Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, The Hero’s Farewell: What Happens when CEOs Retire. Oxford University Press, 1991. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry From the Publisher How a business replaces its chief executive often determines that firm’s future. If a business does not effectively manage the transfer of power, utter turmoil can result, with profound implications not
Carolyn Weese and J. Russell Crabtree, The Elephant in the Boardroom: Speaking the Unspoken About Pastoral Transitions – How to Think About and Create a Strategic Succession Plan for Your Church. Jossey-Bass, 2004. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a Leadership Network Publication, which attests to the quality of research
John Vonhoff, The Pastoral Search Journey: A Guide to Finding Your Next Pastor. Alban Institute, 2010. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This updates an earlier volume by Vonhoff, The Alban Guide to Managing the Pastoral Search Process (1999). While companion volumes such as those by Gripe, Mead, and Nicholson are better
Charles M. Olsen and Ellen Morseth, Selecting Church Leaders: A Practice in Spiritual Discernment. Alban Institute, 2002. Related volumes: Morris and Olsen, Discerning God’s Will Together Olsen, Transforming Church Boards Into Communities of Spiritual Leaders Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry Plural Elder Church Leadership LifeandLeadership.com Summary It is easy for churches in ministerial
Roger S. Nicholson, Temporary Shepherds: A Congregational Handbook for Interim Ministry. Alban Institute, 1998. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is probably the most comprehensive resource on this subject. It includes contributions from over 12 experienced interim practitioners on the full range of issues of the interim period. It covers the
Loren B. Mead, A Change of Pastors: …And How It Affects Change in the Congregation. Alban Institute, 2005. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a revision of Mead’s earlier work, A Critical Moment in Ministry. Mead explains why transition periods are ‘extraordinarily pregnant moments,’ full of both positive and negative
Alan G. Gripe, The Interim Pastor’s Manual. Geneva Press, 1997. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This resource is addressed to the polity and procedures of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and based on the assumption that the interim minister and his family will be full-time on location in the interim ministry, but
William O. Avery, Revitalizing Congregations: Refocusing and Healing through Pastoral Transitions. Alban Institute, 2002. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is not a how-to manual, but a detailed retelling of the story of six congregations of different geographies, sizes and ethnicities working through very conflict-ridden pastoral transitions. Avery, a seminary professor,
Edward A. White, Editor, Saying Goodbye: A Time of Growth for Congregations and Pastors. Alban Institute, 1990. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a collection of articles on eight dimensions of ministry terminations: Knowing when it’s time to leave Leave-taking as a time for personal growth How to say goodbye
Lynda C. Ward and Steven P. Brey, Ready, Set, Lead!: The New Pastor’s Guide to Starting Ministry. Abingdon, 2006. Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is written primarily for the new seminary graduate or student minister, and is probably one of the most usable volumes of its kind. It is full
