The Next Step

Things are moving quickly now. Last night I went with the Call Committee chairperson and met with the church council members at a special meeting, during which they met me, the chair recommended me for the open call, and they asked a few questions of their own. It was a wonderful time of open conversation and dialogue, and I have learned some new things about this community that I didn't know before.

After the conversation the chair and I left and she was to call me today to let me know of the council's decision. I received that phone call this morning and am happy to say that the church council voted unanimously to put my name to the congregation for a vote. Yeah.

So now, all is not done yet...I will join the congregation for worship and a meet-n-greet on September 9th, and then on September 16th I will preach. Immediately following that worship service a congregational meeting will be held to vote on whether to call me as their pastor, and on my compensation package.

I am quite excited about this, and have learned a lot in this process. It hasn't been all smiles and giggles, but even amidst the straining and troubling parts I trusted that God was present and speaking to all of us. I pray that we will continue to be open to hearing God's will for my ministry, and the community with which I am in conversation with right now.