2025 Intentional Interim Pastor Training: February 10 – 13

What You'll Get

• The WHY and the HOW of VitalChurch’s intentional interim pastor ministry, based on our experience serving churches for more than 25 years
• The opportunity to self-assess your interim ministry potential and learn the qualities of a successful intentional interim pastor
• A hard copy of our Interim Pastor Training Manual that provides detailed information on all topics covered in the training**
• Access to recordings of all sessions for 90 days following the training
• A “check list” for an interim pastor’s first 90 days in a church
• Four days of learning, growing, and reflecting through a combination of formal information sessions, individual and small-group exercises, and whole group discussion to deepen and broaden your understanding of interim ministry
• Networking opportunities with like-minded pastors and professionals, as well as with VitalChurch’s speakers who have decades of experience in interim ministry
• Certificate of completion

**Register by January 28th for guaranteed delivery of our Interim Pastor Training Manual

What You'll Learn

• The skills and qualities that make a successful intentional interim pastor
• How to lay the foundation for a successful interim pastorate in the first 90 days
• How to address the "unholy trinity" (idolatry, conflict, power) in a church
• Strategies for training leaders and facilitating God’s change in churches
• Some best practices to achieve what we perceive to be God’s plan for each church

What You Can Expect

Here's what past attendees had to say about VitalChurch’s interim pastor training seminar:

"There is passion behind the principles. Y'all have lived this and love it and are committed to it and it shows" – Keith Carlson

"What I loved about the training was 1.) The guest speakers were excellent. 2.) The course was well run, with different personalities contributing. 3.) The handbook was very thorough 4.) Am I allowed 4 points? I'm going to take it - I loved that Christ was exalted throughout, that his church was honored, and that there was tangible fellowship even on Zoom. Thank you so much." – Gareth Loh

"The training was such a buffet of information that can be applied in a variety of ways. This isn't just for Interim pastors!" – Michelle Munger

“The training was invaluable as it gave us a common framework, language and tools for navigating an interim transition. We have referenced some aspect of this training on a regular basis ever since. Thanks VitalChurch!” – Tom Dabasinskas

Featured VitalChurch Presenters

Dave Miles

Director Intentional Interim Pastor Division / Founding Director

Dave loves the challenge of working with churches in transition, and he has been privileged to see VitalChurch’s revitalization process transform many churches into thriving bodies who are making disciples and changing lives. He has a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary and a D.Min. from Fuller Theological Seminary. More about Dave...

Tom Wilkens

Associate Director, Intentional Interim Pastor Division

Tom has a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver and a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary. He has served in a variety of roles including pastor, medical/counseling clinic director, and professor. Tom's passion is to see marriages, teams, churches, and organizations develop and grow well—with a special interest in leadership. More about Tom...

Gregg Caruso

DIRECTOR, DIAGNOSTIC DIVISION

Gregg earned his M.A. in Leadership and Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary and served as a permanent pastor for 16 years and then four years as the Director of Training for a Europe-based missions agency. Since 1998, Gregg has served as an intentional interim pastor in such varied places as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Hawaii, Iowa, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Oregon, and several cities in California including L.A. and the San Francisco Bay area. Gregg has also participated in or led more than 100 diagnostics across the U.S. and in Europe. Gregg is a Trustee on the VitalChurch U.K. Team and enjoys a gospel-centered hermeneutic, trying to keep up with technology, pickleball, cycling, paddle boarding, and really good coffee. Gregg has been married to Linda since 1978 and they have four adult children and several grandsons.

Laurel Schumacher

Chief Operating Officer

Laurel's experience in development and alumni relations prepared her to manage well all the tiny details that make events a success, including VitalChurch's Intentional Interim Pastor Training. She’s enjoyed learning how to adapt to online events in this new season and loves how they provide access and opportunity to more people than in-person events! Laurel holds a Master’s degree in Education and one in Literature More about Laurel.

VitalChurch Presenters

Skylar Krajewski

Diagnostic Coordinator and Host

Skylar Krajewski is excited to be serving as the Diagnostic Coordinator and Host for this year's IIP Training. Skylar's journey with VitalChurch began during her junior year of high school when the organization made a profound impact on her church during a challenging transition. Ever since, she has felt a call on her life to join what God is doing through VitalChurch. Skylar has a B.S. in Non-profit Leadership and Intercultural Studies from University of Northwestern St. Paul. Currently residing in Rochester, MN. Skylar and her husband, Andrew, find joy in the great outdoors. They share a love for snowboarding, camping, and cherish spending quality time with their friends and family.

Wayne Harris

VitalChurch Ministry Intentional Interim Pastor

Wayne Harris has served the Church in local churches ranging in size from 50 to 4,500. He has also served in denominational roles, as well as with an international mission organization, and most recently as a church consultant and intentional interim pastor. Through these wide-ranging experiences, God has developed in him a deep passion for His Church and leaders. By leading churches down pathways of spiritual discovery, Wayne equips, empowers, and encourages leaders to hear from God as they clarify their focus and align themselves and ministries with His heart and passion resulting in greater Kingdom impact. Wayne is married to his college sweetheart, Carey. Together they enjoy hanging out with their two adult children and spouses, as well as their five grandchildren. Wayne enjoys the out of doors, whether it is a round of golf, hanging out on the beach, or the occasional road trip with Carey—especially when it involves camping.

Dan Werthman

VitalChurch Ministry Intentional Interim Pastor

Dan Werthman is an ordained minister with the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA), a licensed attorney, and a Certified Christian Conciliator with the Institute for Christian Conciliation. After serving for 15 years as a senior pastor in three EFCA churches, Dan felt a calling to use his experience and abilities to help churches navigate conflict and change through intentional interim pastoral ministry. Dan earned his M.Div. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and his J.D. at Hamline University School of Law. Dan has also served as a military attorney (Judge Advocate) in the United States Air Force. Dan and his wife, Cindy, have three grown sons. Dan enjoys grilling and barbecuing, and is slowly section-hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Rick Foster

VitalChurch Ministry Intentional Interim Pastor

Rick Foster served as a “permanent” pastor for 25 years before making the transition to an interim pastor. Since 2012, he has served as an intentional interim pastor in widely divergent churches, literally from coast to coast. Rick has a B.A. from Wheaton College and a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary. Rick and his wife, Lucy, have three grown children and six grandchildren. Rick enjoys both road and mountain biking, hiking, and good coffee.

About VitalChurch Ministry

VitalChurch Ministry is one of the nation’s leading organizations in the fields of interim pastoring and church diagnostics. They have worked with hundreds of Christian churches throughout the United States, and in other parts of the world, and have produced some of the most well-regarded interim pastor training materials, used by denominations around the country. VitalChurch team members are regularly called upon to be featured speakers at denominational conferences on the topic of interim pastoring.

Questions? Contact us here.