CALLING A NEW PASTOR

After an incredible 17 years of ministry with Mount Calvary, Pastor Brenda has decided to retire. This page has all the information to keep us up to date as we search for our next pastor.


WHAT’S NEXT FOR MOUNT CALVARY?

As in all transition times, this is a great opportunity for us to look at the needs of the congregation. The Church Council, Human Resources Team and Staff Leadership are always striving for the best practices in human resources and staff planning. We love hearing for everyone! If you have thoughts you would like your Council or Call Committee to know, please reach out!


MEET THE CALL COMMITTEE

To talk to anyone on the call committee, please email info@mountcalvary.org and your confidential email will be given to them.


MATT BUCKA

Committee Chair

CHARLIE EGGERT

KRISTINA OLSON

RACHEL LIVINGSTON

Church Council


AMANDA FORTMAN

KEVIN HRUBY

TRINA VOLBRECHT

PASTOR KYLE JACKSON


We have formed a team that is deeply involved in the current ministry of the congregation, understands the unique role of this call and have experience in providing leadership and hiring. Matt Bucka is serving as chair after assisting on two previous call committees and serving as congregational president. He will lead the other seven members of the team. Pastor John Hulden is our call process administrator from Minneapolis Synod.


The call committee has been appointed by the Church Council to serve as church leaders responsible for developing a call recommendation to the Church Council and congregation for a new pastor of Mount Calvary.
The call recommendation will be undertaken after reflection on the future needs of the mission and ministries of Mount Calvary and by engaging in deep listening to God, through scripture and prayer, and community of faith.

Their duties are:

  1. Act as representatives of the church council and congregation. Serve as a congregational key stakeholder to evaluate church needs, opportunities and pastoral transition approach and ministry expectations. Seek additional stakeholder voices for further input.
  2. Carefully research, interview and recommend pastoral candidate. Work with the Minneapolis Area Synod to finalize candidate positions requirements and church needs/goals for pastor. Guide and support the work of the synod in candidate research, interview and recruitment activities. Make call selection recommendation for presentation to Church Council.
  3. Assist in onboarding once Church Council and Congregation make final selection and candidate accepts.

THE TIMELINE

The timeline has been drafted in consideration of Pastor Brenda’s desire to retire at the end of September 2025. On average a call process takes 9-12 months.

  • JANUARY 2025

    1

    Call Committee

    A Call Committee is recruited, and voted on by Church Council. Meetings begin to discern the ministry needs of the congregation. Review staffing positions and ministry site profile.

  • FEBRUARY 2025

    2

    Initial Recruitment

    Call Committee work continues along with initial recruitment of Pastor Candidates. Candidates can come from three sources, recommendations by members, recommendations from the synod and candidates initiating a desire to be here from our posted opening. Help us spread the word!

  • MARCH 2025

    3

    Recruit + Interview

    Work continues in recruitment and interview process.

  • APRIL 2025

    4

    Interviews

    Tentative interviews

  • MAY 2025

    5

    Final Selection

    Goal for final selection of candidate.

  • JUNE 2025

    6

    Offer

    After Church Council approval, offer to top candidate. This is a very confidential process to allow the candidate the ability to inform a congregation they may be coming from.  Negotiation of final details and public timeline.

  • JULY 2025

    7

    All Congregational Meeting

    An all congregational meeting for the congregation to meet the candidate and vote for call.

  • AUGUST 2025

    8

    Transition

    A time of transition

  • SEPTEMBER 2025

    9

    Start Date

    Goal start date

We have for a long time been a “three pastor church” along with other full time ministry professionals.
In general, we do not ask our Pastors to be specific ministry professionals, i.e. called to only do a certain type of ministry. Each senior leader is expected to be able manage any area the congregation needs. Pastors primarily form important roles of preaching, teaching and spiritual duties as their primary responsibilities. Therefore, we are searching for an exceptional Pastor, not only someone who can shepherd our Youth Faith Formation ministries.


FOLLOW THE CALL

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SUMMER 2025

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SUMMER 2025

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