Call Committee Announcement

The Call Committee has made a recommendation to extend a call invitation to a pastoral candidate.

Dear St. Luke’s Congregation,

We are thrilled to announce that we have unanimously selected a senior pastor candidate. Out of respect for his current call, we cannot disclose the candidate’s name until the formal meet and greets. However, we are so excited to be able to share information about his background, experience and why he is the candidate we’ve been waiting for.

The candidate brings a wealth of experience both in business management and pastoral care. Prior to being ordained, he worked in business for 10 years. Once called to ministry, he attended Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA and graduated in 1997. During his first call he served as an associate pastor for a large congregation serving 900 people a week. Since then he has served multiple churches in a senior pastor role.

One essential qualification highly noted during our transition process is relevant, inspiring preaching which engages a modern Christian congregation. During the vetting process, each Call Committee member listened to and watched multiple sermons. Although our Call Committee is very diverse in terms of background, age, and preferred service, we all found the candidate’s sermons relatable, moving, and relevant in 2020. He can speak to current events from a Christ centered perspective leaving politics aside. At the beginning of each in person interview, he led us in gospel centered and inspiring devotionals.

During this long call process, this candidate’s quiet, patient faith emerged. Our initial contact with him was in February over the phone, and we quickly met with him in person in March. Then due to the pandemic, and needing to vet other candidates, we didn’t see him again until July. During this time, he remained in enthusiastic, humble contact with us, and was very understanding of the discernment process. During the final interview, he shared that he and his wife made a special trip to check out downtown Middleton, view the murals on State Street, and visit St. Luke’s multiple times.

Collectively as a Call Committee we believe we have found a candidate who will lead St. Luke’s forward with energy and excitement. We have always been driven towards caring for each other and our community, and this candidate is called to lead us in that work. Hebrews 10:24 tells us:

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
We look forward to formally introducing the candidate to you and voting as a congregation.

God’s Peace,

Ted Nickel, Chair
Tim Carey, Secretary
Suzanne Jacobson, Communications
Steve Luecke, Spiritual Leader
Meg Ford, Council Designee
Kevin Krause, Council Designee
Susan Skinner, Member
Anne Marie Weber, Alternate
Kristin Pavelec, Alternate