By The Rev. Dr. Carl Grosse

This installment marks my 100th “True Confessions of an Interim”. Pop the bubbly and shout a huzzah! We could start counting backward, but 99 “True Confessions of an Interim” doesn’t have the same ring as “Bottles of Beer on the Wall”. It’s been a great run and I thank you for your kind attention…at least, those of you who took the time to read these missives.

The main purpose of “True Confessions of an Interim” has been to keep an open pipeline of information about the interim work I was doing. At the September 8 Session meeting, for example, we adopted four new policies required by the PCUSA (see the Book of Order, G-3.0106). With the draft of a Session Operations Manual next month, you’ll have two important compliance pieces in place. Although some stock wording was available for these documents, much had to be customized or created to fit FCPC. Work like that goes in the orange Administrative slice in the chart below:

Worship Services includes the services themselves, plus time spent preparing and coordinating with Bob, Ashton and the Worship Committee.  It wouldn’t surprise me if Pastor Susan’s work time over the course of a year looked something like this. I didn’t show any professional development or larger church involvement,  two items which are less important for an interim than a long-term pastor. 

Sharing information about what’s going on and why also helps you pray about your own involvement in your church family. A healthy church has everyone taking ownership for the ministry, not just paying a few professionals to do it. You are a healthy church family with room to grow. Communication is a big part of that health and growth. Let’s all strive to share what’s important and pay attention when it’s shared.