By Paul Kerr

After retirement what? Nearly twenty happy years of leadership with FEB Inter-national (the foreign mission agency of the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist churches in Canada) had now come to an end. The prospect of Interim ministry excited and intimidated me. It excited my wife and I because we would have the privilege of connecting at the grass roots level. Our responsibilities with the mission had been primarily with missionaries, national leaders, and new candidates. However it was also intimidating. Over the last two decades there had been significant changes in local church life. Could we adapt? Would my style of ministry have a place in this changed church scene?

Our experiences have far exceeded our expectations. In every fellowship of believers, God has his choice servants-people of commitment and vision- who care deeply about the Pastor and Pastoral staff, and have a heart for the church and community. Developing relationships with these faithful believers has been a privilege.

It has come as no surprise that styles of church life vary, with music often as a key defining factor. I have been so thankful that my responsibilities have not included arranging the order of service and selecting worship songs and hymns. Each congregation has their own set of songs they know and love. These may or may not be familiar to us.

Commitment levels to church programs and services may at times be a disappointment. Our observation is that some who classify themselves as “regular” mean attendance at a service once a month or even once in 6 weeks. Thankfully, there are still many who walk through the door every time it swings open.

Responsibilities vary from church to church. Normally, however, I am expected to do the preaching Sunday morning, and Sunday evening. If in fact, the church has an evening service. Where there is a traditional Wednesday prayer meeting, I may be asked to prepare the devotional. However, with small groups flourishing, this aspect of church life has also changed. I have enjoyed leading a staff meeting in churches having multiple staff. This not only enables a development of relationships but greatly increases understanding of the church.

I have enjoyed the hospital, nursing home, and shut-in visits. Children of God who have walked with God for decades have a maturity and stability that impacts the life of anyone who calls. My special joy has been identifying those attending the church who know not our Lord. Several have come to personal faith in Christ when taken through the gospel step by step. In one of the churches, there were several who immediately embraced these babes in Christ and personally discipled them and helped integrate them into one of the well established small groups.

Though my experience is that leadership people often communicate with me as a consultant, it is a joy not to be obligated for extensive administrative responsibilities. There are cautions for those of us given this privilege however. The reality is that we who serve have needs. We need to be needed. Leadership and shepherding people has been our life experience. So this opportunity meets one of our needs. Locating a church where retired ministry personnel are welcomed, may not be easy. And the financial aspect also becomes a factor. Few among the present retirees have adequate pensions and interim ministry certainly helps make ends meet. The fact remains, however, that the primary purpose is not meeting my needs, but those of the church. This must be kept front and centre. The kind comments of the congregation suggesting we extend our time must not distract us from the purpose of our responsibility. We serve to assist a church in transition. The goal is not to build a loyal following but rather to prepare the church for a full- time Pastor who can meet the needs of the people in a way that a retiree serving part- time cannot. My observation is that keeping this before the church helps them maintain the focus. In every public prayer, I have brought the Pastoral search committee and the man of God’s choice before the Lord.

Though a lengthy interim may be appropriate occasionally, most often each situation needs a specific time frame. Six months was recommended to me from our denominational leadership and I have found their counsel wise, though as one becomes increasingly connected there is a temptation to extend.

My wife and I have experienced warm hospitality and great fellowship in each setting. What a special privilege at this stage of life to share from the experiences of a life time with younger Pastoral staff and church families. Though the contribution from our perspective may be limited and inadequate, God in his kindness has chosen to bless and encourage…..us to them…and them to us.

Paul Kerr, with his wife Mary, served in India as the first appointed missionaries with the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada for more than ten years. After returning to Canada in 1974, he was called to be the Senior Pastor of Forward Baptist Church in Toronto.

In 1982, he began nineteen years of service on the home staff of FEB International (Fellowship Baptist Missions) seventeen of those as Director.

Since retirement he has served as an Interim Pastor and is now in his seventh ministry. Most have been six or seven months in duration, two were short assignments of two months each. Of these, five have been Fellowship Baptist churches, one Brethren chapel, and he is presently serving in an Associated Gospel Church.