Divine Call to St. John's Lutheran Church in Lake City, MN -- What does it mean?

NOTE: This letter will be mailed out via snail mail to all members of Good Shepherd, recognizing that not everyone will find this on my blog.

Greetings in the name of our Savior!

Dear Members of Good Shepherd,

            I announced to the congregation after the services on Wednesday, March 11 and Sunday, March 15 that I have received a Divine Call on March 10 to serve as the pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lake City, Minnesota.  In addition, my wife, Laura, received a Divine Call to serve as the 4^th and 5^th grade teacher in St. John’s elementary school. 

            St. John’s has been vacant for almost two years.  It is a congregation of about 550 and has an elementary school (K-8) of almost 80 children, with an additional 26 in their pre-K program.  Lake City is a city of just over 5,000, located on the shore of the Mississippi River.

            Over the next few weeks, I will be contacting leaders at St. John’s to ask questions about their ministry, its challenges, and its potential.  I welcome members of Good Shepherd to share their concerns with me, as well as considering the challenges and potential of the congregation here.  I will not be making any decisions about this Divine Call until after Easter, and I will likely set deliberations aside during Holy Week.  I have not, however, set any deadline for myself.

            Since not everyone at Good Shepherd is familiar with our synod’s call system, I will address it here.  What does this Divine Call mean, and how does it work?

            There are currently about 160 pastoral vacancies in our synod.  When a congregation’s pastor vacates his position for any reason (accepts a new call, retires, dies, etc.), the vacant congregation arranges a local pastor to help cover the most essential duties for that congregation such as leading worship and attending Church Council meetings.  The congregation asks their district president for a list of pastors who are from our synod to ensure consistency in the doctrine that is taught and preached.  A list of three names is usually given.  The congregation has a brief description of the pastor, his family, his strengths, and his preferences, and selects from one of the three.  Then they extend a call to the pastor they have chosen.  In this way, the Holy Spirit works through the Church to call pastors to serve in a particular place.

            Once that call has been extended, the pastor has two calls—one to the congregation he had been serving, and one to the new place hoping to fill their vacancy.  The pastor, then, prayerfully deliberates where he may serve the Lord best in his Church.

            Laura has been called to be the 4-5 grade teacher in their elementary school.  The call system for teachers works similarly to that of pastors.  She has been told that she could decline her call and it would not prohibit me from accepting the call as pastor to St. John’s.

            The pastor’s decision is not based on where he will receive the best income and benefits.  The pastor’s decision is not based on which place has the prettier church or scenic views.  The pastor’s decision is not based on which congregation is bigger or deemed more glorious.  The decision is focused on where he may best serve the Lord in his Church.

            There are circumstances which must be taken into consideration.  In my case, does my continued care for cancer (although I am in remission) make a difference in where I live?  Do I have the energy to serve a congregation of that size with 45 shut-ins?  Do I have the temperament to deal with the challenges that lie ahead or the skill set to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves?  Can a pastor outlast his stay at one congregation?  Would having a new pastor give a congregation a shot of adrenaline?  These are issues I am sifting through in regard to both places.

Laura and I will be praying for St. John’s, for Good Shepherd, and for St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Livonia as we assess where we can serve the Lord best in his Church.  We thank you in advance for your prayers for us.

            God bless and keep you. 

In Christ,

Pastor Thomas E. Schroeder