With the arrival of
September and the summer winding down, we continue our search for a new
pastor. For some of us it seems like such a long and concerning time since
Jeff left to become Bishop of the Greater Milwaukee Synod and Kathy accepted
a call in Twin Lakes. In fact, I’m sure there have been times when it seems
like we’ll never get through this uncertain period of transition. When will
it end and when will we get a new pastor? Those are hard questions to
answer and depend largely on how committed we are to the entire process.
This business of calling a new pastor is difficult at best and requires
whatever time is necessary to develop a meaningful MET report and then a
further commitment to be true to the recommendations of that report and not
rush through the process of matching a candidate to our vision just to make
us all feel comfortable again.
I believe we are a
congregation, no matter how uncomfortable we may become, that is willing to
make the sacrifice of time to enhance our chance of calling the right pastor
to help us move our vision forward.
The good news is we are
making progress. Actually, we are making great progress as we have now
completed the typically difficult and time consuming process of developing
the MET report. Our MET group sacrificed many long and difficult hours in
presenting our collective vision of where and how we want to direct our
ministries here at Holy Communion. The MET has given the Call Committee a
detailed blueprint to follow as they begin their critical task of finding
and recommending a new pastor to our ongregation.
Do we have a ways to go?
Probably! So, what are the next steps in the process?
First, and foremost, we
need to be sure we continue to provide pastoral leadership both at worship
and to individuals in need. I trust you have all received the letter I sent
a couple weeks ago that addresses those issues.
Secondly, we need to move
forward with the actual call process and we have. On August 8th,
we affirmed the members of the call committee and on August 26, they held
their first meeting with Pastor Chuck Brummond of the Synod to begin the
process of receiving names, determining the candidate visit and interview
process, conducting interviews and ultimately bring a candidate to the
congregation. Again, please understand this may take some time to ensure
the call committee is confident they present the person God requires this
congregation to have as its pastor. That is an awesome and daunting task
that requires much thought and prayer and, unfortunately, an appropriate
amount of time.
It would be nice to give
you a completion date or a commitment as to when a new pastor will be
called, but for obvious reasons, that cannot be done. I can however, urge
you to continue to be patient and offer the call committee your support and
prayers.
Trust in God as He
continues to work among us through the Holy Spirit.
John Schwengel
Council President
