The Rev. Lou Paradise has been a minister at half a dozen churches in the Central Valley in the last 10 years.

But it's not because he can't keep a job or decide which faith he prefers.

Paradise is an interim minister for churches that are looking for a new pastor.

Right now, Paradise is filling the pulpit at the Lemoore Presbyterian Church. Paradise, 60, said he was fortunate to have already met a lot of the congregation.

"I think I have an advantage; I think I'm accepted a little faster," Paradise said.

For 17 years Paradise served as the pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Coalinga. After the 1983 earthquake, members of various Valley Presbyterian congregations went to Coalinga to help repair the $10,000 in damage to the church.

Paradise has known the Lemoore Presbyterian congregation as a whole, which has fewer than 100 members by his count, for just a few months.

On Nov. 1, Paradise delivered his first sermon there.

"I think we had a good Sunday," Paradise said. "It went well."

The church was in the news when former member Debbie Hawk disappeared in June 2006, and her ex-husband, Dave, also a church member, was considered a person of interest by police and later charged in the killing. Former minister Rev. Sandy Brown had stood by Dave Hawk when police searched the church and its computer files as part of the murder investigation.

In August, Dave Hawk was convicted of the murder of his wife for financial gain.

Brown was minister at the church for 15 years. It was Brown's recent retirement that prompted the search for a new minister and the need for Paradise's service.

Paradise said he was unaware of any negative impact the case had on the church.

Before Paradise decided to become a pastor -- 32 years ago -- he was on track to become an entertainer. Paradise was drawn away from the spotlight by a teenager's impromptu gift of thanks for the volunteer work Paradise was doing for his church.

That word of thanks Paradise received inspired him to put down his guitar and serve the Lord.

Paradise's goal for the Lemoore Presbyterian Church is to create a platform that the new pastor can come in on. He hopes a new pastor can be installed around this time next year. Historically, new pastor searches have taken as little as 10 months to as long as two years.

Paradise is not looking to change thecongregation, but he does want to help them see things in a new way. Paradise said he is enjoying the opportunity to be very frank.

"I have nothing to lose," he said. "They can't fire me."

Part of the job of finding a new pastor is taking a critical look at the church's needs, as well as the needs of the community.

When potential pastors are chosen, a pastor-nominating committee decides which one best meets the church's needs and wants.

Jim Clark, the current clerk of session, has been a leader in the church for 25 years.

"I've known Lou for years," Clark said. "He's great."

Clark, 71, said it would please him greatly to see a new pastor installed within a year.

Clark is looking forward to seeing what fresh ideas a new pastor will bring. He said that in the past, changing pastors has always been beneficial to the church.

Virginia Lee, 81, has been with the church through five installed pastors.

Lee was out of town when Paradise delivered his first sermon but said, "I've heard him preach; he's always good."

Lee too is excited about the search for a new pastor.

"I would like to see an energetic man or woman who could stimulate creative thinking and serving of the Lord," Lee said. "If you're going to live for 80 years you got to go with the change. You can't be stuck in the mud forever."

(Nov. 14, 2009)