Call Process Booklet

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I. In Calling a Pastor, We Consider Our Own Calling, Part 1 Writing to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul encouraged believers there to consider their own call. As we begin our work as a Call Committee, we may consider the call we all have from God by exploring a few of the following scriptures: Acts 2:39, Ephesians 4:4–6, Colossians 3:15, I Timothy 6:12, 1 Peter 3.9 and 1 John 3:1 What a calling—to hope, peace, eternal life! In these verses, all of us are called children of God. Clearly, this is on account of God’s power and wisdom, not our own. This powerful call is the one that comes to all believers through God’s Word in Holy Baptism. That is why Martin Luther was bold to insist that “the ministry of the Word belongs to all.” And again, “There is no other Word of God than that which is given all Christians to proclaim” (from Luther’s Concerning the Ministry, 1523). Just as all Christians share the promise, so too do we share the task of proclamation. Most of us take up the task in the ministry of daily life. Others we ask to do so publicly for the community so faith can be created and sustained in us. So we see that in the economy of God’s grace the ministry of those called and ordained follows from the call which has come to all who believe. How do we sense God’s call most clearly? In which aspect of life do we find God’s Word (the promise, the hope, the peace) being “proclaimed” in the strongest way? The Bible even speaks of us as “holy partners in a heavenly calling” (Hebrews 3;1). What do you think that might mean for daily living? Gracious calling God, call on us with your grace again and again. Renew us daily in the peace, hope, and eternal life we have been promised and which we have been called to proclaim. As we work to call a pastor to our congregation may we count on the prayers of all members of this community of faith to uphold us, just as we trust your spirit to guide us. We remember God, you are the One who called us first. Amen Page 88 Walking together † for the sake of mission † in God’s world 944 24 ¼ Street • PO Box 107 • Chetek, WI 54728 • 715-859-6810 • Fax 715-859-6812 • www.nwswi.org
II. In Calling a Pastor, We Consider Our Own Calling, Part 2 God’s gracious giving extends to the church too. God has not been content to let the church fend for itself since Pentecost. On the contrary, the Holy Spirit still enlivens the community of faith. As Bishop, April Ulring Larson has said, “What God is interested in is empowering the body of Christ.” God has raised up leaders, gifted ministers and pastors for the church in all times and places. When the church has prayed, “Save and defend your whole Church, purchased with the precious blood of Christ. Give it pastors and ministers filled with your Spirit, and strengthen it through the Word and the holy sacraments,” God has answered. Listen to this wonderful scripture: II Peter 1:3–11. Would any of us, either as individual believers or as members together of a congregation, have any reason to question the truth of those verses? In fact, how have the promises offered there been answered and proved true in your experiences of the life of faith? In the life of our congregation? We overhear the prayer that scripture offers up for us in Ephesians 3:14–21. The One who has called us is also at work in us doing far more than we can ask or imagine. That’s an amazing thought! As we join in singing or saying ELW 858 (LWB 543), Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, focus on verse two and ask, What does that verse mean, promise, and say to us about God’s watch over us? Can we claim this hymn’s great promise even in calling a new pastor? Luther’s Small Catechism offers his explanation of the third and fourth petitions of the Lord’s Prayer saying: “God’s will is done when he strengthens our faith and keeps us firm in his Word as long as we live.” And, “Daily bread includes everything needed for this life, such as food and clothing, home and property, work and income, a devoted family, and orderly community, good government, favorable weather, peace and health, a good name, and true friends and neighbors.” We daily trust God’s good gifts for our faith and life. Such confidence also belongs to the faith and life of the whole church. Gracious giving God, give us your help again, just as you have always done. Remind us of your care. Let there be gratitude in our congregation, for all that is needful has been sent and ordained for us already. As we work to call a new pastor to our congregation may we be strengthened for this task with the thought that your providing reaches to every need of your church. This Call Committee and community of believers are your church too. Amen Walking together † for the sake of mission † in God’s world 944 24 ¼ Street • PO Box 107 • Chetek, WI 54728 • 715-859-6810 • Fax 715-859-6812 • www.nwswi.org Page 89
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Call Process Booklet
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God’s work. Our hands. Table of C
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Candidate Nomination Form Page 93
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Overview God’s work. Our hands. T
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Theological Background Adapted from
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Overview—Things To Do Congregatio
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Ending well Discovering God’s fut
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Suggested Prayers From ELW Evening
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Model Covenant for Congregations [C
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Model Covenant for Departing Family
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Bibliography Guiding Your Church St
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Bible Reading St. Paul’s letter t
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A Prayer for Beginnings Read throug
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Ending Well God’s work. Our hands
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Ending Well—Things To Do Congrega
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Words of Encouragement “Ending we
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God’s work. Our hands. Walking to
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Suggested Prayers For Guidance: Dir
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A local leader or a member of synod
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6. List the congregation’s greate
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7. Have you made sure that all cong
Page 43 and 44: Certification of Completion of Fina
Page 45 and 46: Pension and Other Benefits Workshee
Page 47 and 48: this will be with the concurrence o
Page 49 and 50: Together the congregation and Inter
Page 51 and 52: H. Reimburse expenses related to ou
Page 53 and 54: A Sample Message for the Congregati
Page 55 and 56: The Interim God’s work. Our hands
Page 57 and 58: • The congregation president and
Page 59 and 60: Why Can’t We Call Our Interim Pas
Page 61 and 62: Ministry and Programs • Describe
Page 63 and 64: Calling an Associate/Assistant to S
Page 65 and 66: isk to the congregation is possible
Page 67 and 68: Using the Mobility Database System
Page 69 and 70: Some Tips on Filling Out the MSP
Page 71 and 72: Moving from Reflection to Engagemen
Page 73 and 74: Preparing for the Interview Advance
Page 75 and 76: Discipleship • What type of plan
Page 77 and 78: The Interim—Things To Do Congrega
Page 79 and 80: Words of Encouragement The interim
Page 81 and 82: Suggested Prayers Enlightenment of
Page 83 and 84: The minister questions the interim
Page 85 and 86: AFor all who fear God and believe i
Page 87 and 88: 3. Together we will develop a visio
Page 89 and 90: Congregation Quarterly Report of th
Page 91 and 92: 7. Together we will be involved in
Page 93: Call Committee Devotions These devo
Page 97 and 98: IV. In Calling a Pastor, We Conside
Page 99 and 100: Candidate Nomination Form The task
Page 101 and 102: Call Committee Report of Interview
Page 103 and 104: Sample Letter Following Candidate I
Page 105 and 106: Sample Congregational Meeting Agend
Page 107 and 108: Report of the Vote to Extend a Lett
Page 109 and 110: Sample Letter Following a Successfu
Page 111 and 112: Walking together † for the sake o
Page 113 and 114: Beginning Strong God’s work. Our
Page 115 and 116: Disengagement from the Interim Peri
Page 117 and 118: - the installation will be done at
Page 119 and 120: If you are not able to schedule the
Page 121 and 122: Words of Encouragement The beginnin
Page 123 and 124: Suggested Prayers The church: Graci
Page 125 and 126: A Litany of Farewell for the Interi
Page 127 and 128: Sample Installation Invitation to C
Page 129 and 130: P Will you give faithful witness in
Page 131 and 132: Presentation of the Symbols As a hy
Page 133 and 134: Appendix A God’s work. Our hands.
Page 135 and 136: Identifying Broken Things Ministry
Page 137 and 138: 2. a new database to house informat
Page 139 and 140: from the Ministry Site Profiles tha
Page 141 and 142: God’s work. Our hands. Shalom •
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Call Process Booklet

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