For a practical guide to preaching through a book of the Bible, see our expository preaching guide for small church pastors.

By Brent Lacy

When a pastor leaves, the first question a small church asks is: who preaches Sunday? The second question is: what do we do now? An interim pastor answers both questions. But most small churches have never worked with an interim pastor before and do not know what to expect. This handbook covers everything you need to know.

What Is an Interim Pastor?

An interim pastor is a pastor who serves a church temporarily during the transition between permanent pastors. Their role is to keep the church healthy and stable while the search committee finds a permanent pastor. They are not a candidate for the permanent position.

The Three Types of Interim Pastors

1. Supply Pastor

A supply pastor fills the pulpit on Sundays but does not provide ongoing pastoral care or leadership. This is the most common and least expensive option. It works for churches that have strong lay leadership and a short expected search timeline.

2. Bridge Pastor

A bridge pastor provides full pastoral care and leadership during the transition, essentially functioning as a part-time or full-time pastor without being a candidate for the permanent position. This is the most common model for small churches with a longer search timeline.

3. Intentional Interim Pastor

An intentional interim is a trained specialist who helps the church work through unresolved issues from the previous pastorate before calling a new pastor. They are the right choice for churches coming out of a difficult or conflicted pastoral departure.

Where to Find an Interim Pastor

• Your denomination. Most denominations maintain a list of pastors available for interim ministry. This is your first call.
• Retired pastors in your area. Many retired pastors are willing to serve as interim pastors at reduced compensation.
• Seminary professors. Seminary faculty sometimes serve as interim pastors and are not looking for a permanent position.
• Neighboring pastors. A pastor from a nearby church may be willing to provide pulpit supply or limited interim ministry on a part-time basis.

What to Pay an Interim Pastor

• Supply pastor (Sunday only): $150-$400 per Sunday
• Part-time bridge pastor (10-15 hrs/week): $800-$1,500 per month
• Full-time bridge pastor: 60-80% of what the permanent pastor was paid
• Intentional interim specialist: $3,000-$5,000 per month plus housing

Using the Interim Period Well

The interim period is not just a waiting room. Use it to conduct an honest assessment of the church’s health, address unresolved conflict from the previous pastorate, update outdated bylaws, build the financial reserve that will sustain the church during the search, and prepare a thorough church profile for the search committee.

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