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Most ministers of music will eventually minister without a pastor. Although this period may be long anticipated, sometimes it comes by surprise. While this period can be filled with anxiety, it can also be a time of personal as well as church growth. Churches respond differently to interim periods. Churches that are strongly lay-led often function very effectively, and the pastor may be hardly missed in the day-to-day operations of the church. On the other hand, churches that are very pastor-driven often move into a tail- spin when the pastor leaves, especially if he/she was particularly well loved and much grief accompanies the departure. When ministering without a pastor, the following suggestions will be helpful:

1 Andre Schaeffer, "Knowing When to Refer," Church Administration, vol. 41, no. 11, (September 1999), 28.

2 Howard W. Stone, "Pastoral Counseling and the Changing Times," The Journal of Pastoral Care, vol. 53, no. l, (Spring 1999), 34.

3 Ibid., 36.

Realize Your Role

You will be asked to shoulder more responsibility during this period; however, realize that this is only temporary. You should understate the new roles and be willing to give them up when the new pastor arrives. While you may receive accolades during this period for your outstanding administrative abilities, don't get attached to this new role and become ineffective in making the transition when the new pastor arrives. Your role is only to facilitate this interim.

Discover New Skills

Be willing to view the interim as a time to discover and practice new skills. You may be asked to facilitate staff meetings and set the agenda for church council. You may have added responsibilities for worship leadership and planning. You may be asked to preach and preside at weddings and funerals. Whatever you're asked to do, recognize the opportunity for personal growth and special service to the church.

Be Flexible

Interim periods require flexibility. Often, you will have to make hospital visits and other ministry calls that may interrupt the usual flow of your schedule. You will usually be asked to attend more committee meetings and supervise more people. Worship plans may be changed at the last minute to accommodate guest speakers and called business meetings. Church policies may outline plans for interim periods, or the church may devise a plan. Each time you serve without a pastor, the interim will be different because it will reflect current staff, lay leadership, and the current needs of the church.

Don't Become Power Hungry

When you take on more responsibility and assume a higher profile, you can be tempted to enjoy the power. Realize that these responsibilities were added because the church trusted your ability to handle them. They are not a reflection of power or control.

Be Ready to Offer Input If Asked

You may or may not be asked to provide input to the pastor search committee. Your role in the process may be either significant or minimal. I have been in three pastor-less periods, and the input that I was asked to give has varied. Often you will not be asked to provide input until the candidate is brought for interviews. By that time, it may be a "done deal." Most importantly, don't set up a scenario in which you expect to be sought-out for your opinion. If you set up such a scenario and you're not consulted, you'll be frustrated and will feel as if your input in not considered valuable.

Be a Source of Positive Energy for Others

You have the opportunity to be a source of positive energy for others. Ministers often become discouraged in this period, and church leaders become weary when the process is lengthy. You can offer an optimistic perspective during this time. Members of the congregation and the ministerial staff may grieve the loss of the former pastor. This grief process is normal. If healing is not allowed to take place, the new pastor will have little chance of being effective.

Anticipate with Optimism

While you are carrying extra duties during this period and are consumed with added responsibilities, you may also be fearful for your own future. "Will the new pastor be someone I can work with effectively?" "Will the new pastor want to bring in his/her own ministerial staff?" "Will I still have a job?" "Will the new pastor desire things from me that I'll not be able to provide?" All of these questions are valid and real; however, resist the temptation to obsess on these concerns. You may be tempted to begin to build a network within the church to protect you should some of your fears become reality. Resist this divisive action! God has called you to your present place of service, and God can surely be trusted with your future.