The Call Process Update

I have talked with many people about the call process, and how it differs from hiring someone to fill a position in a company. First of all, it is important to remember this is a call to ministry, not simply a hiring of an employee. Time for discernment and prayer are vital in the process. Also, there is preparation that needs to happen on both sides of the call.

First the church needs to form a call committee. There is paperwork that is required to be filled out. The committee needs to make plans for the interviews and for the time the candidate will be visiting the church and the committee.

The candidate also needs to fill out paperwork. If the candidate is in seminary, this is done during his/her final year of classes. The candidate is assigned to a synod, and then is contacted by the synod office about possible churches that might be a good fit. The candidate is given an opportunity to review the church's paperwork and decide if he/she wants to move forward with this church. If the answer is yes, then that candidate's paperwork is sent to the call committee. Well, actually, it first comes to me for my review.

If the candidate is currently serving a congregation, he/she fills out the paperwork, and then informs the bishop of the desire to be considered for a call. If the candidate wishes to be considered in a different synod then currently serving, the bishop needs to sign off on that to allow the paperwork to be shared with another synod. The next steps are similar to the seminary candidate above.

So where are we in the process? Many names have been suggested, and many people have been contacted to ask if they might consider being considered. Several have said, “Thanks, but no thanks - not at this time.” We are still open to any names people want to lift up - sometimes it takes a little nudge to get the person to consider the possibility.

We have started interviewing candidates, and the call committee is representing us well. I am excited to meet with these candidates and share the Epiphany story and hope for the future. I know that God has someone in store for us to serve as Associate Pastor. In God's time, it will happen.

So I ask for your prayers for the call committee, the candidates and for Epiphany Lutheran Church. May God bless our efforts, and may we follow where God leads. If you have any questions along the way, please let me know.

Peace,

Pastor Charlie