tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post3556678923478852242..comments2024-03-29T04:31:15.219-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: Who Owns the Roster?Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-51031530334765501772010-11-09T08:09:47.314-06:002010-11-09T08:09:47.314-06:00I regret if I have miss characterized the ELCA cal...I regret if I have miss characterized the ELCA call process and am sure it varies but I have friends in the ELCA throughout the US and my words were based on conversations from throughout the East Cost to the West Coast.Pastor Petershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-63568847043135832762010-11-08T08:24:48.737-06:002010-11-08T08:24:48.737-06:00As a former circuit counselor I can tell you that ...As a former circuit counselor I can tell you that sometimes the 'auditions' happen unbeknownst to the pastor of interest on the call list. Despite admonitions against doing so, occasionally members of the call committee will make a pilgrimage to the congregation of their prospective new pastor incognito. It is very important for a congregation to have wise counsel concerning the pastor's they call. Sometimes what they want isn't really what the need. For example, they may have wonderful pastor that they love and appreciate, but as they attempt to call an associate pastor, they make the mistake of looking for someone who is exactly like their current pastor rather than someone who will compliment his talents (and weaknesses).Rev. Allen Bergstrazernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-50513467494524037272010-11-05T22:20:25.280-05:002010-11-05T22:20:25.280-05:00Anonymous Comment #1
The bad habits described are ...Anonymous Comment #1<br />The bad habits described are now<br />happening in the Lower Susquehanna<br />Synod in Pennsylvania and the Metro<br />Washington D.C. Synod. Those are the<br />only two ELCA Synods I am privy to.<br />But it has been explained to me that<br />is standard procedure on the East<br />Coast. I strongly feel it is wrong<br />to demean the Office of the Holy<br />Ministry in this manner.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-19076942224702103652010-11-05T21:20:31.919-05:002010-11-05T21:20:31.919-05:00The process you've described is completely unf...The process you've described is completely unfamiliar to my 21 years of experience as an ELCA pastor, though I'm not about to claim my experience is universal.<br /><br />In the synods in which I have served, congregations receive a number of names for potential candidates, perhaps three to five. Those congregations may, or may not, chose to interview any of them. And, following the interview and prayerful consideration, are under no compulsion to call any of them.<br /><br />Likewise, pastors are under no obligation to say yes if a call is extended from a place that they have interviewed but have 30 days for prayer and discernment with the rare possibility of an extension for additional time.<br /><br />In the last decade, congregations have also had more freedom to ask bishops for the names of specific pastors to be candidates. Also, a pastor will sometimes suggest to a bishop that his name be submitted to a particular congregation for an interview.<br /><br />Early in the comments section, Anonymous says, "The current ELCA also has the bad habit of making prospective pastors preach an auditioning sermon at a neutral parish." I've heard that happens but I couldn't tell you what synod might do that (and, given my synodical role in working with pastors, have never known a pastor to go through such an "audition"). It's clearly not a whole ELCA practice. <br /><br />The call process has variations from synod to synod. So what you, and others, have described may actually exist somewhere. <br /><br />One thing that does seem universal throughout the ELCA at the moment.... the call process is exceedingly slow right now.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15367794476576131453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-64639024272841981432010-11-05T20:33:14.281-05:002010-11-05T20:33:14.281-05:00Do congregations have to go through this process? ...Do congregations have to go through this process? Is it mandated?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-19019570141229806832010-11-05T09:26:42.955-05:002010-11-05T09:26:42.955-05:00The "business world" interview of
prospe...The "business world" interview of<br />prospective pastors on a call list<br />not only downgrades the role of the<br />Holy Spirit, but invites both the<br />call committee and potential pastor<br />to "sell themselves" like someone on<br />a first date. The current ELCA also<br />has the bad habit of making<br />prospective pastors preach aa<br />auditioning sermon at a neutral <br />parish for the call committee. Then<br />a month later another auditioning<br />sermon is preached in the calling<br />parish. On the very same day as the trial sermon the congregation<br />is asked to vote to call or not to<br />call. This is a flagrant abuse<br />of the "divine" call process and<br />makes "human" impressions supreme.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com