Dear friends in Christ at Peace and Grue,
A wise retired pastor, on his deathbed, handed me a small slip of paper and said, “You are going to preach my funeral, and this is what you’re going to work with: ”So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say. ‘We are worthless servants; we have only done what we ought to have done!’” (Luke 17:10). Not my first choice, but it stuck with me and overtime has become a cherished memory, proving once again how wise he was.
Thank you for giving me the privilege of being your servant these past five years, the last years before my retirement. It was a privilege because of what the Apostle Peter wrote: “...you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. God’s own people...” (1 Peter 2:9). I hope you will keep these two passage in mind as you enter into what is an important, exciting time in the life of a congregation: preparing to call your next pastor.
An important partner in this process is your interim pastor. The ministry of an interim pastor has at least two areas of focus. The first and the most obvious duty of the interim pastor is to cover the responsibilities which normally fall to the pastor; including leading worship, preaching, teaching, providing pastoral care, visiting shut-ins, making hospital calls, administration, meetings, etc.
The second focus is more subtle. The interim pastor, without involving his/her own personality, helps the congregation work through the call process. To prepare for calling a new pastor, the congregation, with the interim pastor’s guidance, undertakes a ministry study. This study encourages members of the congregation to develop a vision for the ministry of the congregation for the next several years. This vision discerns what God is calling a congregation to do at this time and in this place and to commit to that call, not the call they wish they had.
This study will be used to complete the Ministry Site Profile (MSP). The purpose of the MSP is to review the congregation’s life and mission as the body of Christ and to identify the gifts the next pastor needs to possess to further that mission. The MSP, representing the thinking of the congregation, will assist the call committee as they meet and consider candidates. It will be used by those candidates as a way of getting an overall picture of the congregation. It will be used by the synod staff as they deliberate before recommending a candidate to be considered. And it can be used by the congregation as they decide to vote to call the candidate to serve as their next pastor.
As you can see the MSP plays an important part in the call process. My advice is to take this step seriously. My experience is that congregations who commit to this process are pleased with the results and actually once it is up and running find it to be an enjoyable experience. I know the call process can be an anxious time in the life of a congregation. Be assured you are in my thoughts and prayers, as I hope Sharon and I are in yours. You have been a blessing to us, I am confident you will continue to be a blessing to others; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Farewell and Godspeed from your now retired pastor,
Pastor Dan