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We at LVUC are presently entering into what is called an Interim Ministry process. You may wonder what this is. From the United Church of Canada Interim Minister website the following information on Interim Ministry was taken. 

Intentional interim ministry (often referred to simply as interim ministry) is an opportunity for a community of faith to take an intentional time out to seek spiritual and organizational renewal, to rediscover its identity, and to revitalize its mission. As part of the interim ministry process a transition team is assembled.

The LVUC transition team is a committee of the Board and includes three people from our community of faith, and two representatives from the regional council, and the intentional interim minister, once chosen. With the guidance of the interim minister, the transition team will lead your community of faith through a process of self-study, discernment, and visioning to rekindle its call to mission. The work will be interesting, challenging, and rewarding.

Our LVUC Transition Team is presently made up of:

  • Roger Eastwood

  • Neil Jorgenson

  • Mary Yan

  • Regional Representative - Rev Graham Brownmiller from Jubilee United will act in the role of pastoral charge supervisor until a new lead minister can be hired. Graham is the lead minister with Jubilee United, has worked in congregations in transition and brings experience working with multiple staff team configurations as well as governing body models and strategic plans. Rev Graham Browmiller will chair the Tranisition Team and will be attending board meetings.

  • Regional Representative - Rev Carla Wilks from Mount Seymour United - Carla has chaired a transition team for a previous congregation and has served as a regional rep on teams as well. She also served on the regional Interim Ministry committee. She brings skills and experience with Listening Circles and Healing  processes.

  • Interim Minister (Once Appointed)

Transition Team’s Responsibilities

  • Liaise and collaborate with the governing body of the community of faith.
  • The chair of the transition team will be a member of the board for the duration of the interim ministry.
  • Select the intentional interim minister and prepare for their arrival.
  • Provide leadership and work collaboratively with the intentional interim minister.
  • Review, clarify, and develop the initial goals set for the interim ministry by the governing body and/or the regional council.
  • Communicate and consult regularly with the community of faith and its subgroups.
  • Promote conversation, learning, understanding, and transition in the community of faith.
  • Involve the community of faith in the tasks of rediscovering its heritage, reinvigorating its leadership, claiming its identity and mission, clarifying its future, and renewing its connections to the wider church and community.
  • Develop and implement plans that enable the community of faith to work on its goals.
  • Regularly evaluate progress on the goals and be alert to emerging needs.
  • Participate in the evaluation of the intentional interim minister and the interim ministry.
  • Model responsible participation, healthy relationships, and faithful witness.

Key Relationships for the Transition Team

• With the governing body: share information and make recommendations
• With the intentional interim minister: analyze what’s needed and decide on actions
• With the community of faith: offer leadership that both challenges and reassures, in order that it makes the necessary changes to move on in its ministry
• After the interim: where possible, continue to give leadership in other roles so the new
ways are integrated into the community of faith’s ongoing life
• With the regional council: through its representative(s) on the transition team, receive support, encouragement, and perspective.

The transition team itself functions as a mini-laboratory for the transitions the community of faith will undergo. It explores the culture and dynamics of the community of faith, with all of its strengths and struggles. As the team analyzes what holds the community of faith back from its potential, those very issues may become apparent in its own discussions. By intentionally building a cooperative climate, the team learns to change old patterns and try new things. Then it can help the governing body, committees, and community of faith to do the same. The success of the team will lie in its ability to recognize issues that are impeding the community of faith’s life, deal with them in its own functioning, and then lead the community of faith to recognize and address those patterns of behaviour and take appropriate actions to
change them.

More information on Interim Ministry may be found on the United Church of Canada web site.

Updates and Details

As we move through the interim ministry process here at LVUC I will be posting updates on our progress. I will also be providing more details on specific parts of the process. Should you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me or any board member. Your input is critical to this process being successful.

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