Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center

Interim Pastor's Education
"The Art of Transitional Ministry"

July 13 - 18, 2008

For persons interested in exploring this ministry
and those serving as interims

Click here to register online.

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 (USA). Some interim pastors enter this field straight out of seminary, others at mid-career. 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.

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.

Week I is designed to:

introduce interim ministry to clergy and candidates for ministry considering this specialized field;
provide the theological and Biblical background, and introduction to basic skills for ministers who have just begun their interim ministry and who have not completed a Week I event (or equivalent).

Week II is designed to:

broaden the skills of the 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 interim ministry to enhance the participant’s understanding of transitional leadership, and provide a framework for further growth.

Requirements for enrollment in week II: completion of week I and current service as an interim, service as an interim within the last two years (since Jan. 1, 2006), or current middle Governing body responsibilities with interim pastors and congregations. There are several homework assignments to prepare for Week II, so early registration is advised.

Spouse Track is designed for spouses of clergy either considering or already in interim positions. Spouses will be introduced to many of the topics covered in Week 1 as well as addressing and discussing issues of particular concern to them. Spouses will meet for up to six hours a day, with the remaining time free for recreation and relaxation.

Governing Body Representatives and Committee on Ministry members are urged to attend. It is an opportunity to become familiar with the concerns of interim ministers. The requirement for interim experience is waived for persons in this group who have completed Week I and wish to take Week II.

Sponsored by Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center, in cooperation with the Interim Ministry Consortium and endorsed by Synod of the Pacific and Synod of Southern California and Hawaii.

Key Leaders

Renee Rico - entered ministry doing the “interim thing” and hasn’t stopped since. A graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary, she’s served in both solo and associate positions since 1998, and is currently between interims. She started her first career in the Federal Government in Washington, DC, and after realizing that she could handle that dysfunctional system, she entered the ministry. Renee resides in San Rafael, CA and is serving as a regional representative on the steering committee for Presbyterians for Restoring Creation. Outside of the church, Renee enjoys hanging out with her two cats, Brandy and Isadora, and is teaching a bunch of folks to knit now that it is fashionable to do so again. Knit one, purl two, anyone?
Carol Shellenberger - entered interim ministry in 1996 after serving in non-parish ministry for eight years and has now served as interim pastor for eight congregations. She is currently between interims. She is a graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary and is Moderator of APIMS (Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists). She joined the interim faculty in 2002. She enjoys going to movies and is always looking for ways to incorporate film in her teaching. Carol and her spouse John reside in San Rafael, California where they enjoy hiking, theater and concerts. They have two adult children, Christine and Mark, who live in the Northwest.
Kevin Buchanan - has been ordained since 1980 and began ministry as a consultant for youth ministry for the Presbytery of South Florida and served two congregations as youth minister. From there, he served as solo and associate pastors in Missouri, Oregon, and California. When he married Astrid in 2002, he began pre-interim (or might be an interim) and interim work in the Bay Area and now in Central Valley. Kevin currently serves as the interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Turlock. Because Kevin remains tethered to his home in Santa Rosa, his life is now commuting between Turlock and Santa Rosa truly lending credence to the idea of the car culture of California.
Sally Hinchman - is the General Presbyter for the Presbyteries of Nevada, Sacramento and Stockton, known also as the Sierra Mission Partnership, since April 1998. Prior to coming west, she served for 10 years as the Associate Presbyter for Congregational Nature in the Presbytery of New Covenant in southeast Texas. She is a certified Christian Educator and served churches in Knoxville TN, Atlanta GA, and Nashville TN. She enjoys cooking, gardening and traveling. Most of all, her pride and joys are spending time with her two great nieces, Malia and Annalise.
Charles Svendsen - has served as an interim pastor for more than 26 years, bringing his gifts to congregations across the United States as well as in four other countries. He received his bachelor's degree from Wheaton College in Illinois, his Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania, a Master of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Virginia. He is currently serving as Interim Pastor of Brentwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, CA.
Dick Wiggers - entered the ordained ministry after a 13-year career in corporate restaurant management. After receiving his D Min degree from Columbia Theological Seminary, he served as an Associate Pastor in Mobile, AL, and as the Organizing Pastor of a new church development in Pensacola, FL. Dick began interim ministry in 2000 as the Head of Staff in Laguna Niguel, CA, then served interim positions in Tualatin and Tigard, OR. In October 2006, he was appointed as the Stated Supply Pastor of Saint John’s Presbyterian Church in Reno, NV. Dick and his wife, Jeni, have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. One of the joys of the first six years of interim ministry was being in close proximity to their children and grandchildren.
Jan and Harris Schultz - Harris is honorably retired following 39 years in ministry, the last 15 of which were in interim ministry. A graduate of Vanderbilt University Divinity School and McCormick Theological Seminary, his professional interests include leading workshops, consulting, and teaching. He has taught interim ministry education in four Presbyterian sites. Jan, also retired, is member services coordinator for the Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists and coordinator for the Interim Ministry Consortium. She has served as interim educator and/or youth director in five congregations. Together Harris and Jan have taught spouse track at both Zephyr Point and Montreat. They are parents of six sons, five of whom are married; they have ten grandchildren. They currently reside in Nashville, TN

Fees and Registration Information

Program Fee

(total due with registration)

On or before June 10: $350 – clergy only; $425 – clergy and non-clergy spouse
After June 10: $375 – clergy only; $450 – clergy and non-clergy spouse

Cost of Housing & Meals

Housing and meal rates are per person and include all charges for room and meals for the entire conference (Sunday supper-Friday boxed lunch. NO WEDNESDAY SUPPER). Additional charges will apply for any extended stay. This balance is due by June 20.

Housing and meals

Single, Private Bath $453.00
Double, Private Bath $286.00 per person
Commuter (meals only – no Wednesday dinner) $125.00

Registration Information

Seminars begin Sunday, July 13, with check in, 3:00-4:30 PM, Leader Lobby in Tallac Center (program begins at 4:30 PM). Seminars end Friday, July 18, with closing worship at 10:45 AM.

Limited enrollment. Please register early. Registrations for Week I must be postmarked by June 20 to be accepted. Registrations for Week II must be postmarked on or before June 10 to be accepted.

The dates listed above 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: 775-588-1835.

If you have questions or would like conference information mailed to you via U.S. mail, please contact Lynne Morton, email lynne@zephyrpoint.org.

Cancellation Policy

Registrations and housing cancellations must be received by June 20 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 June 20 will receive a refund of all funds paid,

minus the $100 deposit. Cancellations received between June 20 and July 3 will receive a 50% refund of conference fees and all payments made toward room and meals, minus a $50 service charge. No refunds will be issued after July 3.

Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center

P.O. Box 289

Zephyr Cove, NV 89448

Phone: 775-588-6759

Fax: 775-588-1095

Email: Zephyr@zephyrpoint.org