About Our Father's Call Process

Pastor Aaron Fuller’s call confirmed by congregation
On October 4, members of our congregation voted to affirm Pastor Aaron Fuller’s solo, full-time call to OFLC. One-hundred and thirteen people voted with 96 voting to affirm the call, 16 voting against and 1 choosing to abstain. This kind of voter turnout--in a pandemic, no less--demonstrates our church’s commitment to our congregation and community. A sincere thank you to all who took the time to participate. And of course, thanks be to God for guiding OFLC into it's next chapter with Pastor Aaron! 

---

Call process FAQs

A compilation of the questions most commonly asked about our call process have been recorded for your convenience. Download the FAQ here. 

A letter to OFLC from Pastor Craig Pederson, Assistant to the Bishop

I write to you at this important moment in the life of your congregation as you prepare to welcome a new pastor to Our Father’s. What I want you to know is that Bishop Ann Svennungsen and I have been inspired and impressed by the faithfulness and perseverance of your congregation’s leadership. As we closely accompanied them throughout this process, there were times when the way forward was not entirely clear...Read on for Pr. Craig's complete letter, written on Sept. 22, 2020

Synod guidance

The Minneapolis Synod of the ELCA provides extensive guidance on how to proceed through a call process. Our Father's worked closely with Pastor Craig Pederson, Assistant to the Bishop, to conduct the process with faith and integrity. To learn more about ELCA call process procedures, check out the In-Between Time Checklist.

Get involved 

Here's how you can impact the outcome of the call process: 

• Pray for God's guidance as you learn and discern Download a prayer & meditation guide to help you get grounded before voting day​
• Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 4
  when the congregation will vote to affirm or deny Council's and Call Team's recommended candidate. Read more about how we're conducting a safe, socially-distant vote. 

Call process presentations now available on YouTube 

• Watch an updated Zoom presentation from Sept. 22 providing clarity about Cathy's participation as an internal candidate, have a better idea of the next steps in the process and see the potential outcomes of the Oct. 4 vote.
  
• Watch a Zoom presentation from Sept. 13 to learn about the discernment and consideration that took place in order to identify the best candidate according to what our congregation wants in a pastor.

Conclusion affirmed

After months of spirit-led discernment, prayer and deep consideration, the Call Committee recommended Pastor Aaron Fuller. Council was presented with details about the process and the chosen candidate. Council then voted to affirm the Call Team's recommendation. Read the official announcement and visit our YouTube channel to watch a congregational meeting where the process and candidate were justified.