Frank R. Fisher, Obl OSB
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. Currently I am the Interim Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Gibson City, 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.
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.
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, a 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.
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.
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 Sermon Videos page.
You can find videos of some of my most recent sermons on my Sermon Videos page.
I serve the wider church
I am currently a member of the Committee on Ministry of Blackhawk Presbytery.
I have served as a council member, of the Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists, the nationwide PC(USA) interim association. While on the council I served APIMS as Moderator, Vice-Moderator, and chair of the Scholarship Committee. I am currently a member of the committee.
I have also served as a member of the Ecumenical Relations committee of Blackhawk Presbytery.
I have served as a council member, of the Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists, the nationwide PC(USA) interim association. While on the council I served APIMS as Moderator, Vice-Moderator, and chair of the Scholarship Committee. I am currently a member of the committee.
I have also served as a member of the Ecumenical Relations committee of Blackhawk Presbytery.
