Interim Ministry and Other Ministry Workshop

Do You Think About Ministry? A better ministry? An Interim Ministry? A new Ministry?
Whether you’re a veteran preacher, a deacon wondering about your next step, a retiring professional ready to serve in a new capacity, or someone in your first year of ministry, if you’ve thought about it, you need to come to this workshop!

This workshop was initially created for individuals considering interim ministries, and it’s the best one you’ll find for that purpose. We desperately need good people to do that work. However, this workshop is so much more than just that. It’s for anyone who has thought about ministry or is considering ministry. You need to come, sit down, and think about ministry with Jerrie Barber.

This three-day interactive and intensive workshop, led by Jerrie Barber, brings decades of real-world experience, hard-earned wisdom, and practical tools for every stage of ministry. From foundational principles to specific skills in leadership, preaching, and congregational dynamics, this is ministry training for real life.
— Travis Harmon, Vice President of Student Services, Heritage Christian University

Schedule

Tuesday, October 7, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 8, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 9, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Location: Heritage Christian University (Housing available in campus dorms upon request)
Lunch is provided daily by Heritage Christian University
Included: Books, materials, mentoring atmosphere

Cost

$300.00 – Preachers
$150.00 – Preachers’ Wives
$100.00 – Returning Participants

Limited spaces available. Spouses invited and encouraged to participate. Reserve your place today: Interim Ministry and Other Ministry Workshop

Led by Jerrie Barber and Gail Champion Barber, speaking to ladies at the workshop.

Jerrie grew up in Centerville, Tennessee. He went to Freed-Hardeman College and received his B.A. in Bible from David Lipscomb College. He has been preaching since 1961. Jerrie married Gail Champion on August 18, 1964. In May 2007, Jerrie and Gail started interim ministry. They have worked with eleven congregations since 2007. Jerrie and Gail have two children, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Jerrie is a ventriloquist, enjoys running barefoot, riding his cruiser bicycle, and writing two blogs: www.newshepherdsorientation.com ; www.betweenpreachers.com, and publishes a podcast each week, Gleaning Mustard Seeds with Jerrie Barber . See Jerrie on Stories of Amazing Grace

Gail Champion Barber went to Childhaven Children’s Home in Cullman, Alabama, when she was eight years old and lived there until she attended college. Gail enjoys sewing, painting, and all things crafty. She enjoys teaching children’s classes and ladies’ classes. Gail loves being a preacher’s wife and helping Jerrie in his work wherever they are ministering. See Gail on Stories of Amazing Grace .

Limited spaces available. Spouses invited and encouraged to participate. Reserve your place today: Interim Ministry and Other Ministry Workshop

Frequently Ask Questions

What is interim ministry?

When a preacher stays a long time, usually the church doesn’t like the next preacher. I volunteer to be the next preacher they don’t like. During the six to eighteen months Gail and I work with them, they have time to grieve their losses and wisely select their next preacher.

What other topics do you plan to discuss in this workshop?

preachers and counseling; counseling for self and others, referrals to professional counselors; pre-marital counseling; caring for your family; continuing education; working with elders; contracts; dealing with difficult people; how to accept, invite, and enjoy criticism; time management; setting and reaching goals; finances; weddings; funerals; selecting and appointing elders and deacons; blogging; podcasting; writing books; leadership training; training and coaching elders and seach team for choosing a new preacher; collecting, filing, and using illustrations; visual aids in teaching and preaching; collecting contact information; maintaining good health; fasting; exercise; family systems; staff meetings; elder meetings; leadership relationships; deciding how to communicate with email, texting, phones, and personal notes; cultivating good habits; evaluating habits; time in isolation for study and growth; other topics suggested by participants; access to any information I have when requested

What will Gail discuss with the ladies?

her book, Fleecy Clouds: One Woman’s Story of Surviving and Thriving after Childhood Abuse; overcoming childhood trauma; healing with christian counseling; participating in and teaching ladies’ Bible class and children’s classes; hospitality; in-law stew during pre-marital counseling; soup and cornbread supper with mock apple pie to get acquainted with people in congregation; playing the Ungame with family and groups in the church; raising PKs; dealing with criticism of husband and children; other topics suggested by participants

What will be the daily schedule?

Tuesday, October 7, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 8, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 9, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

We will attend chapel each morning with the faculty and students at Heritage

Heritage will share lunch with us after chapel at no cost.

What lodging is available?

If you would like to stay on campus, call for details about housing for the ministry workshop, October 7-9: 256.766.6610

There are many hotels in the area. Hotels near Heritage

What have other people said about this workshop?

Ron Sandefur, Jerrie Barber offers invaluable guidance, having over 50 years of experience serving, teaching, leading, and mentoring those seeking to please the Lord. Though each person’s talents, maturity, and expectations are different, God’s word and wisdom apply directly to us as individuals. Let Jerrie Barber share his training and experience so that you can be more effective, as we serve both the Lord and His church together.

Travis Harmon, Vice President of Student Services, Heritage Christian University: For several years, we have hosted a workshop at Heritage Christian University, led by Jerrie Barber. Jerrie is a legend in ministry. In recent seasons, he has specialized in helping churches during times of transition, serving as their interim minister while they search for a new minister. He created this workshop to share what he has learned, and I have discovered that almost all of his material benefits any ministry, not only interim work.

I have attended the workshop multiple times and learn something fresh each year. This year, I asked Jerrie to broaden the focus slightly so that anyone involved in ministry, or even just considering it, can participate.

You will find this three–day event to be the most practical and concentrated ministry training available. If you are a deacon thinking about preaching, a retiree who wants to serve vocationally, a bi-vocational worker, a first–year minister, or a twenty–year veteran, this workshop is for you.

The sessions create space to step back, review the big picture, and sharpen essential skills. The format is small and conversational, more mentoring than lecture, and rooted in real–world experience.

Even past participants will benefit from attending again because Jerrie continues to learn and gladly passes that growth on to others.

If you belong to the church, you need to thank a minister.
If you are a Christian, you have been called to think about ministry.
If you have been called to ministry, this may be the moment to consider or reevaluate your ministry seriously.

Invest three days here; whatever stage you are in, the return will be worth it. It is worth the investment of your money, and it is worth the investment of your time.

Dean Miller, Over a half dozen years ago, I participated in one of Jerrie Barber’s interim ministry training workshops. Frankly, I didn’t have time as a local preacher to do the required reading, drive halfway across Tennessee and sit through all the sessions, but made time. I’m so glad I did! Initially my thinking was focused on considering doing interim ministry in the future. However, what I didn’t realize is how beneficial the training was to me personally and to my local church ministry. The biggest take-away blessing for me was (and still is) a better understanding of how everyone and every organization (obviously, churches) experience transitions. I came away with a clearer understanding of the big picture. I learned about the time, effort, understanding, and patience it takes to negotiate the adjustments that change (any change) requires. Jerrie’s training classes can be as beneficial to local church ministry staff members as those who might like to venture into interim ministry someday.

Limited spaces available. Spouses invited and encouraged to participate. Reserve your place today: Interim Ministry and Other Ministry Workshop

Three things to do to take advantage of this opportunity: