Coaching For Interims

Rev. Dr. Jim Latimer, PCC

”Wisdom From The Field” are interviews with skilled interim ministers, hosted by Reverend Jim. Coaching For Interims empowers interim ministers to lead with creativity, authenticity and boldness for the thriving of their ministries.

  1. 6d ago

    Is Normalizing Pastor Exhaustion & Burnout Helpful? Self-fulfilling? - Rev. Anna Tew. Episode 117

    Somewhere along the way, the church (church culture) began telling pastors that if they're not tired, overcommitted, and running late, they must not be doing ministry correctly. Rev. Anna Tew would like to file a gentle objection. Burnout isn't a spiritual gift, and exhaustion isn't listed among the fruits of the Spirit. In this candid and practical conversation, Anna shares what she learned after nearly burning out herself: sometimes the holiest thing you can put on your calendar is a blank space. From learning to say "no" (without writing a three-page apology) to recognizing resentment as an early warning light, she offers wise—and refreshingly freeing—advice for building a ministry that's sustainable for the long haul. Normalizing Burnout in Ministry The Power of Flexibility in Schedules Balancing Personal and Professional Time Dealing with Resentment and Setting Boundaries Learning from Mistakes and Improving Self-Awareness Normalizing Exhaustion vs. Embracing Rest For a transcript of this episode, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website. In addition, subscribe to this podcast series if you want to be notified when additional podcasts are available.

  2. Jul 11

    From Pastor-Centered to Congregation-Centered: Finding Joy in the Midst of an Uncertain Future - Reverend Peter Ilgenfritz. Episode 116

    Many smaller congregations these days are struggling to find effective pastoral leadership, or, for that matter, any pastor at all. Interestingly, there is significant evidence that congregations that are less dependent on having a pastor at the center of things all the time are better able to adapt to a changing environment. Put differently: being more congregation-centered than pastor-centered can enable them to be more nimble and responsive. But how do you get there? In this episode titled, “From Pastor-Centered to Congregation-Centered: Finding Joy in the Midst of an Uncertain Future,” Rev. Peter Ilgenfritz shares the highlights of how he and the congregation he serves evolved in just this way, and the new joy  and vitality they are experiencing. For a transcript of this episode, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website. In addition, subscribe to this podcast series if you want to be notified when additional podcasts are available.

  3. Jul 2

    When the Numbers Aren’t Enough: Finding Realistic Hope in an Uncertain Future - Rev. Quentin Chin. Episode 115

    You've looked ahead and realized that, before long, there may not be enough people to sustain your church. Is there any reason for hope? Absolutely. Realistic hope doesn't deny hard realities—it faces them with honesty and faith. It's the kind of hope God blesses because it frees us from clinging to the past and releases the energy and joy to become the best church we can be today. And that's all God asks of us. In this episode titled, “When the Numbers Aren’t Enough: Finding Realistic Hope in a Uncertain Future,” Rev. Quentin Chin draws on his firsthand experience with congregations facing exactly these challenges and shows where realistic hope can be found.

  4. Mar 23

    How to Run Effective Local Multi-day Mission Trips - Rev. Joe Motz. Episode 114

    When planning your next multi-day mission trip, ever have someone grumble, “Why do we always have to go far away? Why don’t we do something local? Doesn’t our own community have needs too?” In this episode titled, “What We Learned about how to Run Effective Local Multi-day Mission Trips,” Rev. Joe Motz shares his innovative approach to creating local multi-day mission trips that really do change lives as measured by personal and community transformation, and a sense of relevance and connection within the church and wider community. For a transcript of this episode, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website. In addition, subscribe to this podcast series if you want to be notified when additional podcasts are available. Reverend Motz discusses his innovative approach to local  multi-day mission trips; Initial challenges included finding organizations to serve and raising funds; Key role played by local government and business support; Success measured by personal and community transformation & fostering a sense of relevance and connection within the church and community; Trip details – planning, roles, and daily routines.

  5. 12/31/2025

    What Enabled My Congregation to Communicate Better in Moments of Tension - Rev. Alisa Dickhoff. Episode 113

    When the tension goes up, do some people in your congregation speak in hurtful ways? Do others seem resigned to accept this bad behavior and its fallout of damaged relationships and poor quality communication? If so, listen in. In this episode titled, “What Has Enabled My Congregation to Communicate Better in Moments of Tension,” Rev. Alisa Dickhoff shares her direct experience with bully behavior in meetings, and what she and her leadership have done to foster healthy communication and keep it that way. For a transcript of this episode, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website. In addition, subscribe to this podcast series if you want to be notified when additional podcasts are available. Reverend Alisa Dickhoff's Approach to Conflict Resolution Modeling Vulnerability and Encouraging Open Communication Addressing Bad Behavior and Bullying in Church Committees The Role of Leadership in Modeling and Training Follow-Up and Continuous Support

  6. 10/15/2025

    Fostering Authentic Faith Using a One Room Schoolhouse Context – Rev. Marissa Rapoza. Episode 112

    As a Sunday School teacher or youth group leader in a smaller congregation, do you feel stuck juggling 10-year-olds and 18-year-olds all together in the same room and wondering how to reach them all without overlooking anyone? If so, you're not alone—and you're not without options. In this episode titled, “Fostering Authentic Faith Using a One Room Schoolhouse Context,” Rev. Marissa Rapoza shares why she actually prefers having all the ages together, and how the curriculum she designed develops their critical thinking skills and uses the ages differences to advantage such that they spark each other’s learning and growth. For a transcript of this episode, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website. In addition, subscribe to this podcast series if you want to be notified when additional podcasts are available.

  7. 09/15/2025

    Crucial Conversations and Interim Ministry - Rev. Doug Bixby. Episode 111

    It seems that Settled Ministers and the Interim Ministers who preceded them don’t often have much to say to each other. Such conversations can be tricky, as expectations, turf, and egos all must be negotiated.  And yet, there are many benefits to be had. In this episode titled, “Crucial Conversations and Interim Ministry,” Rev. Doug Bixby, the settled Senior Minister at First Church of Christ in Longmeadow, MA (UCC) and Rev. Jim Latimer, the Intentional Interim Minister who preceded him, share how they navigated their conversations and the specific benefits reaped by both of the pastors as well as the congregation’s ministry. For a transcript of this episode, please visit the Coachingforinterims.com website. In addition, subscribe to this podcast series if you want to be notified when additional podcasts are available.

  8. 06/18/2025

    Using A.I. in Church: How It Lightens My Administrative Load - Rev. Tom Hathaway. Episode 110

    Is creating content to communicate about lots of different things around your ministry taking up too much energy? Do you wish you had more administrative support? If so, this podcast titled, “Using AI in Church: How It Lightens My Administrative Load,” is for you. Reverend Tom Hathaway, a solo pastor with no administrative staff support, shares his innovative use of ChatGBT to streamline church administrative tasks such as creating sermon teasers, event descriptions and Bible reading plans, thereby helping him to work more efficiently and stay focused on what he uniquely can do and does best.

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About

”Wisdom From The Field” are interviews with skilled interim ministers, hosted by Reverend Jim. Coaching For Interims empowers interim ministers to lead with creativity, authenticity and boldness for the thriving of their ministries.

Information

  • Creator
    Rev. Dr. Jim Latimer, PCC
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Coaching For Interims