Appreciative Interim Ministry (AIM)

Appreciative Inquiry teaches: "What we focus on becomes our reality". Appreciative Interim Ministry or AIM pays particular attention to what the Interim "aims" for during the interim time. The Interim can focus on the problems the congregation was having in their last ministry or they can "aim" for the life-giving realities in the congregation and consider how they can be developed to create the congregation's future.

The appreciative approach contrasts many contemporary organizational interventions that utilize an illness model to focus on and eliminate problems. While well intentioned these problem focussed approaches often lead to increasing cycles of negativity and frustration rather than the hoped for congregational transformation. While positive in focus the appreciative approach does not avoid problems during the interim time. Rather the appreciative way looks to what is working and creatively expanding those activities to motivate and inspire transformational solutions.

We call this appreciative approach to interim ministry "AIM". Rather than relying on a "one size fits all" formula for interim ministry AIM provides an incarnational way to join a congregation and develop a unique ministry for each ministry setting. It is about aiming for and discovering "what in God's name is going on in a congregation" and then growing these Godly realities to co-creating with God the congregation's future.

Certificate in Appreciative Interim Ministry (AIM)

The Clergy Leadership Institute has developed a year long Appreciative Interim Ministry training program that is a unique blend of

• Theological Reflection
• Appreciative Inquiry
• Organizational Psychology
• Transitional Leadership Theory

The training which may be taken in a variety of locations is typically arranged in the following sequential format:

• AIM 1: Week Long Residential Intensive,
  Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry (2.5 days)
  Introduction to Appreciative Interim Ministry(2.5 days)
• Weekly Teleconference for Implementation Consultation
• Pre-Training Leadership Assessment
• AIM 2: Week Long Residential Intensive,
  Appreciative Leadership for Managing Change

AIM 1: Introduction to Appreciative Interim Ministry

This five day intensive is broken into two segments. The first half is devoted to learning the philosophy and process of Appreciative Inquiry which provides the foundation of AIM. The second half of the training is devoted to presenting the incarnational model of AIM and strategies for joining a congregation and working with the parish dynamics to co-create preferred outcomes. Participants may complete these two segments separately at differing locations provided that the AI portion precedes the interim ministry training. Please see Introduction to Appreciative Interim Ministry for more details of the program.

Weekly Teleconference for Just-In-Time Consultation

Weekly telephone based conference calls with a maximum of 8 people are scheduled at several times during the week to enable participants to receive "just-in-time" consultation as they engage in interim ministry.

Pre-Training Leadership Assessment

Prior to the second intensive participants will complete an online 360 degree leadership assessment, the results of which will be discussed during the second intensive.

AIM 2: Appreciative Leadership for Managing Change

The second week long intensive looks primarily at issues of leadership during the interim time and especially the leadership style of the Interim Minister. This program is restricted to 14 participants to create a supportive learning environment for participants. For details of this program please go to Appreciative Leadership for Managing Change

Schedule:

A typical AIM training schedule is as follows. Sessions include didactic presentations, personal reflection, Bible study and the daily offices from the Episcopal tradition.

Day 1:
9:00-12:00        Session 1
12:00-1:30 pm   Lunch
1:30-3:15 pm     Session 2
3:15-3:45 pm     Walking Meditation and Reflection
3:45-5:30 pm     Session 3

Day 2:
9:00-12:00        Session 4
12:00-1:30 pm   Lunch
1:30-3:15 pm     Session 5
3:15-3:45 pm     Walking Meditation and Reflection
3:45-5:30 pm     Session 6: Designing what could be
    Evening: Optional voluntary program: Introduction to Yes!³

Day 3:
9:00-12:00        Session 7
12:00-1:30 pm   Lunch
1:30-3:15 pm     Session 8
3:15-3:45 pm     Walking Meditation and Reflection
3:45-5:30 pm     Session 9

Day 4:
9:00-12:00        Session 10
12:00-1:30 pm   Lunch
1:30-3:15 pm     Session 11
3:15-3:45 pm     Walking Meditation and Reflection
3:45-5:30 pm     Session 12

Day 5:
9:00-12:00        Session 13

Workshop Format

The workshop is typically conducted in a retreat setting or parish with:

• Didactic presentations
• Personal practice and experience of appreciative process
• Time for personal reflection and meditation
• Corporate prayer
• Opportunity for creative reflection on the past and anticipation of the future

Presenter

Rob Voyle is an ordained Episcopal priest, psychologist, and coach. He is the Director of the Clergy Leadership Institute. Rob's parish ministry of over 20 years was primarily in the field of Interim Ministry. He is the organizer of the Transitional Ministry Network and is a past coordinator of the National Association of Episcopal Interim Ministry Specialists.

Rob is the originator of AIM which is the result of his twenty years of experience in interim ministry and organizational consultation.

Costs for 2009

Specific costs may vary depending on the hosting organization and the location.
For general cost estimates please see the costs page

The registration page will have the specific prices for each schedule event.
Please check the schedule and registration page for additional workshop specific information.

Registration for Workshop

To register for the workshop please go to the training schedule and select register for the appropriate workshop. For additional information please contact Rob Voyle