INTERIM PASTORATES

Hill Crest Baptist Church, Raeford, N.C.

Raft Swamp Baptist Church, Lumberton, N.C

Great Marsh Baptist Church, St Pauls, N.C.

South Berkeley Baptist Church, Inwood, W.V.

Berkeley Baptist Church, Berkeley Springs, W.V.

First Baptist Church, Martinsburg, W.V.

Greencastle Baptist Church, Greencastle, Pa

Virginia Ave. Baptist Church, Hagerstown, MD

Emmanuel Baptist Church, Great Cacapon, W.V.

Pilgrim Baptist Church Ellenboro, N.C.

Maranatha Baptist Church Forest City, N.C.

Cane Creek Baptist Church Union Mills, N.C.

High Shoal Baptist Church Henrietta, N.C.

WEST MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH

320 PIEDMONT ROAD

RUTHERFORDTON, NC 28319

The church list at the left are those I have served as Interim.  The ministry of Interim Pastor is a very needful ministry when a church has lost their pastor and one that I feel God has called me to do since retiring from the active pastorate in 1990.

Why Call an Interim Pastor?

One of the most crucial times a church will ever face is the time spent between the time a pastor leaves and a new leader is sought out and called to the church. Sometimes when a local church finds itself without a pastor, they may choose to just used various "fill in" speakers rather than call an interim to fill the pulpit as they search for a new leader. There are many reasons why it is wise to call an interim to handle this responsibility of leadership during this time.

(1) It gives the pastor search committee the needed freedom to go out in search of a new man to shepherd the flock.  Often, a search committee is made up of several of the main leaders of the congregation who need to be there every Sunday if a pastor is not present.  With a good interim in place, they feel more at ease about being away.

(2) It gives the church the experience of a seasoned leader.  Sometimes a church may be left with a lot of unrest and difficulty after a long term pastor who was loved and appreciated by the people, or if the former pastor has left in a time of controversy.

(3) It gives the church someone who can minister to them in times of sickness, distress, bereavement. They have a man in place who has "been there and done that," and will be there for them until a new pastor is called.

(4) It gives the congregation good solid Bible preaching and teaching from one who has many years of study and experience in the past.