Tag: Rev. Heidi Johnston

Posted in Boundaries, Church Decline, Contracting and Negotiating Before Beginning, Entering and Engaging the Congregation, Finishing and Exiting, Leadership Development, Self-Care, Team Building, Volunteers Tagged with

15 min 06 s

Rev. Heidi Johnston

As an Interim Minister, have you ever wondered about the rest of the story? You know – feedback about the impact of your ministry on the congregation after you left? In this episode, settled ELCA pastor, Rev. Heidi Johnston, expresses her gratitude to the Intentional Interim Minister who preceded her, including specifics of how the IM set her up for success.

Particular things IM did to set me up for success –

The IM expressed clear boundaries about the number of hours/week she would work & equipped laity to negotiate the use of pastoral time and energy – focusing and prioritizing;

IM didn’t work beyond her stated limit of working hours when temped to do so – and helped the congregation understand why and adapt;

Two, she led leadership through honest sometimes hard conversations about their current reality – and its implications for calling next pastor;

IM presented new limitations as opportunities, not losses, which led to a new joy in opportunities for more hands-on ministry for lay people.

Three – The transition conversations nudged people beyond all the ways the past was more abundant – celebrate the wonderful things of the past, and also name past hurts and conflicts – helped me not to get blindsided by issues the congregation may be sweeping under the rug.

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