ST. PAUL CALL COMMITTEE TIMELINE (UPDATED 6/17/2022)
1/11/21 Initial meeting of Call Committee with Rev. Yohannes Mengsteab, Mission & Ministry Facilitator Area B, Circuits 8-19 for the Texas District, LCMS, and Rev. Kurt Rutz, Circuit 18 Visitor.
1/25/21 Call Committee meT to organize and review of 1-11-21 meeting with Rev. Yohannes.
1/31/21 Announce Pastor Profile Survey –Dates of survey and announcement and instructions will be emailed or to those members not receiving emails during the week of January 31, 2021.
2/3/21 Pastor Profile Survey emailed or mailed to members not receiving emails. The online survey is live thru Sunday, February 28th for members to complete on-line.
2/23/21 For members preferring to complete a paper survey will need to return the completed paper survey to the church office no later than February 21, in order that their survey can be entered by the church office online by the closing date of the survey (2-28-21).
3/7/21 Due to cold weather & loss of power, the Pastor Profile Survey on-line deadline extended to Sunday, March 7, and the those completing a printed survey deadline submission to church office by Sunday, February 28th.
3/15/21 Mr. Martin (Marty) Schardt met with and present to a joint meeting of the Call Committee and Board of Directors the results of the Pastor Profile Survey.
3/22/21 The call committee will share the Pastor Profile Executive Summary and nomination form with the congregation. Members of the congregation may request a copy of the Pastor Profile Survey by contacting the church office. If the special email/mail-out is released this week, the deadline for returning the nomination form to the church office will be Sunday, April 18, to allow ample time for congregation to obtain survey and return nomination forms. Began review of Congregation’s Life, Ministry, & Mission Self-Study.
4/18/21 Deadline for members to return Nomination Form for Pastoral Call List to the church office.
4/2021 Call Committee meets as necessary to discuss progress and preparation of packet of materials that will need to be submitted to the President’s Office, Texas District, LCMS.
4/21 & 5/21 Following the deadline for nomination forms, the Call Committee sends the requested information including the completed Congregational Self Study, the Pastor Profile Survey Report, nomination forms submitted and a letter to the district president requesting a call list.
5/7/21 The Call Committee has completed the Information Gathering Stage in the process of calling a senior pastor. Since the committee’s first meeting, January 11, 2021, the committee has gathered information requested by the Texas District Office. Following several meetings in January thru April, that included discussion and review of the information being gathered, the packet of information was forwarded on May 7, to the Texas District Office including our letter to President Michael Newman, requesting a call list. In addition to our letter, the packet of information included the congregational self-study, demographic profiles, nomination forms submitted by members of our congregation, and the pastoral profile survey report including the executive summary.
5/21 & 6/21 In 4-6 weeks, the District Office will provide Personal Information Forms (PIF’s) for the pastoral candidates on the call list. The committee will meet during this 4-to-6-week period (prior to receiving the information from the District Office) and discuss the process moving forward.
7/4/21 The Call Committee received correspondence this week from Rev. Michael Newman, President of the Texas District acknowledging that his office had received and evaluated the information that we provided for the senior pastor call process at St. Paul. President Newman’s letter included a list of candidates and pastoral information forms for each candidate on the list eligible for a call. This included nominations from our congregation and nominations from the District President of candidates who also seem to fit the ministry needs, gifts, skills and abilities desired by our congregation. The confidential pastoral information forms for each eligible candidate will be provided to the call committee this week for review and evaluation in preparation for the next call committee meeting on Tuesday,
July 27, 2021. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Call Committee. Please continue to keep the call committee, and the St. Paul family in your prayers.
7/27/21 Call Committee Meeting, 6:00 p.m., Family Center
11/14/21 A Call meeting for the Congregation will be held on Sunday, November 14, at 12:00 Noon in the Albers Family Life Center. A VOTE FOR CALLING A NEW SENIOR PASTOR WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING. Following the Church Bylaws, this meeting will convey the Call Committee’s recommended candidate to be considered to extend a call for the position of Senior Pastor. In order to move forward with extending a Call for the position of Senior Pastor we must have a FULL Quorum of members for the voting process (10% of the voting membership). Childcare will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (or end of the meeting). If you have any questions, please contact the church office.
11/15/21 A vote for calling a new Senior Pastor for St. Paul Lutheran Church was taken at the Congregation Meeting on Sunday, November 14. Following the Church Bylaws, this meeting conveyed the Call Committee’s recommended candidate to extend a call for the position of Senior Pastor. The meeting was well-attended and a standing unanimous vote was received to extend a call to Rev. William Crowe of Georgetown Texas for the position of Senior Pastor. Call documents have been created and mailed to Pastor Crowe for his prayerful consideration. We ask that everyone please pray for Pastor Crowe and his family during this time of deliberation.
11/30/21 On Tuesday, November 30, 2021 Rev. William Crowe returned the Divine Call to serve as Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church. The Call Committee has already begun meeting again to discuss steps in moving forward. They are prayerfully considering next steps. Please remember the Call Committee and the St. Paul family in your prayers during this time. While we are all ready to move forward, we continue to rely on God's promises to us from Scripture: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:33-34, ESV)
12/17/2021 The Call Committee has prayerfully decided to request nominations from the congregation; as well as additional names from the Texas District office. Duane Schwarz has been in contact with the District President's office. President Newman is helping to provide additional candidates who fit our profile for us to consider for Senior Pastor. If you would like to nominate a candidate, please complete a nomination form in the Narthex and return any member of the committee (a list of those serving on this committee is available in the church office). All completed nomination forms should be turned in no later than Jan. 2, 2022. Please continue to remember the Call Committee and the St. Paul family in your prayers during this time. While we are all ready to move forward, we continue to rely on God's promises to us from Scripture: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:33-34, ESV)
1/9/2022 The Call Committee has submitted the thirteen nominations received from the congregation to the Office of the President of the Texas District LCMS. The president’s office will be requesting information from these potential candidates; as well as preparing additional potential candidates to be reviewed by the Call Committee. Please continue to remember the Call Committee and the St. Paul family in your prayers during this time.
1/14/2022 The Call Committee has received the profiles of sixteen potential candidates for the Senior Pastor position of St. Paul Lutheran church from the Office of the President of the Texas District LCMS. The Call Committee will review these potential candidates. Once the committee has discussed and prayerfully reviewed all of the candidates, they will make their recommendations to the congregations. If you have any questions about the Call Process or next steps, please contact Congregation President, Duane Schwarz. Please continue to remember the Call Committee and the St. Paul family in your prayers during this time.
1/23/2022 There will be a congregational meeting during the 9:15 a.m. Sunday School hour on Sunday, January 30. This meeting is to present the sixteen additional senior pastor candidates that the Call Committee is evaluating. Following the Bylaws, no action will be taken at this meeting. If you have any questions about the Call Process, please contact Congregation President, Duane Schwarz. Please continue to remember the Call Committee (a complete list of those serving on this committee is available in the church office) and the St. Paul family in your prayers during this time.
3/11/2022 A Call meeting for the Congregation will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 12:00 Noon in the Albers Family Life Center. The Call Committee has scheduled visits for three potential candidates for the office of Senior Pastor in the coming weeks. Once these visits are completed, the Call Committee will meet to discuss recommendations to the congregation. A VOTE FOR CALLING A NEW SENIOR PASTOR WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING. Following the Church Bylaws, this meeting will convey the Call Committee’s recommended candidate to be considered to extend a call for the position of Senior Pastor. In order to move forward with extending a Call for the position of Senior Pastor we must have a FULL Quorum of members for the voting process (10% of the voting membership). Childcare will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (or end of the meeting). If you have any questions, please contact anyone serving on the call committee (a list of those serving on the committee is available through the church office).
3/27/2022 A Congregational Meeting was held on Sunday, March 27. At this meeting a vote was taken to extend the Call of Senior Pastor to Rev. Brian Hesse. Pastor Hesse is currently serving at Trinity Lutheran Church in Amarillo, Texas. Please remember the Hesse family and the members of Trinity Lutheran Church in your prayers during this time of consideration. Also, please continue to lift up the St. Paul family and leaders in your prayers during this time.
5/08/2022 Rev. Dr. Brian Hesse has accepted the Divine Call to serve as Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Please continue to remember the Hesse family as they prepare for this transition (they request your specific prayers over the remaining challenges in this time of transition: prayers for adequate housing, employment opportunities for his wife and the transitions that come with switching high schools for their son); and remember the family of Trinity Lutheran Church in Amarillo, Texas, as they prepare to begin the call process upon Pastor Hesse's departure. His last Sunday to serve in Amarillo will be Sunday, June 26. Plans for his Installation as the Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church will be shared with the congregation once they are finalized.
6/17/2022 Join us in celebration on Sunday, July 24, at 4:00 p.m. for the Installation of Rev. Dr. Brian Hesse as Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Following the service, all are invited to attend a catered reception in the Albers Family Life Center. Please register by Sunday, July 10, on the church web site (www.splcwaco.com) or call the church (254.799.3211).
1/25/21 Call Committee meT to organize and review of 1-11-21 meeting with Rev. Yohannes.
1/31/21 Announce Pastor Profile Survey –Dates of survey and announcement and instructions will be emailed or to those members not receiving emails during the week of January 31, 2021.
2/3/21 Pastor Profile Survey emailed or mailed to members not receiving emails. The online survey is live thru Sunday, February 28th for members to complete on-line.
2/23/21 For members preferring to complete a paper survey will need to return the completed paper survey to the church office no later than February 21, in order that their survey can be entered by the church office online by the closing date of the survey (2-28-21).
3/7/21 Due to cold weather & loss of power, the Pastor Profile Survey on-line deadline extended to Sunday, March 7, and the those completing a printed survey deadline submission to church office by Sunday, February 28th.
3/15/21 Mr. Martin (Marty) Schardt met with and present to a joint meeting of the Call Committee and Board of Directors the results of the Pastor Profile Survey.
3/22/21 The call committee will share the Pastor Profile Executive Summary and nomination form with the congregation. Members of the congregation may request a copy of the Pastor Profile Survey by contacting the church office. If the special email/mail-out is released this week, the deadline for returning the nomination form to the church office will be Sunday, April 18, to allow ample time for congregation to obtain survey and return nomination forms. Began review of Congregation’s Life, Ministry, & Mission Self-Study.
4/18/21 Deadline for members to return Nomination Form for Pastoral Call List to the church office.
4/2021 Call Committee meets as necessary to discuss progress and preparation of packet of materials that will need to be submitted to the President’s Office, Texas District, LCMS.
4/21 & 5/21 Following the deadline for nomination forms, the Call Committee sends the requested information including the completed Congregational Self Study, the Pastor Profile Survey Report, nomination forms submitted and a letter to the district president requesting a call list.
5/7/21 The Call Committee has completed the Information Gathering Stage in the process of calling a senior pastor. Since the committee’s first meeting, January 11, 2021, the committee has gathered information requested by the Texas District Office. Following several meetings in January thru April, that included discussion and review of the information being gathered, the packet of information was forwarded on May 7, to the Texas District Office including our letter to President Michael Newman, requesting a call list. In addition to our letter, the packet of information included the congregational self-study, demographic profiles, nomination forms submitted by members of our congregation, and the pastoral profile survey report including the executive summary.
5/21 & 6/21 In 4-6 weeks, the District Office will provide Personal Information Forms (PIF’s) for the pastoral candidates on the call list. The committee will meet during this 4-to-6-week period (prior to receiving the information from the District Office) and discuss the process moving forward.
7/4/21 The Call Committee received correspondence this week from Rev. Michael Newman, President of the Texas District acknowledging that his office had received and evaluated the information that we provided for the senior pastor call process at St. Paul. President Newman’s letter included a list of candidates and pastoral information forms for each candidate on the list eligible for a call. This included nominations from our congregation and nominations from the District President of candidates who also seem to fit the ministry needs, gifts, skills and abilities desired by our congregation. The confidential pastoral information forms for each eligible candidate will be provided to the call committee this week for review and evaluation in preparation for the next call committee meeting on Tuesday,
July 27, 2021. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Call Committee. Please continue to keep the call committee, and the St. Paul family in your prayers.
7/27/21 Call Committee Meeting, 6:00 p.m., Family Center
11/14/21 A Call meeting for the Congregation will be held on Sunday, November 14, at 12:00 Noon in the Albers Family Life Center. A VOTE FOR CALLING A NEW SENIOR PASTOR WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING. Following the Church Bylaws, this meeting will convey the Call Committee’s recommended candidate to be considered to extend a call for the position of Senior Pastor. In order to move forward with extending a Call for the position of Senior Pastor we must have a FULL Quorum of members for the voting process (10% of the voting membership). Childcare will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (or end of the meeting). If you have any questions, please contact the church office.
11/15/21 A vote for calling a new Senior Pastor for St. Paul Lutheran Church was taken at the Congregation Meeting on Sunday, November 14. Following the Church Bylaws, this meeting conveyed the Call Committee’s recommended candidate to extend a call for the position of Senior Pastor. The meeting was well-attended and a standing unanimous vote was received to extend a call to Rev. William Crowe of Georgetown Texas for the position of Senior Pastor. Call documents have been created and mailed to Pastor Crowe for his prayerful consideration. We ask that everyone please pray for Pastor Crowe and his family during this time of deliberation.
11/30/21 On Tuesday, November 30, 2021 Rev. William Crowe returned the Divine Call to serve as Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church. The Call Committee has already begun meeting again to discuss steps in moving forward. They are prayerfully considering next steps. Please remember the Call Committee and the St. Paul family in your prayers during this time. While we are all ready to move forward, we continue to rely on God's promises to us from Scripture: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:33-34, ESV)
12/17/2021 The Call Committee has prayerfully decided to request nominations from the congregation; as well as additional names from the Texas District office. Duane Schwarz has been in contact with the District President's office. President Newman is helping to provide additional candidates who fit our profile for us to consider for Senior Pastor. If you would like to nominate a candidate, please complete a nomination form in the Narthex and return any member of the committee (a list of those serving on this committee is available in the church office). All completed nomination forms should be turned in no later than Jan. 2, 2022. Please continue to remember the Call Committee and the St. Paul family in your prayers during this time. While we are all ready to move forward, we continue to rely on God's promises to us from Scripture: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:33-34, ESV)
1/9/2022 The Call Committee has submitted the thirteen nominations received from the congregation to the Office of the President of the Texas District LCMS. The president’s office will be requesting information from these potential candidates; as well as preparing additional potential candidates to be reviewed by the Call Committee. Please continue to remember the Call Committee and the St. Paul family in your prayers during this time.
1/14/2022 The Call Committee has received the profiles of sixteen potential candidates for the Senior Pastor position of St. Paul Lutheran church from the Office of the President of the Texas District LCMS. The Call Committee will review these potential candidates. Once the committee has discussed and prayerfully reviewed all of the candidates, they will make their recommendations to the congregations. If you have any questions about the Call Process or next steps, please contact Congregation President, Duane Schwarz. Please continue to remember the Call Committee and the St. Paul family in your prayers during this time.
1/23/2022 There will be a congregational meeting during the 9:15 a.m. Sunday School hour on Sunday, January 30. This meeting is to present the sixteen additional senior pastor candidates that the Call Committee is evaluating. Following the Bylaws, no action will be taken at this meeting. If you have any questions about the Call Process, please contact Congregation President, Duane Schwarz. Please continue to remember the Call Committee (a complete list of those serving on this committee is available in the church office) and the St. Paul family in your prayers during this time.
3/11/2022 A Call meeting for the Congregation will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 12:00 Noon in the Albers Family Life Center. The Call Committee has scheduled visits for three potential candidates for the office of Senior Pastor in the coming weeks. Once these visits are completed, the Call Committee will meet to discuss recommendations to the congregation. A VOTE FOR CALLING A NEW SENIOR PASTOR WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING. Following the Church Bylaws, this meeting will convey the Call Committee’s recommended candidate to be considered to extend a call for the position of Senior Pastor. In order to move forward with extending a Call for the position of Senior Pastor we must have a FULL Quorum of members for the voting process (10% of the voting membership). Childcare will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (or end of the meeting). If you have any questions, please contact anyone serving on the call committee (a list of those serving on the committee is available through the church office).
3/27/2022 A Congregational Meeting was held on Sunday, March 27. At this meeting a vote was taken to extend the Call of Senior Pastor to Rev. Brian Hesse. Pastor Hesse is currently serving at Trinity Lutheran Church in Amarillo, Texas. Please remember the Hesse family and the members of Trinity Lutheran Church in your prayers during this time of consideration. Also, please continue to lift up the St. Paul family and leaders in your prayers during this time.
5/08/2022 Rev. Dr. Brian Hesse has accepted the Divine Call to serve as Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Please continue to remember the Hesse family as they prepare for this transition (they request your specific prayers over the remaining challenges in this time of transition: prayers for adequate housing, employment opportunities for his wife and the transitions that come with switching high schools for their son); and remember the family of Trinity Lutheran Church in Amarillo, Texas, as they prepare to begin the call process upon Pastor Hesse's departure. His last Sunday to serve in Amarillo will be Sunday, June 26. Plans for his Installation as the Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church will be shared with the congregation once they are finalized.
6/17/2022 Join us in celebration on Sunday, July 24, at 4:00 p.m. for the Installation of Rev. Dr. Brian Hesse as Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Following the service, all are invited to attend a catered reception in the Albers Family Life Center. Please register by Sunday, July 10, on the church web site (www.splcwaco.com) or call the church (254.799.3211).
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St. Paul Lutheran Church
1301 Hogan Lane Waco, TX 76705 Phone: 254-799-3211 Sunday Service Times 8:00am Worship 9:15am Sunday School/Bible Class 10:30am Worship |
