What does it mean for a pastor to receive a call?

Life is in turmoil. It is like standing in a dusty field, surrounded by wildflowers, with the wind whipping all around, blowing dust and leaves into the air with a whirlwind, all the while knowing that at any moment, the darkened skies will open up and rain will begin to fall in sheets, not with the gentleness of a early spring shower. 

That, my friends, is what happens when a pastor receives a call to serve another congregation. He finds himself with the call to his current congregation and a call to another congregation. There are many thoughts and emotions that swirl about him. The members of his current congregation have a plethora of emotions - disbelief, fear, sorrow, joy, elation, hope, anger and complacency. Emotions are often the first things that are put forth.  

The family of said pastor faces many emotions as well. They have become a part of a community of faith, a family, and are faced with the struggle of what would be the best thing to do at the time. There are friendships that have been formed. There are feelings of anxiety and fear at the thought of the loss of these relationship. 

The pastor's wife faces many challenging things. People will look at her and put on her their own emotions. If they like the pastor, they will question if the wife is the reason that he has received a call. They might even blame the wife for this happening. Or they will try to use the wife to influence the pastor in his deliberations on the call. "Tell him that you don't want to move." "Let him know that..." She is put in the uncomfortable position of influencing the pastor in returning the call (or in some situations, to accept the call and move on).

Yes, I have received a call to serve as pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lindenwood, IL. Why? It is because the Holy Spirit has lead that congregation to call me to serve as their pastor. They are without a shepherd (understanding that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the pastor is the under shepherd). They have felt that at this time, for whatever reason, the Lord has said, "Issue this man a call to serve as your pastor." 

What happens now? It should be understood that in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, when a call is issued, the pastor seeks the guidance of the Holy Spirit on what to do. Some have misunderstood the announcement of having received a call to mean that I am leaving and have already started the process of saying "good bye." I understand why this is done. It helps to begin the process should I accept this call. 

But I have not accepted this call. Nor have I declined it. It is far too early in the process to say either of those things. I am in prayerful consideration. Now I will be in discussion with 1) St. Paul's and 2) Immanuel. I will spend time asking what is the ministry here at St. Paul's and how do I, as pastor, fit in into that ministry. Has my time here run it's course? Or is there more that the Lord wants to do through me? If it is the later, what is that which He wishes to do?  

One thing I ask when someone says, "You can't leave," is "Why?" It has to be something more than "I like you. I want you to stay." It feels good to be wanted and loved. Trust me, it does feel really good. But why do you want me to stay? What ministry do we have to do together? What ministry does the Lord have for me to do here at St. Paul's? 

At the same time, I will be in discussion with the members of Immanuel. I will be asking what is their vision of what the ministry looks like at Lindenwood. The question will be raised is the needs of the congregation such that it will be blessed by my ministry there. What is it that they see that I will provide to them to assist them to continue to move forward with the message of the Gospel?

What does all this mean? It means that we, pastor, family, St. Paul's members and Immanuel members, will prayerfully ask the Lord to give guidance at this time. We ask for clarity in sight as to what He wishes to have done. 

Stay tuned. I plan to blog my way through this process. 

Lord, I pray for Your guidance, Your wisdom and Your direction as I consider the two calls that I have - the call to St. Paul's and the call to Immanuel. I am Your servant, lead me. Amen.