“The way a congregation chooses to use its interim time will shape congregational growth, identity, and health for years to come. We also know that what is done in the interim time really determines whether the new minister and congregation will form a solid ministry team.”
Neil Chafin
Welcome to Transitional Ministries Association of
Australia
For a church - Time between permanent Ministers can be an
opportunity for re-focusing of ministry. TMAA trains and supervises
Intentional Interim Ministers. Intentional Interim Ministers are
placed through normal denominational channels.
This site provides:
- General information
- Resources for registered Intentional Interim Ministers
Intentional Interim Ministry is a process for a church to improve
the church's health in the interim between permanent pastors. The
"intention" is the intent of the church to employ the process.
The process involves a fresh focus by the congregation. They
examine five developmental tasks:
- Coming to terms with history
- Dealing with leadership and decision-making concerns
- Re-thinking linkage with other churches and the
denomination
- Developing a new identity
- Committing to new leadership
The methods of working with the tasks are unique to each church.
The result of the process can assist a search committee in finding
a new pastor.
The Australian association was formed to facilitate on-going
training and development of Intentional Interim Ministries in
Australia. In the first 3 years of Intentional Interim Ministry in
Australia, training was carried out by the Center for
Congregational Health. In 2001, 4 Australian pastors were equipped
as trainers.
The association works with denominational leaders of Intentional
Interim Ministers and ministers - to date Baptists, Churches of
Christ, Uniting, Anglican, Presbyterian, independent Pentecostal.