Getting started

This column begins a new series entitled, “Ministry Musings,” some humorous and serious stories about life as a pastor.

Previously I wrote that I didn’t finish my formal education until I was 26. Not because I was a slow learner, although that could be argued. That was the length of time it took to finish the educational process of my religious denomination. Four years of college, followed by four years of seminary. There were no accelerated or online programs back in my day. It was old school classes in person, field work while attending classes and a year of internship.

Now it was finally time for me to be ordained and receive a “call” to a congregation. The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod congregations did not “employ” pastors. It was not a contractual arrangement, although it often functioned that way. Congregations “called” pastors. Pastors responded, prayerfully one hoped, by accepting or rejecting the call.

Once the pastor accepted a call to a congregation, it was as if he had instant tenure. There were no periodic votes to keep or release the pastor. The doctrine was that God had called the pastor to his vocation. God also called a pastor to a given congregation. It was referred to as a “Divine Call” by the Holy Spirit, not a contract. People were involved, but God was in charge.

This arrangement had some advantages and disadvantages, just like the other forms of church government where pastors have their position voted upon at various times. The call system gave the pastor job security. He could stay as long as he felt God wanted him to function there. The congregation couldn’t get rid of him unless he was preaching false doctrine, morally misbehaving or declared incompetent. A really good situation for the pastor.

The downside of this arrangement was that all the power was in the hands of the pastor. Clergy are human and sometimes a pastor might be dictatorial or not a people person or not what the people in the pews wanted. In such cases, the congregation could not legitimately “fire” the pastor. They were stuck with him. Sadly, this happened more often than we would like, but that’s human nature, both on the part of the pastor and members of a congregation.

I know of several cases where members of a congregation were unhappy with their pastor, but could not technically fire him or rescind his call. Members might stop attending, contributing or start creating conflict to make the pastor so uncomfortable that he would leave.

Sorry to air the dirty laundry of life inside some congregations, but people are flawed. That includes all people, clergy and members. That’s why the Christian faith emphasizes repentance and forgiveness. OK! Enough of a tutorial about the Divine Call and church government. What about getting to that first congregation?

During my last year at the seminary, I was interviewed several times by the faculty. Did I prefer an urban church or a rural one? Did I want to be the sole pastor or serve on a larger staff? Was I interested in military or hospital chaplaincy? Based on my responses, and the availability of places for ministry, the church leaders prayerfully assigned seminarians to a first call.

“Call Day” was a significant event. I remember almost every detail. It began with a worship service. After that, all seminarians eligible for a call were sent to various classrooms around campus. There I met with my district president. He was the equivalent of a bishop or district superintendent. We prayed and he handed me a large manila envelope that included the documents for my call.

My hands trembled as I opened it. It said I had been called to be the pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Taft, California. Where in the world was that? I’ve run out of space today. See you next week.