Three Words: Interim, Senior, Pastor

Three years ago I concluded a one-year term as your Interim Senior Pastor. Little did we know that circumstances would lead to this second time of service. Below is a re-worked copy of the article I shared with you at the beginning of the last interim. There are few changes: the basic concept of Interim Ministry is constant. But the changes are significant:

1.We begin this time of ministry together “down two”. We have a senior pastor vacancy and Pastor Christina is on medical leave recuperating from successful surgery. These first months will be quite busy and creative adaptations have been made (e.g., combining 11:15 services for two months).

2. We have two called rostered leaders already serving here and their calls continue: Pastor Christina and Deacon Kimberly. I looked forward to ministry partnership with these two incredible leaders.

3. Jenna Ramsey has begin her ministry among us, arriving in the midst of transition. I look forward to walking with her through her first year and already have great respect for her and the gifts she brings.

4. As for the rest of the staff, we have worked well together before, and should do so again. We are blessed with a solid team of professionals who care about you and Christ’s church.

For those of you who are new to Grace in these past three years, here is a bit of persona background;

I retired in 2018 after thirty-two years of parish ministry, with the majority of time up the road at Nativity in Arden. Since then I have been teaching for the seminary and synod, and serving as an interim minister. Dana and I have been married 37 years. As an early childhood educator she works here in Hendersonville for WNC Source (Headstart). We have two adult sons, one here and one in Minnesota. We love to travel and hope to do more in the years ahead.

Three Words: Interim, Senior, Pastor

On Friday, January 1, I began to serve as your Interim Senior Pastor. The three words in this job title tell the whole story and define the focus of my ministry at Grace.

INTERIM

My tenure at Grace is intentionally “for a season”. That season begins now during a pastoral vacancy and Pastor Christina’s medical leave. It will conclude with the installation of the next, congregationally-called Senior Pastor. While defined by these two events, this period of interim cannot be scheduled precisely on the church calendar: A call process guided by the Holy Spirit works on God’s time, not ours. Thus, this time of waiting can produce anxiety! As your Interim, my call is to provide non-anxious leadership so that our congregation can commit fully to the search process.

SENIOR

My job description clearly states the expectation that I will serve as the Senior member of the rostered leader team and the head of staff. This also requires pastoral leadership in Congregation Council and the Executive Committee. These congregational leaders will bear the brunt of the anxiety during this time of transition. My goal is to provide care and encouragement to them throughout these months ahead. Please keep your pastors, deacon, staff and elected parish leaders in your prayers as they go the extra mile in these months ahead.

PASTOR

Of the three words in my job title, this one is key. I look forward to serving along side Pastor Christina and Deacon Kimberly. I enjoy the challenge of preaching, the opportunities for teaching, and the privilege of sharing the joys and sorrows of your life journeys. My door is open to you, whether it be office, email, phone, or a home visit. Please do not hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to our shared adventure in ministry. It is an honor and privilege to be your Interim Senior Pastor.

+Pastor Mark Fitzsimmons