When a pastor leaves, the first question a small church asks is: who preaches Sunday? The second question is: what do we do now? A transitional pastor answers both questions. But most small churches have never worked with one before and do not know what to expect.
The average small church pastoral search takes 12-18 months, according to Lifeway Research. That is a long time to be without pastoral leadership. How well you fill that gap will significantly affect the health of your church during the transition and the success of your permanent pastor search.
The three types: a direct comparison
| Type | What they do | Best for | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supply pastor | Fills the pulpit on Sundays. No ongoing pastoral care or leadership. | Strong lay leadership, short expected search timeline | $150-$400 per Sunday |
| Bridge pastor | Full pastoral care and leadership during the transition. Not a candidate for the permanent position. | Most small churches with a search timeline of 6+ months | $800-$1,500/month part-time; 60-80% of permanent pastor salary full-time |
| Intentional interim | Trained specialist who helps the church work through unresolved issues before calling a new pastor. | Churches coming out of conflict, pastoral failure, or a long difficult pastorate | $3,000-$5,000/month plus housing |
Where to find a transitional pastor
Your denomination first. Most denominations maintain a list of pastors available for interim ministry and have a placement process. This is your first call, not your last resort.
Retired pastors in your area. Many retired pastors are willing to serve as interim pastors at reduced compensation. They have experience, they are not looking for a permanent call, and they often have deep roots in the community.
Seminary professors. Seminary faculty sometimes serve as interim pastors. They bring theological depth 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. This works best for supply pastor arrangements, not full bridge pastor roles.
What to put in writing before the interim begins
Every interim arrangement should have a written agreement covering: how many Sundays per month they will preach, whether they will provide pastoral care (hospital visits, funerals, counseling), whether they will attend board meetings, what the compensation is and how it is paid, and the expected length of service.
The most important boundary: the interim pastor should not be involved in the search process. They should not recommend candidates, sit in on interviews, or influence the committee’s decision. This protects the integrity of the search and prevents the interim from becoming a de facto candidate.
Using the interim period well
The interim period is not a waiting room. It is one of the most important seasons a church will go through. Churches that use it well arrive at their permanent pastor search with clarity about who they are, what they need, and what they are ready to change. Churches that waste it arrive confused and desperate.
Use the interim period to do 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.
Pastor Search and Transition Resources
MinistryPlace has a complete library of free and affordable resources for churches in pastoral transition, including an Interim Pastor Handbook, search committee guides, and a pastor profile template.
Related reading
- When Your Pastor Leaves: A Church’s Guide to the Interim Period
- Replanting vs. Revitalization vs. Restart: What Rural Churches Actually Need
- The Rural Church Health Snapshot: 10 Questions to Know Where You Stand
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a transitional pastor?
A transitional pastor, also called 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 term ‘transitional pastor’ is sometimes preferred over ‘interim pastor’ because it emphasizes the active, purposeful nature of the role rather than the temporary nature.
What are the three types of interim pastors?
Supply pastor: fills the pulpit on Sundays but does not provide ongoing pastoral care or leadership. Best for churches with strong lay leadership and a short expected search timeline. Bridge pastor: provides full pastoral care and leadership during the transition without being a candidate for the permanent position. Most common for small churches with a longer search timeline. Intentional interim: a trained specialist who helps the church work through unresolved issues from the previous pastorate before calling a new pastor. Best for churches coming out of a difficult or conflicted pastoral departure.
How much does an interim pastor cost?
Supply pastor (Sunday only): $150-$400 per Sunday. Part-time bridge pastor (10-15 hours per 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. These are general ranges. Actual compensation depends on the pastor’s experience, the church’s location, and the scope of the role.
Can an interim pastor become the permanent pastor?
This is a judgment call, but most church health experts advise against it. The interim pastor’s role is to keep the church stable and help it prepare for a new permanent pastor. If the interim becomes a candidate, it changes the dynamic of the interim period and can compromise the integrity of the search process. Some denominations prohibit it outright. If a church wants to consider the interim as a candidate, they should end the interim relationship first and then begin a formal search process.
How long does a pastoral transition typically take?
Lifeway Research data shows the average small church pastoral search takes 12-18 months. Rural churches often take longer because the candidate pool is smaller and the search committee may be less experienced. The interim period should be used productively, not just as a waiting room. Churches that use the interim period to do honest self-assessment, address unresolved conflict, and prepare a thorough church profile tend to make better permanent pastor calls.
Sources
- MinistryPlace: Pastor Search and Transition Resources — free and affordable tools for churches navigating pastoral transition, including the Interim Pastor Handbook.
- Lifeway Research — source for the 12-18 month average pastoral search timeline data for small churches.
- Rural Think Tank: Pastor Search and Transition Hub — comprehensive guide for rural churches navigating the interim period and pastor search.
