A Review of the book:
“Revitalizing Congregations:
Refocusing and Healing through Transitions”
By William O. Avery
Alban Institute 2002
Reviewed by Jim Royston
This new publication from The Alban Institute is a collection of six case studies of congregations being served by an Intentional Interim Pastor. The churches represented several mainline Protestant congregations from North Carolina to California.
Dr. Avery is an experienced denominational leader and seminary professor from The Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Avery does not detail a program but gives a candid snapshot of how leadership models may impact church health during pastoral transitions.
In the foreword Loren Mead describes three models of leadership: 1) The great man theory, 2) The technological model, and 3) The dialogical model.
The Intentional Interim process modeled in each of the books six case studies represent the dialogical process.
The value of a trained experienced and gifted interim pastor is modeled well in the book. Avery gives a documented overview of how effectively a well-trained interim can assist congregations toward healthy revitalization.
The interim pastor skilled in conflict resolution, visioning and pulpit ministry can have a strong influence on process without becoming a candidate for permanent pastor.
One of the interim pastors from the Baptist tradition defined the experience as a process and not a program. The focus was on assisting the congregation to engage in open dialogue about their identity, history, future and preparing for new leadership as opposed to waiting for new leadership to give an agenda.
Two key learnings for me which stood out in the book were the example of how disruptive transition in pastoral leadership can be following long tenured pastors or forced terminations. Either can produce conflict, which can undermine church health for years.
The book builds a strong case for congregations to use transition as a time to refocus and find healing while developing a vision for the future. It would appear to this reviewer that the reclaiming of congregational identity, redreaming of vision and charting a future will help the local parish to call pastoral leadership that “fits” well.
I would recommend this book to lay leaders, pastors, and denominational leaders.
This book demonstrates a fine model for building a foundation for congregational health during transitions.
Conclusion
This is a book about church health, pastoral leadership and the value of the Intentional Interims. If a congregation is about to experience a pastoral transition, this book should be a must read for the parish leadership.
Discussion
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