Archive for Interim Ministry

Ancient Wisdom, Today’s Grace: Singing the Jesus Song

by Phil Ware     Critical Moments Fragile. Vulnerable. And, threatened! The precious young church in Philippi was fragile, vulnerable and threatened. Two women, Euodia and Syntyche, had been essential in evangelizing and leading many of their new believers to Jesus. Now, however, they were at odds. The stain and strain of their disagreement was permeating […]

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The Relational Search Process: Part 1 – The Good and the Bad of the Relational Search Process

by Tim Woodroof There are several paths a church can take when searching for it’s next lead minister: Grab the closest available minister and stuff him into the position whether or not he’s a good fit. (“God will make this work,” churches tell themselves, when what they are really saying is, “It will be a […]

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The Relational Search Process: Part 2 – Search Committees and Candidates

by Tim Woodroof Most ministry candidates (and every candidate who has been through a search process before) will tell you they prefer a relational search process. “Don’t judge me by a resume and a sermon,” candidates would assert. “Get to know me. Let me get to know you. Let’s talk … build a friendship.” Until […]

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The Relational Search Process: Part 3 – A Relational Search Process and the Next Generation of Leaders

by Tim Woodroof How does a church raise up the next generation of leaders, train them to think in kingdom ways, and form them into Christ-like servants to whom the future can be entrusted? Judging by our plans (or lack thereof), most churches seem to think the development of future leaders is largely a serendipitous […]

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The Relational Search Process: Part 4 – The Cheerleading Squad

by Tim Woodroof One of the most interesting serendipities of a relational search process is the transformation of the search committee into a cheerleading squad. The committee has spent hours with the candidate and gotten to know him and his family intimately. They have spent hours with other candidates and know how the final candidate […]

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