Pastoral Search Committee begins work

April 28, 2016 — Your Pastoral Search Committee met for the first time this week. Members are Pat Bohman, Mike Bradbury, Chuck Michaelson, Margot Olsen, Joe Vance, Carol Holm, Kari Willey and Jenica Domanico.

Pastor Anne led the group in getting to know one another and sharing their hopes and concerns about the search process. They explored some of the biblical grounding for their work, with a discussion of one of the Apostle Paul’s metaphors for the church,  the Body of Christ. Also discussed was the difference between a “hire” (Pastor Anne is hired by the Executive Board for a limited period) and a “call” (where a congregation votes on and extends a call to an open-ended partnership between themselves and a pastor). Unlike a hire in the business world, the biblical notion of covenant involves responsibilities, accountability and compassion between both parties.

The committee expressed eagerness to involve the congregation in exploring expectations of what a sole pastor would do here at Falcon Heights Church. In what ways do you expect the new pastor to lead you as you move forward the vision of being seekers and servants, growing in God’s transforming love?

The group is prayerfully considering who will be the chair (or co-chairs), recorders/secretaries, and chaplain for their work. The specific contents of their discussions, and the identifying details about candidates, needs to remain confidential. However, the group is eager to keep the congregation updated and involved in this important work. They ask for your ongoing prayers, as well as your participation in upcoming small group discussions.

–Rev. Anne Swallow Gillis