Normandale Votes to Call Pastor Paul Pettersen

Our search is over! Your prayers are answered! Just as we sensed God’s constant presence as we worked through the many stages in the call process, we now see God creating something new at Normandale.

What was your process?

The standard protocol is a combination of getting to know the pastor through an initial interview, observing and participating in his/her worship site, continuing to explore ministry in a second interview, and ultimately arriving at a decision.

Our interview questions focused on Normandale’s core identities: our rich worship life, reaching out to those for whom life is difficult, education, and strong lay involvement. We asked about preaching, teaching, leadership style, understanding of stewardship, theological reflection, and personal faith. We hoped to find a pastor with a passion for ministry as reflected in a love for his/her congregation. Interviews were always dialogues, with candidates expanding our horizons through their questions. Second interviews built on the initial interview and our worship experience.

We attended many worship services, listened to many sermons, observed pastors as liturgists, noticed their interactions with parishioners and sensed the congregation’s pulse. We experienced a wide variety of worship styles.

How did you know this was 'the one?'

We carefully studied all those pastors suggested by our members plus pastors recommended by our synod. About a dozen were interviewed once and a few twice. When we met with Pastor Paul Pettersen last winter, we sensed God’s presence in a new, different, and powerful way. We measured our perception of that evening against our experiences, our reason and understanding, and we encompassed that with our prayers. His proximity to us allowed frequent opportunities to worship.

All of us reached the conclusion that God led us to Pastor Paul. Our decision was unanimous! And we arrived at that point independently of each other, for different reasons and at different times in the process.

How did you hear about him?

His name came from numerous members and kept resurfacing. Our synod contact told us that he had also been on the bishop’s list, but Pastor Paul’s sense of call remained with the congregation that he was serving. Following another recommendation in early fall, we began to visit. Having been favorably impressed, we had to rely on God to work both with us and with him.

What is next? We voted unanimously to extend the call: it is up to the pastor to accept it. Our next step is to wait.

A last word:

For nineteen months our group of nine worked on your behalf. It is apparent to all of us that God was very much a part of this journey. Thanks to your prayers, this process turned into a rich spiritual experience where we recognized God working through us and through the fine pastors we met. Our own skills were not sufficient; it was God’s grace that brought us here. When you have an opportunity to recall God’s goodness on our/your behalf, include the calling of Normandale’s new lead pastor.
Other Committee members: Diane Brady, John Devine, Gina Drazan, Mark Eckstein, Ken Heinecke, Hans Quitmeyer, Lloyd Svendsbye, Maggie Valenta

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Introduction

L to R: Gina Drazan, Ken Heinecke, Joanna Swanson, Hans Quitmeyer, Maggie Valenta, Diane Brady, Lloyd Svendsbye, & John Devine. Not Pictured: Mark Eckstein

This article introduces you to the Senior Pastor Call Committee. We are honored by your trust, grateful for this opportunity to serve our Lord, and humbled by the task before us. We already sense God’s hand at work within the committee and the process. This group of nine (plus two alternates) brings diversity in their interests, awareness of programs and ministry, and expertise. We stand united in our commitment to seek and follow God’s guidance. A deep, shared affection for Normandale, gratitude for its many facets of ministry, and hope in our future under gird our work.

In mid October the Call Committee began a process to become immersed in an awareness of Normandale’s strengths and distinctiveness. This is a crucial preparatory step as we move towards an understanding of the congregation’s expectations in a senior pastor.

You also play a role in the call process. We firmly believe that your prayer life will assist us as we learn and grow together. As the months unfold, you will want to extend your prayers to include future candidates, our dedicated staff, and the entire transition process.

As we look towards the future, we want to know what characteristics in the role of Senior Pastor of Normandale are most important to you. Your ideas can be passed on to us verbally, by using the same form available for recommending pastors, or leaving a note in the office for the Call Committee.

Names of possible candidates will come to us from several sources: while the Minneapolis Area Synod works with pastors within this synod, our members can recommend ELCA pastors from other areas or synods which will then be filtered on to the synod for their review. If you know of a pastor whose gifts and experience are appropriate for our call and your prayer life endorses this, submit that pastor’s name to the Call Committee. Forms will be available at the Welcome Center and the church office from November 9 – February 1, 2009.

Your Call Committee welcomes conversation, questions, and your interest because we realize they are all rooted in your love for our Lord and His church.

Your servant in Christ,
Joanna Swanson, Chairperson

Congregational Profile

New! God's Work. Our Hands - Congregational Profile

Normandale Family and Friends,  

As your Call Committee moves towards the next phase in our mission, we decided to place key information for candidates on our website.  Those of you who love this congregation and pray faithfully for Normandale may find this information both interesting and beneficial. Prospective pastoral candidates will find it informative. The ‘Congregational Profile’ reflects your insights and priorities as well as The Call Committee’s understanding of our congregation.  

Joanna Swanson, chairperson   

References

Listed here are references for Normandale in our search for a Senior Pastor.

Dr. Richard Bliese
President, Luther Seminary
The Orchard Adult Education Facilitator
(651) 641-3456

Reverend Meta Herrick Carlson
Associate Pastor, St. John’s Lutheran, Minneapolis, MN
Daughter of Normandale Congregation
(612) 827-4406

Rev. Christopher B. Enstad
Pastor of Faith Formation
Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth
Former Associate Pastor of Youth and Young Adults, Normandale Lutheran Church
952-210-9398 (c)

Dr. Craig Koester
Professor of New Testament Luther Seminary
The Orchard Adult Education Facilitator
(651) 641-3456

Senior Pastor Search     Preaching… Teaching… Reaching...