EP 233 - Effective Interim Pastors: Fearing God more than Man with Scott Catoe
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In this episode, we welcome Scott Catoe, a first-time guest but longtime friend of the podcast, who shares his experiences and insights from serving as the lead pastor at Slater Baptist Church for 10 years and his current role as the Associate Mission Strategist for the Three Rivers Baptist Association. Dr. Catoe discusses his book, ‘Effective Interim Pastors,’ which emerged from his doctoral research on interim pastors.
He highlights the importance of addressing sin, and conflicts, and shaping a healthy church culture through the period of interim ministry rather than avoiding disruption. The conversation emphasizes the tendency of interim pastors and long-term pastors alike to either fear man more than God or seek personal glorification in ministry, contrasting these with the gospel-centered approach required for impactful leadership.
The book outlines eight principles for effective interim pastors, urging a focus on biblical faithfulness, prayer, confronting sin, and equipping the congregation for future growth, all rooted in a deep reverence for God over the fear of man.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:17 Guest’s Background and Current Role
01:07 Discussion on Normative Size Churches
01:45 Revitalization and Replanting Churches
02:08 Introduction to the Book ‘Effective Interim Pastors’
02:41 The Need for Transitional Pastors
03:51 The Role of an Interim Pastor
05:45 The Importance of Addressing Sin in Churches
11:07 The Fear of Man and Hero Syndrome in Ministry
17:16 The Role of Decision-Making in Churches
25:22 Conclusion and Book Recommendation
Fresh off the AMS Replant Lab JimBo discusses the power of partnership. The guys dive into the biblical foundation of partnership, encouraging pastors to work together for the greater mission. Mark and Brandon discuss the benefits of collaboration, including trust-building, credibility, and the potential for a movement in church replanting.
Local associations are the best-placed organization in Southern Baptist life to help pastors care for each other, collaborate, and celebrate together.
Join JimBo, Mark, Brandon, and more at the Am I a Replanter events in April:
We do hope to talk Bob Bickford into coming back on periodically as a guest host.
We are joined in this episode by another Bob, Bob Bumgarner, a good friend and mentor, to share insights on shaping the replant bootcamp moving forward.
Listening to the Field Will Lead You to the Future – Bob Bumgarner introduces a valuable principle: “If you listen to the field, it will lead you to the future.” This concept originated in his experiences consulting and coaching churches, realizing that coaching, rather than consulting, proved more effective. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the field’s needs and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide the process.
Cultural Exegesis and Community Engagement – Bob Bumgarner delves into the significance of cultural exegesis, drawing parallels between understanding a community and the principles of foreign mission trips. He discusses the relevance of studying a community’s values, fears, and needs, emphasizing the role of pastors as cultural exegetes. The conversation highlights Acts 6, 17 and other biblical examples as models for engaging with culture.
Bob Bumgarner offers practical steps for exegeting your community
pray with humility
observe without judgment
ask questions,
join God in what He is already doing in the community
“You can’t exegete your community from your desk”
SUGGEST A GUEST – We would love to encourage you to participate in shaping the podcast’s future. Visit the Replant Bootcamp website and suggest guests or topics. Whether sharing personal experiences or recommending someone with valuable insights, the goal is to foster a community of learners.
Bob Bumgarner offers practical steps – pray with humility, observe without judgment, ask questions, and join God in what He is already doing in the community.
We are happy to be joined in this episode by special guest, Andy Addis to discuss his book, Rhythms. Get a free digital copy of Andy Addis’ book Rhythms at this website: http://FindingBiblicalRhythms.com
You can see a video of him teaching on this book in more detail at the 2023 Replant Summit HERE.
In this episode, JimBo and Andy dive into the importance of intentional time and task management for pastors, especially those in bi-vocational ministry. Andy Addis emphasized the significance of establishing rhythms in life to move from surviving to thriving.
Annual Rhythm: Andy Addis discusses the concept of an annual rhythm, suggesting a sabbatical break every year. Ideally, pastors should take three weeks off, but even a one-week break can make a significant impact. This time is not just about rest but also includes intentional study and planning. It’s an opportunity for pastors to recharge, refocus, and prepare for the upcoming season of ministry. The annual rhythm is a deliberate step toward sustainability, ensuring pastors are not just surviving but thriving in their roles. Even if you can only take one day, Andy walks through how to make the most of that day. This is particularly important if you are a longer-tenured pastor as we have discussed before in EPISODE 215.
Regular Rhythm: Another crucial rhythm is the regular break every seven weekends, allowing pastors to step away from the pulpit and create space for personal and family time. This rhythm is essential for preventing burnout and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. By taking a weekend off regularly, pastors can experience a sense of normalcy, engage in family activities, and enjoy a break from sermon preparation. We have talked about this subject before in EPISODE 221 – Sharing the Pulpit
Weekly Rhythm: The weekly rhythm involves designating one day a week as a true Sabbath day. This day is not limited to Sundays, as pastors often find it challenging to rest on their busiest day. Andy Addis shared his practice of taking either Mondays or Fridays as his Sabbath, emphasizing the importance of having a designated day for personal rest and rejuvenation. It’s about finding what truly brings rest and joy and making it a regular part of the weekly routine.
Day Part Rhythm: Lastly, the day part rhythm encourages pastors to choose two out of three day parts (morning, afternoon, or evening) to work, leaving one for family time. This intentional approach ensures that family gets dedicated time and attention, preventing the exhaustion that comes with working non-stop. By planning family activities during specific day parts, pastors can create a healthy balance between ministry responsibilities and personal life.
Implementing these rhythms is not about perfection but about progress. Pastors can start small and gradually incorporate these practices into their lives. The goal is to move from the trap of constant busyness to a sustainable ministry that allows for rest, family time, and personal growth. By embracing intentional rhythms, pastors can model a balanced life for their congregations and lead by example in navigating the demands of ministry. Wanting to dive more into pastoral self-care? Check out EPISODE 185 with Frank Lewis.
Welcome back Bootcampers! In this EP we welcome Replanter Evan Skelton back to the bootcamp to talk about praying together as a congregation. How can prayer go from something you do (and maybe do awkwardly) to becoming a vital part of the life of your church? Listen in as Bob and Evan discuss the following:
Start intentionally developing a culture of prayer
Preach an annual sermon series on prayer
Recommend and provide resources to your congregation
Incorporate prayer into the worship gathering
Celebrate the victories gained in prayer (not just answers to prayer)
Thanks Evan! We’d love to hear from you and how you’re developing a culture of prayer in your congregation.
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