When a preacher stays a long time, usually the church doesn't like the next preacher.

I volunteer to be the next preacher they don't like.

During the six to eighteen months Gail and I work with them, they have time to grieve their losses and wisely select their next preacher.

This website describes how we do it.

 

 

 

Between Preachers

Between Preachers — ideas to improve transitions

Jerrie's book about interim ministry

When a preacher stays a long time, usually the church doesn’t like the next preacher. I volunteer to be the next preacher they don’t like. During the six to eighteen months Gail and I work with them, they have time to grieve their losses and wisely select their next preacher. This book describes how we do it.

Buy Between Preachers

 

 

Buy on Amazon

 

 

 

Roger Leonard recommends Between Preachers, by Jerrie Barber

My wife, Alisa, and I were in the first Interim Ministry workshop Jerrie conducted. It was most informative and helpful. This book is an excellent summary of the workshop and thorough guide to getting started in interim ministry, and for churches to understand how it can work positively. There are supplementary resource recommendations inside. Preachers, elders, deacons and other church members can work toward better communication, relationships, transitions, and longer term preacher tenures by using the ideas in this book. 

— Roger L. Leonard

Between Preachers Blog Posts

Is the Preacher a Member of the Congregation? When do he and his family “place membership”? Do they do it like other people or do they get a special pass?

July 19, 2021 Jerrie Barber
5 Comments
Communication, Contracts, Family Systems, Rules

I was in my third full-time work as a preacher. It occurred to me that I’d never “placed membership” with...

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”Have you ever choked on a criticism sandwich?”

June 14, 2021 Jerrie Barber
4 Comments
Communication, Conflict, Criticism, Leadership, Rules

A friend asked this question recently: “Have you ever choked on a criticism sandwich?”. He’d heard my criticism workshop: Criticism Rule....

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Physical exercise has some value (1 Timothy 4:8, GNB)

May 17, 2021 Jerrie Barber
2 Comments
Leadership, Rules

Financial advisors tell us the advantages of investing early: compound interest works better over time. I think the same principle...

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Digital Tools for Today’s Shepherds

April 19, 2021 Jerrie Barber
Off
Communication, Leadership, Tools

Since March 1985, I’ve been blessed by using a computer to help me in my work as a preacher. It’s...

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Books I Have Found Helpful

March 15, 2021 Jerrie Barber
4 Comments
Communication, Conflict, Criticism, Family Systems, Interim, Leadership, Search, Tools, Transition

Often I’m asked to provide a list of books I’ve found helpful. I’m glad to do this. Let’s start with...

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It is Finished: a transition from paper to digital illustration files

February 15, 2021 Jerrie Barber
2 Comments
Communication, Preaching, Tools, Transition

February 5, 2021 brought the end of a seven and a half year process. I bought a new scanner July...

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Most Read Blog Posts and Pages

My Interim Principles

Block 1
  • I have no desire to be your next full-time preacher. I am an intentional interim. I will be with your while you are selecting your next preacher.

  • We will negotiate an agreement that will be mutually beneficial.

  • The usual working agreement is six to eighteen months.

  • The cost is adjusted to the size of the congregation.

  • The interim time is an opportunity for learning and growing spiritually while you are in transition.

What People Have Said about Interim Ministry

  • I have greatly enjoyed having the Barbers in Sikeston this pas year and a half! Jerrie taught and challenged us to be the people God wants us to be. He & Gail got involved, served us and set an example for us. My life and outlook is different because they were here.
    Kathy McClellanKathy McClellan
    If I got up and decided that I could not get up & go to church I knew that I could not miss the sermon you were giving.  It has always been great!  Thanks for you and Gail.  I loved the Ladies Class when Gail was teaching.  She made us feel down to earth and that we were not the only one to have problems at work, or at home! Thank You! Friend!
    GailGail
    Bro and Sis Barber are shining examples of Christian love & guidance.  Both have helped the church as a whole without forgetting the individual members in the process. 
Bro. Barber had excellent lessons on helping the church to be ready for choosing a preacher, without rushing it.  He was available to speak & help guide individual members who struggled with Christian issues providing information & willing to receive it as well.  Both are wonderful with children, bringing smiles as much as getting them. Some "touchy" topics need to have sermons that concentrate more on Biblical Scriptures than earthly instruction.  It's hard to argue against God, especially when given much evidence from the Book.
    JenniferJennifer