Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center

Interim Pastor's Education

July 19 - 24, 2009

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.

Seminars begin Sunday, July 19, with check-in, 3—4:30 pm
in Leader Lobby at Tallac Center (program begins at 4:30).
Seminars end Friday, July 24, with closing worship at 10:45 am.

Who should attend--

Requirements for enrollment in Week II: completion of Week I and current service as an interim; or service as an interim within the last two years, (since January 1, 2006), or current middle Governing Body responsibilities with interim pastors & 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 I 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.

Concurrent Education Phases:

Endorsed by two Synods

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 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 & 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.

Faculty for Weeks I & II:

    Carol Shellenberger has served as interim pastor in eight congregations, Past Moderator of the Association of Presbyterian
    Interim Ministry Specialists and will soon join the Board of the Interim Ministry Network;

    Dick Wiggers entered the ordained ministry after a 13-year career in corporate restaurant management. He received his D. Min
    degree from Columbia Theological Seminary and served churches in Alabama and Florida. He began interim ministry in 2000 and
    is currently Stated Supply Pastor, St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Reno.

    Kevin Buchanan has served churches in Missouri, Oregon and California. Since 2002 he has done interim ministry in the Bay Area
    and Central Valley of California. He is currently finishing up his service as the interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Turlock,
    CA.

    Charles Svendsen has served as an interim pastor for more than 27 years across the United States as well as in four other countries.
    He received a Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary, a Master of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminar
    and a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary. He is currently serving as Interim Pastor at Wilshire Presbyterian Church, a
    small multi-cultural congregation in Koreatown, Los Angeles.

    Sally Hinchman has served as a Christian educator, Associate Presbyter in the Presbytery of New Covenant and was until recently
    the General Presbyter for the Presbyteries of Nevada, Sacramento and Stockton.

    Renee Rico entered ministry doing the “interim thing” and hasn’t stopped since. A graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary,
    she is currently serving her fi fth interim position at Sausalito Presbyterian Church in Sausalito, CA.

Limited enrollment. Please register early.
Registration/Fees

Registrations for Week II must be received by May 15 to be accepted. Registrations for Week I must be postmarked by June 10 to be accepted. These dates 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.

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.

Click here to register online

                                Zephyr Point
                  Presbyterian Conference Center

P.O. Box 289

Zephyr Cove, NV 89448

Phone: 775-588-1835

Fax: 775-588-1095

Email: program@zephyrpoint.org.