I hope by now you have heard the good news that Faith Lutheran’s call committee has recommended extending a letter of call to Dave Wollan to serve as a pastor here. Dave will soon complete his seminary studies and be ordained, but his gifts for ministry have been evident through all the time he has served here. Because of that, the church has authorized him to preach, teach and administer the sacraments for several years already. If he is called, he would move into this position both as an experienced pastor and a newly-minted one, all at once!
A letter of call can only be issued by congregational vote at a special meeting held for that purpose. The church council has set that meeting for September 15 at 11:30 am. All confirmed members of Faith Lutheran are welcome to vote. There is no age requirement. I encourage all the members of Faith to attend in order to learn the process that the call committee followed, to understand the basis of their recommendation and to join in this important decision for the ministry of Faith Lutheran.
At this point, I want to address just one concern that many people have mentioned to me. Assuming the congregation votes to call Dave as pastor, he does not intend to move entirely out of youth ministry. He wants to maintain a presence there, mentor a new Director of Youth and Family Ministry and help sustain one of the crown jewels of Faith’s ministry.
This is an exciting, hopeful time in the life of Faith Lutheran! Please continue to pray for the call process, for Dave and his family as they discern God’s call to them, for the rest of Faith’s staff and all the members of this family of Faith. God has blessed this church so richly and we look forward to this new era in our ministry with hope and confidence that God will continue to grace us with the gifts we need to carry out this mission He has entrusted to us.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Scott Grorud
