Newsletter October

Greetings in Christ Good Shepherd Family!

On behalf of the Call Committee, I’m pleased to share we unanimously recommend Pastor Eric Klemme for divine call as pastor. I provide the following additional information on him and the efforts of the committee for your prayerful consideration ahead of the Voter’s Assembly, planned for Sunday, 29 September 2024, at 4pm.

With Pastor Ray Angerman’s retirement and resultant pastoral vacancy, we began this process with the Voters’ Assembly establishing a Call Committee encompassing a representative cross section of the congregation empowered to evaluate pastoral nominees for call on behalf of the congregation. We then surveyed the congregation to prioritize the pastoral and personal skills desired in our shepherd as well as our congregational goals. We established an initial list of 25 gentlemen nominated by the congregation and Southern District President, Eric Johnson. Of those 25, we subsequently met with the 5 who stated they would consider a call. Per our bylaws (Attachment 8), paragraph 15.3 , “In the screening process, the Call Committee shall submit names to the respective District President for information and evaluation. After receiving information and recommendations from the District President, Call Committee shall present to the congregation, by means of a public announcement, at least five (5) preferred candidates, together with a biographical sketch of each.” Attachments 1-5 are said biographical sketches in alphabetical order after Pastor Klemme.

During the assessment process, the call committee prioritized the pastoral skills and talents by seeking measurable information to describe how well the candidate fit the congregational skills and talent desires, which were derived from the congregational survey. The committee thanks you for providing the frank and honest description of what skills and abilities are needed for our new pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. If anyone knows what our congregation needs, it’s you!Therefore, of these five, the Call Committee unanimously assessed Pastor Klemme as the best match to our congregation’s priorities and recommend extending him the call. Please see Attachment 6 for a table of additional details on our assessment according to the congregational priorities. You may also review examples of his preaching and teaching through multiple internet sources, such as at https://www.facebook.com/LOG.Slidell. The next step in this process, in accord with our constitution and by-laws as well as district guidelines (Attachment 8), is to announce a Voter’s Assembly two Sunday’s prior the meeting. According to paragraph 15.4: “At the Voters’ Assembly, called for the purpose of electing a new pastor, the preferred list may be amended by means of a two-thirds vote of those present. At that point, the Voter’s Assembly shall be asked to agree to be satisfied with whatever selection is finally made by the congregation. ” Followed by paragraph 15.5:
“Balloting shall proceed by means of a secret ballot vote. A majority is needed in order to determine the disposition of the call.”

I acknowledge some members’ desire to meet Pastor Klemme ahead of the call meeting to aid in their own assessment. I understand this desire and hope (1) this provided information, (2) the trust placed in the committee by the congregation to appropriately represent them and assess the nominees, and (3) your prayers and trust in God’s will to be done will be sufficient. Further, I point out that the calling of a pastor is a prayerfully considered divine call and not a job interview process. I have consulted with President Johnson and other pastors who have reinforced that additional meetings/interviews beyond the Call Committee's assessment is highly irregular and not standard. The call committee has chosen to follow the standard procedure of the divine call process. I refer you to the internet resources where you can listen to Pastor Klemme speak, watch videos of his church services, and hear him sing.

Therefore, in accord with Good Shepherd’s constitution and by-laws as well as standard synod practices, I ask you to (1) review this material, (2) prayerfully consider calling the man, in accordance with God’s will, who will be our congregation’s next pastor, and (3) participate in our Voter’s Assembly on 29 September. Please see Attachment 7 for our Voter’s Assembly agenda.

As a servant of Good Shepherd, I am available to discuss further should you desire ahead of the Voter’s Assembly at 850-797-7373, haazer@aol.com, or in person.
Together in Christ,

Garry A. Haase
Chair, GSLC Call Committee
President, GSLC