Events - First Congregational Church | Congregational Church in Loveland, CO

The Executive Board is excited to announce the hiring of two “interim” ministers; a Bridge Minister and a Designated-Term Minister. Rev Loren Richmond will serve as Bridge Minister for the months of June and July. Rev Sarah Linn will be our Designated-Term Minister starting in August and will serve until we have a Called Minister.

Bridge Minister
The goal of a bridge pastorate is to focus on the maintenance of regular worship and pastoral care.

Role and Purpose

A bridge minister may step in to fill gaps in pastoral care, cover for an absent pastor, or assist during a sabbatical.

Their work often includes mentoring the congregation, addressing pastoral care concerns, and helping the church prepare for the next settled leader.

Unlike a settled pastor, a bridge minister serves for a temporary period, sometimes as short as a few weeks.

They help maintain stability, continuity of care, and spiritual life during leadership transitions.

Rev. Loren Richmond, Bridge Minister

I am affirming that I believe in the ekklesia, the gathered community of believers. I believe that when individual Christians gather together in community, something

amazing happens in that we become the body of Christ, the church.

I am a servant leader with a calm, focused, credible demeanor that empowers staff.

More and more I am seeing the necessity of leadership in the church, leaders who will demonstrate a passionate faith, a vision of the future, and a way forward. The unique thing about leadership is that we can all be leaders by being true to ourselves and the gifts and calling God has given us.

As a former church planter, I have spent the last several years learning and studying outreach and evangelism programs and practices used by churches and leaders across America, understanding and appreciating the common characteristics of new and renewing churches.

Designated-Term Minister

The goal of a designated-term pastorate is to work toward the church’s declared purpose for a specific time period, with specific tasks that prepare the congregation for its next settled pastor.

Role and Purpose:

Provide stable, long-term pastoral leadership during a transitional period.

Guides the congregation to work through challenges, heal relationships, and prepare for a settled pastor.

Can be called as a settled pastor if both parties agree.

Rev. Dr. Sarah B. Linn, Designated-Term Minister
Sarah Linn comes to us with nearly 40 years of experience in a wide range of ministry
settings in the US and around the world. She holds several degrees, including an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary. In her Doctor of Ministry program, she specialized in Improvisational Leadership. Her doctoral project focused on non-coercive community engagement.

Sarah was ordained by the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2013 and is now an authorized minister in the United Church of Christ. Sarah enjoys walking/hiking, “puppy time” with anyone’s dogs, and does miniature watercolor paintings as a spiritual practice.

Sarah adds, “I love seeing people in their element and finding connections between our gifts and the needs around us. Growing together in Christ – in faith, humility, wisdom, and courage – is hard and holy work. It is also among the greatest joys.”.