The National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors (NALIP) will host a conference, “Basic Education for the Practice of Interim Ministry,” on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The conference will take place in three different phases. The first phase, titled “Planting,” will be held Nov. 3-7 on the Seminary campus. The second phase, titled “Cultivating,” will be conducted over a six-month period off campus at the participants’ individual churches, designed to implement the skills learned in the first phase. The third phase, titled “Harvesting,” will take place at Concordia Seminary on April 27-May 1, 2009.

The conference is open to all lay leaders and clergy desiring and/or called to intentional interim ministry. Intentional interim ministry is a focused approach for guiding congregations through difficult transitions. The conference will focus on preparing for the interim pastoral phase of a church. Event leaders will present scenarios of situations that may occur doing the interim phase and encourage participants to engage in thoughtful consideration.

The cost is $745 plus materials. Lodging is available on the Seminary campus for $30 per night for a single room or $17.50 per night for a shared room. A list of nearby hotels is available on request, and registrants are responsible for making their own hotel arrangements. A meal plan is available for $70 per phase. All fees must be paid seven days prior to the beginning of the phase.

Concordia Seminary is located at 801 Seminary Place in St. Louis, Missouri. For more information, call 314-505-7486 or e-mail ce@csl.edu.