PRACTICAL TOOLS THAT STRENGTHEN SELF-AWARENESS

Rev. Dr. John Beck
September 30, 2025
1-2:30 pm ET

Mature emotional and spiritual functioning is not a one-and-done process.  Rather, it is a life’s work that often happens in fits and starts, often coming amid crises or meltdowns.  Yet growth into greater maturity is also a goal that can be worked on intentionally, especially when the waters of life are calmer. Like the tools the mechanic uses for your regular car tune up, there are special tools that can promote greater self-awareness and its benefits.  This webinar explores three tools that strengthen the ministry practitioner’s capacity: the Johari window, the genogram, and the Somatic Anxiety Inventory.  Join us to explore how to use these processes for greater self-awareness and how to use them with leaders in your context.

John Beck is a student of congregational and leadership dynamics and an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) pastor. He works to strengthen relational and spiritual vitality, especially when conflict has disrupted mission. In addition to 30-plus years of parish experience, John has served as a chaplain, counselor, and seminary professor. He is an Associate of the Kaleidoscope Institute and is a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). His MA in journalism strengthens his communication skills; his PhD in Marital and Family Therapy helps his understanding of family systems; his experiences teaching in several seminaries broadens his appreciation for a diversity of theological perspectives. He is finishing his certification as a trainer with the Stanford Forgiveness Project and is currently an IMN faculty member.

STORIES & LESSONS OF TRANSITIONAL LEADERSHIP
Part 1: Entering With Curiosity

Rev. Dr. Keith Copeland

October 7, 2025
1-2:30 pm Eastern

Entering and exiting are two of the most important parts of Transitional (Interim) Leadership. Entering sets the table for all the other work that is done. This webinar will focus on the first Process Task of entering with curiosity. Using stories and lessons from the presenter and the participants, we will focus on: 

• Understanding that not all questions asked are the real question.
• Digging down deeper to find out what is really going on.
• Entering Relationships with Curiosity
• Developing an Agreement that is more than simply a document

This will be an engaging webinar to share collective wisdom that can be helpful in entering a system with curiosity. It will also be Part 1, with hopes to engage all of the 5 process tasks over time. Come and join as we explore this important process task of Entering.

Rev. Dr. Keith Copeland has served as an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Pastor for 30 years. He has served as settled pastor in 4 congregations and as the interim pastor of 14 congregations in 3 different denominations. In addition, he coaches leaders in communities of faith who are leading in times of transition as well as those experiencing personal and professional transitions. Keith is active on several IMN teams and projects and is the ELCA’s Interim Ministry Association Board Chair.

WELL-BEING & RESILIENCE: REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

The Rev. Dr. John D. Stonesifer

October 14, 2025
1-2:30 pm Eastern

During this 90-min webinar John will reflect on his 25 years of interim work and study – what works and doesn’t work, followed by open discussion of best practices and questions.

The Rev. Dr. John DeWitt Stonesiferis a retired Episcopal priest with 41 years in ordained ministry. His focus the last twenty-five years has been on interim ministry, leading him to serve in parish, life-care community and school settings. John is a graduate of Clemson University (B.A.) and the Virginia Theological Seminary (M. Div.). Post-graduate work has included studies in marketing and church management earning his MBA from the Templeton Institute. Additionally, John has studied Appreciative Inquiry with Clergy Leadership Institute and Mediation Training with the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, and has earned credentials as a life and business coach. John earned his Doctorate in Ministry (D.Min) from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary for his work on interim leadership.  John is an IMN Member and taught on the IMN Faculty for twenty years and has also served on the IMN Board of Directors.

NEGOTIATING INTERIM AGREEMENTS:
ESSENTIAL INSIGHTS FOR TRANSITIONAL CLERGY

Rabbi Tom Apert

October 23, 2025
1-2:30 pm Eastern

HOW I CAME TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I’M DOING AS I ENTERED MY CURRENT INTERIM

The Rev. Dr. William Carl Thomas

November 13, 2025
1-2:30 pm Eastern

LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS FOR MINISTRY: A PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION

Rev. Dr. Michelle Collins

November 18, 2025
1-2:30 pm Eastern

Rev. Dr.  Michelle Collins is a Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) minister and has served a variety of congregations as an interim, contract, senior minister, associate minister, and briefly as a settled minister. She has extensive experience with Soul Matters curriculum development and regional UUA work. Her previous work experience includes being a hospital chaplain and an elementary school teacher. Michelle is committed to anti-oppression work, social justice and social action. She also has training in trauma response, grief recovery, conflict meditation, and serves on her denomination’s trauma response ministry and is a researcher for a monthly theme-based resource service.

SAYING GOODBYE TO YOUR CONGREGATION: WHAT TO EXPECT AND WHAT TO DO

Rabbi Dennis Ross, MSW

December 2, 2025
1-2:30 pm Eastern

Rabbi Dennis Ross, MSW, is a member of the IMN Faculty and has served on the IMN Board. His forthcoming book, Pastor to the Body of a Congregation: A Companion Guide for Congregational Clergy, will be released Spring, 2026. His most recent book, A Year with Martin Buber, was named a Top Ten Book of the Year by the Academy of Parish Clergy.