2023 Intentional Interim Pastor Training: February 13 – 16

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 30th 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:

"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 character, kindness, and humility of the people who lead this ministry bleed through in the training. The info is incredibly relevant. I wish so much I had learned this stuff forty years ago. The delivery system is well thought through, with frequent breaks, humor and banter, making it easy to stay engaged." – Robert Flores

"Healthy leadership is vital to the life of the local church. This training will confirm your calling as Interim Pastors and strengthen your leadership in significant ways. Interim pastors, don't miss this opportunity to get trained! This teaching will inspire your heart and mind, both soul and skill!" – Mark Lynch

“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

Executive Director

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. He  currently serves as VitalChurch's Executive Director. 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 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, the San Francisco Bay area, New Hampshire, Southern California, and most recently, Massachusetts. Gregg has also participated in or led more than 70 diagnostics across the U.S. and in Europe. Gregg is a Trustee on the VitalChurch U.K. Team and enjoys gospel-centered theology, trying to keep up with technology, cycling, paddle boarding, and really good coffee. Gregg has been married to Linda since 1978 and they have four adult children and several grandsons.

VitalChurch Presenters

Laurel Schumacher

Chief Operating Officer and Host

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.

John Gee

Associate Director, Diagnostic Division

John joined the VitalChurch diagnostic division in 2021, bringing with him 21 years of data gathering and interpretation experience from his years in the Navy. John also has a pastoral background and has served with the Christian and Missionary Alliance for eight years, including in the role of interim pastor. John holds a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies, an M.Div., Mth, and M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is a licensed M.F.T.A. in Washington State. More about John

Wade Thompson

UK Executive Director

Wade joined VitalChurch Ministry in 2010 after leading a church plant team in Glasgow, Scotland for several years. His heart for the local church led him to bring the VitalChurch process to the UK, and in 2019 VitalChurch UK became its own charity organization under Wade's direction.

Guest Presenters

Keith Webb

President, Creative Results Management

Keith is the author of the best-selling book The COACH Model for Christian Leaders. As a speaker and workshop leader, Keith is noted for his humor, interactivity, and practicality. He has facilitated leadership development processes in more than 30 countries. Keith developed The COACH Model® in 2004 and The Coaching Mastery Certificate Program, the all-in-one ICF ACC program. He is the author of numerous articles on leadership, coaching, and cross-cultural topics, many of which are posted at keithwebb.com.

Jeff Arthurs

Robinson Chair of Preaching and Communication and Professor of Preaching and Communication at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Jeff has a Ph.D in Communications from Purdue University. He is a skilled communicator with a passion for preaching. As a teenager, he came to saving faith in Jesus and received a call to preach at age sixteen. Jeff has a wide range of communication experience, which includes roles such as teacher, pastor, missionary, director, and consultant to equip others for more effective proclamation of the Word.

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.