All ministries other than those reserved to ordained leadership, (such as deciding liturgy, administering the sacraments, etc.). are understood as mutual ministries of the Laity of the parish and the Interim Priest. The Vestry shall lead the Laity to support and cooperate with the Interim Priest in pursuit of parish goals and in the performance of the focus point during the Interim Period.

The Vestry is legal agent for the parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and in its relationship with the Interim Priest. The Vestry will see that the Interim Priest is properly supported, personally and organizationally, as well as in the Vestry’s financial obligations to the Interim Priest.+

Responsibilities that move from the Rector to the Wardens in the Interim Period.

Canonically, (meaning by Church Law), a Rector has certain responsibilities; when a Rector leaves, some of those responsibilities then move to the Wardens of the Parish. A quick rule of thumb is that the Wardens have decision-making authority over those areas not reserved for ordained persons, and which have consequences which may continue after the Interim Period. When a new Rector is in place, these then become the province of the new Rector. Some examples include:

 1. Permission for use of the building 

 2. Leading and setting the agenda for the Vestry

 3. Hiring and firing of employees

The primary focus of the Interim Period.

The Interim Period is seen as prime time for renewal, re-energizing the parish in its life and mission. Beyond maintaining effective ministry during this period, the Vestry and the Interim Priest shall work together to prepare for healthy transition to the next Rectorship.

Specific tasks to be addressed include:

1) Heritage: Coming to terms with the history of the congregation and its relationships with previous clergy.

2) Mission: Discovering the congregation’s special identity and core values, what it dreams of being, and doing apart from previous clergy leadership; short-term tactical plans can be worked out here.

3) Leadership: Dealing with shifts in leadership roles that naturally evolve in times of transition, allowing new leaders to come to the fore constructively. New leaders might emerge, while seasoned ones may re-commit or decide to refocus their gifts.

4) Connections: Renewing and reworking relationships with the Diocese and the community, so that each may be a more effective resource and support to the other. Time to re-asses old links and to consider new ones.

5) Future: Building commitment to the leadership of the new rector in order to be prepared to move into the future with openness to new possibilities – developing congregational and Pastoral Profiles.+

Next week: The Role of the Search Committee in the Interim Period.

+From “Covenant of Ministry for Interim Priest – Letter of Agreement”

Diocese of Massachusetts, signed by Wardens and Priest, approved by Vestry