First Response Interim Ministry (FRIM) is a new specialty in transition ministry for those trained interim ministers who respond quickly to a congregation which has  lost its pastor to death, debilitating illness, or presbytery removal.

The training will be based on data gathered from presbytery and congregational leaders who have worked with such situations.  The core content of the course will be shared trauma and grief, group strategies for healing, particularities in congregational life, and self-care of the responder.  

Participants in this first-ever offering will help design a response system to serve the denomination. 

Required for enrollment will be completion of Interim Ministry Basic Education Weeks One and Two, past or current service in transitional ministry, and signed approval and specific recommendation of one’s presbytery.

 The Rev. Edie Gause is an originator of the FRIM concept and currently is conducting research among congregations, presbyteries, and interims who have served in such situations.  She has over twenty years of experience in interim ministries in congregations and governing bodies, some of which has included sudden loss of pastoral leadership.  Her DMin, focusing on the preparation of First Responders, is near completion.  She is in post-retirement service part-time with a congregation in Southern California.

 The Rev. Andrew Short is currently serving as a First Response Interim Minister in Southern California, figuring it out as he ministers.  He has served a variety of congregations in transition and as an assistant professor of psychology.  His DMin at Louisville is focused on nature of FRIM ministry.

Inquiries about the course may be directed to either leader: 
 momgause@mac.com  (626-321-6305) or   andrew-short@sbcglobal.net (626-688-5940).