previous Pastor’s departure, and prepare to receive a new Pastor. A lot of my prayer time these days centers on discerning why God has called ME, specifically, to be HERE, at THIS time. What is His plan for us being together? What does God want us to work on? As that message unfolds for me, I will do my best to follow it.

In doing that, I will likely identify issues in need of addressing and/or updating. Think of Taffer going behind the bar, or into the walk-in fridge, pointing out incredibly obvious unsanitary and dangerous conditions, while the owners stand there slack-jawed. While those conditions were literally right under their noses, they didn’t see (or smell) them, because they’d become dulled to it, having been immersed in it for so long. This is where a fresh set of eyes, a different perspective, can be helpful.

At times Taffer is harsh, even yelling, and owners struggle with change and looking at things differently. Often an Interim Pastor can be perceived as harsh, as he suggests looking at, or even doing, things differently than folks have viewed or done them before. Change is hard! But in the end, the owners would realize Taffer was there to help, and the perceived harshness was actually speaking truth in love. And that will be my goal – to speak (not yell) the Truth of God’s Word in love. In that way my and Taffer’s roles differ; his credibility comes from himself and his expertise, while mine is dependent totally on the degree to which I am obedient to God’s Word, and present that, and only that, to you, as opposed to presenting my personal agenda.

To wade into difficult areas, as Taffer does, and an Interim Pastor must, requires objectivity. And for that reason, it makes sense that the Interim Pastor is NOT to be a candidate for Settled Pastor. It’s easy to imagine that if I were to “campaign” for the Settled position, I’d be hesitant to wade into sensitive areas, and speak truth in love, for fear of offending or turning off people, and not getting their votes for the permanent position. Such “walking on egg shells” would not serve this church well. Areas that need to be addressed would be avoided, and the church would suffer for it. Indeed, it would be a serious breach of my ministerial ethics to secretly “campaign” for the permanent position. I am here to do the Interim Pastor’s job, and you have my word that is what I will do.

So, I beg your forgiveness in advance, in case any observations or suggestions I offer seem harsh, or difficult to hear. And you should feel comfortable speaking your mind, also! I trust you’ll find me to be open and honest, and always willing to discuss. I’m sure as we work and walk together, we will learn from each other. And when this interim period is over, we will be a better church for what we have done together. And with The Spirit and Grace to guide us, our journey will be far from a “rescue.” Instead, it will be a blessing. I look forward to it, and I am so happy to be here as your Interim Pastor.

Pastor TC