HOLDING OURSELVES AND OUR LEADERS TO TASK

Rabbi Dennis Ross, MSW

January 15, 2026
1-2:30 pm Eastern

The excitement and energy of the initial interim phase often wanes as the months roll by, making it a challenge to hold to focus, sustain momentum, and achieve goals. This interactive workshop will turn to the Social Work skills of Holding to Task to offer practical and immediately applicable ways to keep work on track.

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. 

A Lenten Discipline of Self-Care: Blessed to be a Blessing

The Rev. Dr. John D. Stonesifer

February 10, 2026
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.

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

The Rev. Dr. William Carl Thomas

March 12, 2026
1-2:30 pm Eastern

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

Rabbi Dennis Ross, MSW

April 14, 2026
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. 

Stories and Lessons of Transitional Leadership Part 1: “Entering With Curiosity”

The Rev. Dr. Keith Copeland

2026
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.

Dr. Keith Copeland was born in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.A. in Finance. After graduating from college he worked in management with Eckerd Drugs before answering the call to ministry. He graduated from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 1992 and has served three congregations as the settled pastor and 15 congregations as interim in three different denominations. Trained as an interim pastor in the Presbyterian Church, he received his D Min from Hood Theological Seminary with special focus on church renewal. Since then, he has been developing processes and tools for congregational renewal during times of transition between an installed pastor. Dr. Copeland has the Professional Transition Specialist designation and is a Faculty Apprentice with IMN. Currently he serves as Transitional Senior Pastor of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Southern Pines, NC.  Keith is active on several IMN teams and projects including as Faculty. He is also the Board Chair of the ELCA’s Interim Ministry Association.

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.