Transition Team Update on Call Process for New Senior Pastor
March 13, 2007
The Church Council made a commitment to the members of POP to keep them informed on the latest developments regarding the transition process for calling a new Senior Pastor. The Transition Team will be providing the latest news through these announcements in the Faith Works.
1. While we had hoped that the Intentional Interim Pastor would be identified and begin his or her work shortly after the retirement of Pastor Chuck, that obviously has not occurred. Bishop Jerge has informed us that she is continuing to seek out the “right person” for this assignment and is not limiting her search merely to pastors within our Synod. She is unable, however, to give us a specific date as when that “right person” will become available. She continues to be optimistic that it will “not be long.”
2. During this time, the Deacons and Pastor Jake have worked out a temporary plan (through Easter) for pastor coverage. It works as follows:
· Pastor Jake has planned Sunday morning worship during Lent and into Easter, a responsibility traditionally taken on by the senior pastor.
· Pastor Jake is leading worship on Sunday morning more often. (His contract is to lead Spirit Café worship and preach once a month at Sunday morning worship.)
· Pastor Jake’s commitment to Confirmation is lifted for much of Lent because Confirmation meetings are replaced by the Lenten Supper program during Lent and the Deacons are quite active in these programs. This frees some of his time to plan and preach for Sunday mornings.
· Deacons are covering more pastoral care and sharing this role with Pastor Jake.
3. The one very good news item that we can report is that Bishop Jerge has agreed to serve as our primary liaison and coordinator with the Synod office during the entire search process. The usual procedure followed when pastor openings occur at a church is that one of the Assistants to the Bishop would assume the role of Synodical liaison and coordinator. Due to the Bishop’s eager desire to help us continue to have a strong and vibrant congregation, she feels that her direct involvement in the search and call process is very important. She will be spending time with the Council at their annual retreat in March, working on better understanding the needs and culture of Prince of Peace. This is a most appreciated (and unusual) time commitment from a Bishop toward the call process for an individual church.
4. Bishop Jerge has asked that all direct communication with her be limited, at this time, to the president of the Church Council (Mary Sheldon Rogers) and the chair of the Transition Team (Don Arnold). If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to one of these two individuals.
