Call Committee
According to Creator’s constitution there will be six people on the Call Committee. While there may be wisdom in having one member from the Transition Team continue onto the Call Committee, this has not been decided. The nominating committee is gathering names. You are also encouraged to volunteer or recommend someone. We hope to have Call Committee in place by early November.
To help explain aspects of the Call Committee and give more information for those considering this important role, portions of the Oregon
Synod Transitions Manual have been highlighted here:
The purpose of the Call Committee is to identify the candidate who is best suited to accompany the congregation into God’s future. The Call Committee builds on the work of the Transition Team. The work of the committee must be done prayerfully, and the people on the committee must be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit. The Call Committee is not looking for the “best and brightest” candidate; rather, they are looking for the “right” candidate for this particular congregation.
Sometimes, members of a Call Committee come with a predetermined mindset about the next minister. It is important for the committee as a whole to understand that each individual has a bias, and to challenge each member to see beyond their own unique wants toward the greater good of the whole. Encourage one another to open hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit moving within the Call Committee for the sake of the congregation’s mission and vision.
The committee should reflect the diversity of the congregation. Pay attention to age, gender, length of time is a member, levels of involvement, and attendance at worship. The number of council members on the committee should be limited and the president of the council is not an automatic member. Be discerning about
the diversity of the whole.
One of the benefits and responsibilities of the committee is to build relationships with each other. Take time to learn what gifts and skills each member brings to the work of calling a minister. Because of the cross-section of people on the committee, it is likely that each will learn something about the other and his or her ministry.”
Frequency of meeting depends on how the committee plans to process the Ministry Site Profile and the variables of the preparing for interviewing. Meeting once every two weeks is a good baseline to consider, though some committees meet every week.
The Call Committee will Invite God into the conversation and help open the congregation's ears to hear God’s invitation. This is a vital component to this process.
To help explain aspects of the Call Committee and give more information for those considering this important role, portions of the Oregon
Synod Transitions Manual have been highlighted here:
The purpose of the Call Committee is to identify the candidate who is best suited to accompany the congregation into God’s future. The Call Committee builds on the work of the Transition Team. The work of the committee must be done prayerfully, and the people on the committee must be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit. The Call Committee is not looking for the “best and brightest” candidate; rather, they are looking for the “right” candidate for this particular congregation.
Sometimes, members of a Call Committee come with a predetermined mindset about the next minister. It is important for the committee as a whole to understand that each individual has a bias, and to challenge each member to see beyond their own unique wants toward the greater good of the whole. Encourage one another to open hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit moving within the Call Committee for the sake of the congregation’s mission and vision.
The committee should reflect the diversity of the congregation. Pay attention to age, gender, length of time is a member, levels of involvement, and attendance at worship. The number of council members on the committee should be limited and the president of the council is not an automatic member. Be discerning about
the diversity of the whole.
One of the benefits and responsibilities of the committee is to build relationships with each other. Take time to learn what gifts and skills each member brings to the work of calling a minister. Because of the cross-section of people on the committee, it is likely that each will learn something about the other and his or her ministry.”
Frequency of meeting depends on how the committee plans to process the Ministry Site Profile and the variables of the preparing for interviewing. Meeting once every two weeks is a good baseline to consider, though some committees meet every week.
The Call Committee will Invite God into the conversation and help open the congregation's ears to hear God’s invitation. This is a vital component to this process.
Who will Creator look for as we call our future pastor?
