The Call Process

This is long overdue...

I've been assigned to the Northwest Minnesota Synod, which is my home Synod! Mike and I are thrilled to be going back to familiar territory. It will be nice to be among colleagues I had when I was in Youth Ministry. We are feeling blessed and optimistic!

On April 5th Mike and I met with the Synod Staff in Alexandria, MN. It was an excellent day. We found out more about the Call Process and what to expect as we move forward. We also had an excellent meeting with the Bishop and got some ideas about possible churches. The good news is that there are many good possibilities and I would be blessed to serve any of them.

Now we wait!

We will receive paperwork on churches and they will receive mine. If the Call Committee from a given church is interested they will be in contact to schedule an interview (or more than one). If and when a Call Committee feels like they want to offer a call they schedule a Congregational Meeting (they have to announce it two consecutive Sundays before they can vote). Then if the congregation agrees with the Call Committee's recommendation I'll receive a Letter of Call and we have to decide if we want to accept (I have 30 days). Sounds time consuming, huh?

The only part of this process I am struggling with is the waiting. I love to plan ahead and that's just not possible with so many variables. So for now we're staying in Dubuque indefinitely and I'm getting a summer job, just in case. We can stay on campus until at least July 15th. Hopefully by then we will be further along in the process. I am confident that God is at work preparing a place for us. I may need to continue reminding myself of that.

In the meantime there is a lot to keep me busy. Final papers and projects (due by the end of April), Graduation on May 15th, a summer full of work and travel and fun! If that weren't enough there's always packing and sorting that can be done because someday soon we will be moving back to Minnesota!