Identifies churches in the UK that wish to have help with pastoral ministry. AIPM also identifies Americans who are willing and qualified to serve as short-term Interim Ministers in the UK.

The application process for candidates with AIPM includes interviews, paperwork and a videotape of the candidate. Candidates for short-term pastor provide a videotape of a sermon and an interview with the candidate and spouse. Youth worker candidates generally only provide a videotape of an interview.

When the UK church is ready to select a candidate, copies of paperwork are sent by AIPM. The UK church makes a short list of those candidates they wish to consider further and notifies AIPM. AIPM contacts the persons on the short list to learn if they are available and willing to serve in the time frame under consideration. AIPM then sends the link to the interview videos for the church to view and make their final selection. The church notifies AIPM of their choice and AIPM notifies the candidates. AIPM does NOT select the candidates that are invited.

AIPM works with the UK church and the candidate in obtaining a certificate of sponsorship for doing “voluntary religious work” in the UK. When the certificate is issued, the candidate and spouse are able to apply for visas on-line. The application process requires a biometrics check (essentially electronic fingerprints). An appointment is made for the biometrics check and then paperwork in mailed to the British Consulate and the visa is issued. When the visa is in hand, the candidate can make airline reservations with arrival and departure date agreed with the UK church so representatives can meet the arriving volunteers at the airport.

The UK church will provide for short-term Interim Ministers a stipend to cover the assignment which is normally 25 weeks at 35 hours per week service.

Airline tickets, visa application fees, UK accommodations, local transportation, income taxes, conferences and a portion of legal fees.

Cultural differences exist between Great Britain and the USA and there are differences in the way church is done. Therefore, Chuck and Pat McComb like to have candidates visit them in their home for an orientation session before the first assignment in the UK.

More than 25 years of experience in short-term interim ministry has proven that much good for the kingdom of God can be done despite the brief assignments. Perhaps one explanation for this is that knowing time is very limited, AIPM Interim Ministers hit the ground running.