Dear Members of Good Shepherd
At the end of this month (July), the congregation will meet to call a pastor for our congregation. The call meeting is scheduled for Sunday, July 26. Please mark your calendars!
You should have received some information about the candidates who have nominated for our consideration. A short biography, some additional background information and other pertinent statistics have been provided by the district president. The call committee continues to meet with our circuit visitor so that everything will be ready and in good order for that meeting.
As the congregation deliberates the candidates during this process it will be well if you also took your thoughts to the Lord in prayer. the Lord God Almighty already knows who needs to be the next pastor at Good Shepherd. He has determined the right age experience, character, preaching and teaching abilities, and all that will be needed for the flock here for the years to come. Pray that His will be done.
When a pastor is called, you should know that at that point the man called will have two calls to consider, a call to a new congregation and also the call which he already has at his present church. That deliberation may be difficult and may take some time. We need to be patient.
During the early days of my ministry, I received calls to serve the Lord in congregations in new and often seemingly challenging places. Another pastor advised me to remember each congregation will be a challenge!
May the Lord bless His Kingdom here at Good Shepherd and throughout our beloved synod in all the days ahead.
In Christ
Rev. James Stuenkel