CHURCH & MINISTRY ASSESSMENTS

Church assessments are another set of eyes on a church’s ministry. They are usually quite comprehensive in scope; observation sessions typically include attending a board meeting and/or an elders meeting (if separate from the church board meetings), all Sunday and other weekend services, multiple meetings with the senior pastor and his wife (as appropriate), and any other key meetings (as determined by the pastor).

To organize and get started on an assessment, Poimen Ministries sends out a pre-assessment questionnaire for the senior pastor to complete. This questionnaire provides information about the church and identifies those with whom the senior pastor would like us to speak. It also identifies any particular areas of focus important to the

pastor.

ON-SITE TRANSITIONAL PASTOR

A Poimen Ministries on-site transitional senior pastor (TSP) is a pastor who relocates to a new area for the purpose of guiding a church through the process of transitioning to their next pastor. This process involves helping the church heal or recover from the departure of the senior pastor, and to pastorally lead the church through the process of identifying their next pastor.

As a transitional senior pastor, the Poimen pastor receives the level of authority attributed to the senior pastor in the church bylaws. He is the senior/lead pastor and president of the board of directors until the new senior pastor is identified and installed into his ministry with the church.

Note: all on-site TSP assignments must be approved by the director of Poimen Ministries or his designee.

OFF-SITE TRANSITIONAL PASTOR

Off-site transitional support is provided when a church/pastor reaches out to Poimen Ministries for help in the process of transitioning from their current pastor to their next pastor. In such a case, the current pastor will likely be involved on some level in the process of naming his successor.

Off-site transitional support usually involves:

- Helping the pastor identify his future ministry.

- Helping the church board with a plan for the departing pastor’s retirement allotment.

- Meeting with the pastor and board of directors (BOD), helping them understand the many details of the process in moving forward.

- Assisting the pastor and BOD with a pastoral prospectus which describes the church, community, ideal candidate, and other pertinent information.

- Assisting the BOD in getting the word out about the need for a new pastor, including sending the prospectus to appropriate people/candidates.

- Vetting interested candidates.

- Providing counsel throughout the entire process as the church calls and installs its new senior pastor.

- Follow-up as needed, as requested by the new pastor.

SABBATICAL SUPPORT

Poimen Ministries supports and encourages pastoral sabbaticals. When a pastor and church board reach out to Poimen Ministries for sabbatical support, they are requesting that one of our team come and assume normal pastoral and sacerdotal duties for the length of the pastor’s sabbatical. Thus, we become the temporary senior pastor for that fellowship.

It is an important role. During this time, our team can significantly serve the pastor, before and after the sabbatical. We can help him with sabbatical vision, decisions about the length of the sabbatical, and how he wants us to help him strengthen his ministry within the church.

Prior to accepting a sabbatical support assignment, Poimen Ministries requires the completion of a pre-sabbatical questionnaire, put together by our team. The completed questionnaire will be of great benefit in charting the sabbatical course. It will also help avoid any miscommunication with regard to expectations.

An excellent resource detailing the need, why, and how-to of a pastoral sabbatical is the book by Pastor Wayne Cordeiro entitled "Leading on Empty: Refilling Your Tank and Renewing Your Passion." We recommend that pastors and board members read this book and review it together.

ONGOING PASTORAL COACHING

A coaching relationship with a pastor usually begins with the pastor’s need for a refreshed vision or reminder of his calling. Senior pastors of churches today have many competing pressures which can drain them of energy and passion for what they are ideally suited for and called to do. Our goal is to mostly use good questions and reflective listening to draw out of the pastor what he already knows but may have forgotten, or to inspire new thoughts in God’s direction.

A coaching relationship involves multiple conversations which can be done in-person or via video conferencing. Specifically, a coaching commitment consists of a predetermined number of sessions (minimum 3 months), and sessions are once per week. Homework is required in every coaching relationship.

PULPIT SUPPLY

Poimen pastors are available to teach for a pastor as needed. This pulpit supply facilitates days off for pastors who may otherwise not be able to take any breaks. 

CONFERENCE SPEAKING

Poimen pastors are available to speak at or help lead retreats and conferences. As seasoned leaders with years of practical experience, they bring valuable insights and wisdom on a wide array of biblical topics.