Our Father's Lutheran has been in a time of pastoral transition since summer 2018. During this "in-between" time, countless prayers, conversations, and collaborations have taken place to move our church into the future. This section of the website is dedicated to providing clarity about the transition. Please visit often to learn more about the call process, and the possibilities that lie ahead for our church family. God bless!
Greetings from Bishop Ann Svennungsen
Excerpted from The In-Between Time Checklist
Dear Friends in Christ,
If you are reading this letter, it probably means your congregation is entering a time of transition. Though Ecclesiastes is clear there is "a time for every season under heaven," we are not assured every season is easy. You and your congregation are probably feeling many different emotions. I pray you will take time to recognize these feelings--gratitude, grief, wonderment, loss, new energy for the future.
I also pray that this will be a fertile time for your congregation to reflect, learn, and grow. You will invite members to assume new leadership roles on the call committee and other transition work. You will give thanks for this last chapter in your congregation's life and explore together where God is calling you.
This is also a time for deep listening: To God, through scripture and prayer; to one another in your household of faith; and to the people in the community where you're planted.
We recognize that every congregation is a unique community of faith serving a distinct neighborhood. In this time of transition, we pray that you will take the time necessary to look out and study the community you are called to serve, to identify your strengths in ministry, and to examine opportunities to grow.
We pray for bold faithfulness to follow the Spirit's leading as you look to the future in the calling of a new pastor.
I am thankful for our partnership in ministry and pray that God will bless and guide you in the days ahead.
In Christ,
Dear Friends in Christ,
If you are reading this letter, it probably means your congregation is entering a time of transition. Though Ecclesiastes is clear there is "a time for every season under heaven," we are not assured every season is easy. You and your congregation are probably feeling many different emotions. I pray you will take time to recognize these feelings--gratitude, grief, wonderment, loss, new energy for the future.
I also pray that this will be a fertile time for your congregation to reflect, learn, and grow. You will invite members to assume new leadership roles on the call committee and other transition work. You will give thanks for this last chapter in your congregation's life and explore together where God is calling you.
This is also a time for deep listening: To God, through scripture and prayer; to one another in your household of faith; and to the people in the community where you're planted.
We recognize that every congregation is a unique community of faith serving a distinct neighborhood. In this time of transition, we pray that you will take the time necessary to look out and study the community you are called to serve, to identify your strengths in ministry, and to examine opportunities to grow.
We pray for bold faithfulness to follow the Spirit's leading as you look to the future in the calling of a new pastor.
I am thankful for our partnership in ministry and pray that God will bless and guide you in the days ahead.
In Christ,
