October 21, 2015
Calling the Call Committee! – Transition Update
Dear Members and Friends of CLC:
On behalf of Council, I am providing the following update on the transition process and next steps leading up to selection of the call committee.
Transition Team Work.
Over the past four months, the Transition Team has worked extensively on surveying and obtaining substantive feedback from the congregation, small groups, and staff to prepare the necessary paperwork (called the Ministry Site Profile) prior to the formation of the Call Committee. This Ministry Site Profile paperwork is used by the Synod to help identify potential pastor candidates that may be a good fit for CLC for the Call Committee to interview. A primary goal of the Transition work is to re-examine CLC from within to identify our strengths and areas for improvement in our ministries, administration, and outreach.
To ensure an accurate and thorough Ministry Site Profile, the Transition Team gathered extensive survey data from members and small groups, and worked comprehensively to evaluate and update CLC’s mission and vision statement, and to identify ministries and areas where we have the opportunity to improve and grow as a church and as a congregation. They have done a tremendous job.
On Sunday evening, October 18, the Transition Team and Council met so that the Transition Team could debrief Council on their work and findings. After that joint meeting, Council met separately that same night to work on finalizing plans based upon feedback from the Transition Team. We are ready to move forward.
Timeline and Next Steps. Here is an overview of key next steps and a timeline estimate. All dates are approximate, but Pastor Steve, the Transition Team, and Council are all committed to working as hard as we can to meet these target dates:
November 1 – Nominations period opens for Call Committee.
November 10 – Council finalizes Ministry Site Profile and related materials for submission to Synod.
November 14 – CLC Annual Member Meeting – Transition Team and Council to provide presentation on key findings and recommendations from the Transition Team’s work.
November 20 – Closing of nominations for Call Committee.
December 8 – Council meeting to select Call Committee.
December 12 – Announcement of Call Committee
Date TBD – Pastor Steve, Office of the Bishop, Council, and Transition Team meeting with Call Committee
Dates TBD – Synod to provide Pastoral Candidates, including Pastor D.J. if he is interested in submitting an application, for consideration (usually within 6 weeks of submission of Ministry Site Profile to Synod), and Call Committee begins application reviews and interviews.
Call Committee Nominations. If you are interested in being considered for appointment to the Call Committee, we will be providing forms to submit nominations starting on November 1. The nominations period will be open through November 20. More details will be provided in the CLC newsletter, via the Transition website, and at worship services.
Call Committee Parameters and Selection. It is a privilege and a holy responsibility to serve on a call committee. What are some of the commitments and guidelines for participation on such a committee? All who serve should be committed to:
1. Praying together and seeking God’s guidance;
2. Discussing and discerning frankly and collaboratively with one another;
3. Keeping in mind the wholeness of the congregation’s ministry, mission and vision, and not just one or two constituencies;
4. Being open to considering carefully all pastoral candidates; and,
5. Being conscious and supportive of the present and future mission priorities and needs of CLC.
In addition, Council’s goal in selecting the call committee is to ensure broad representation across the congregation, such as representation covering our different worship services on Saturday and Sunday, representation on behalf of various key groups, demographics, and ministries, such as our Youth, OWLs, and MOPS, as well as representation from newer members of the Congregation (e.g., members for 5 years or less), and more long-term members of the Congregation (e.g., members for10 years or more).
For continuity with the Transition, discernment, and learning process for the past 6 months, we will likely have a call committee member that has served on the Transition Team, as well as a Council representative (possibly as a non-voting observer to provide feedback and act as liaison with Pastor Steve, and Council).
Annual Meeting on November 14 – Please Attend! Council and the Transition Team will be presenting our findings, results, and recommendations of the Transition work at CLC’s annual congregation meeting scheduled for Saturday evening, November 14. Please plan to attend to learn more!
Please do not hesitate to contact me or a member of council if you have any questions or would like to discuss. My email address is bretsumner@hotmail.com – please put CLC in the subject line to ensure that I can find the message in my inbox.
Onward and Upward.
Sincerely, Yours in Christ,
–Bret Sumner
CLC Council President
–Bret Sumner
CLC Council President
Transition at CLC 