Frank R. Fisher, Obl OSB

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I am an Interim Pastor Specialist in the Presbyterian Church (USA)

"Our minister is leaving! Now what do we do?" If those words are on your lips these days, you need to talk to someone like me. I am an interim pastor specialist. That means I pastor congregations in the between times; the times when no called pastor is present. I work with congregations to help them come to terms with their past, to find direction for their future, to find and reduce sources of conflict, to renew their connections with their denomination, to discover new congregational leaders, and to find directions for their future. As of March 1, 2009 I will the Interim Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Kewanee, IL, and Elmira United Presbyterian Church in Toulon, IL.

If you are looking for an interim pastor, I urge you to ask your judiciary to check out the availability list of the Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists. You can find a link to APIMS, and links to information about interim pastors, on my links page. If you are wondering why you should hire an interim pastor, please download the report on interim effectiveness on my files page.

There is one quick note about this website. Yes, there are ads, and there is even a Book Store. Because this site is not intended to be a money making venture, any revenue, above the very minimal expenses for maintaining the site, will be donated to the congregation I am currently serving, and to my spiritual home, St. Benedict's Abbey in Bartonville, Illinois.

I am a Benedictine Oblate

"Are you really a monk?" I hear those words a lot in the congregations I serve. The answer is "no." I am an Oblate of the ecumenical Abbey of St. John the Baptist and St. Benedict in Bartonville, Illinois. As a Benedictine Oblate, I have promised to follow the Rule of Saint Benedict, and to obey the authority of my Abbot, up to the point my position in life allows. As a Benedictine, I follow a path that among other things, emphasizes prayer, worship, work, hospitality, and a process of constant conversion. As a part of this particular abbey I am committed to the work of Christian unity. St. Benedict's rule predates the divisions of western Christianity. It is our hope, and prayer that in Benedict's rule written for beginners in the faith, all our divisions may cease and Christ's people may be one.

In my abbey, I am known as Brother Oscar Romero. San Romero was a Bishop in El Salvador who was martyred because he stood up against human rights abuses. As you might suspect from the name, I am committed to the work of Christ's church with all of Christ's people.

You can find more information about the abbey, about Oblates, about the Rule of Saint Benedict, and about San Oscar Romero, on my links page. You can also find more information about my abbey, and Benedict's rule, on my Benedictine Blog. You can hear the stories of other Oblates on my Oblate Stories , and my Oblation page.

I am a story telling preacher

Most congregations find my preaching style to be quite different from what they have been used to hearing. In my sermons, I theatrically tell stories. As Jesus taught in parables, my preaching style aims toward proclaiming Christ's word in the same fashion. Some of my sermons have been published. Many of them have been preached by other pastors across the United States, and in Canada, England, and Australia. An associate executive presbyter once referred to my preaching style as one "showing the heart and mind of a transformational pastor."

You can find videos of some of my most recent sermons on my Worship and Sermons page.

I serve the wider church

I am a council member, of the Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists, the nationwide PC(USA) interim association. I have served APIMS as Moderator, Vice-Moderator, and chair of the scholarship committee.

I am also currently a member of the Committee on Ministry of Blackhawk Presbytery. I have also served as a member of the Ecumenical Relations committee of Blackhawk Presbytery