Call Committee News

Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

Request for Nominations: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

November 19, 2024
Although we may be disappointed that Pastor Russ Peterson declined the call to serve in our midst, we are confident in God’s time and God’s wisdom. We know that the pastor to serve in our midst as Lead Pastor for the Shawnee Campus will yet be determined. We seek God’s will in the process, as we have from the beginning.

The process continues! We are now once again opening nominations for the position. There are two sources from which we consider potential candidates. One is a list of names compiled by Kansas District President Panzer. The other is you, the congregation.

This is your chance to nominate someone for possible inclusion in our list of names for call consideration. Perhaps you have visited other LCMS churches, or are a former member of another LCMS church, at which you observed a pastor that you think is committed to the written Word, and possesses the compassion, prayerfulness, temperament, interpersonal skills, and presence in the pulpit that will serve us well.

Nominations will be accepted through Tuesday, November 26.
If so, there are three avenues for you to access the form:

1

Hardcopies are available in the entry to both worship locations. After completing the form, you may drop it into the drop box, also in the entry to both locations or mail it to the Mission church office to the attention of Gretchen Hollman.

2

An electronic, fillable form is available on our website. You may click the link below to access the Pastor Nomination Form. It will then be submitted electronically.

3

A PDF form is available below. You may click the link below to access the Pastor Nomination Form after which you have three options in completing the form:
  • Complete the form online, save it to your computer and send it as an email attachment to gretchen@tlcms.org; or,
  • Complete the form on your computer, print it out and place it in one of the drop boxes or mail it to the Mission church office to the attention of Gretchen Hollman; or
  • Print the form, complete it by hand, drop it into the drop box or mail it to the Mission church office for the attention of Gretchen Hollman.
Whether you nominate someone or not, thank you for your prayerful consideration in our call process, asking God to reveal to us quickly the person he has chosen for us. 

A Letter from Pastor Russ Peterson

November 14, 2024

Dear friends at Trinity Lutheran Church,

Since mid-October I have entered into a time of deliberation and prayer over the call that Trinity has extended to me. Additionally, you may be aware, I have also been concurrently deliberating over a call to Holy Cross in Lake Mary, Florida, as well as my current position at Christ Lutheran.

This deliberation typically involves many conversations with individuals at the calling congregation(s) as well as the current congregation. In addition as you can imagine we have had many discussions as a family, and I have sought the wisdom of others that are not connected to any of the congregations and who can give me wise counsel. Through all of this, I have sought to discern what God’s will is.

I believe He can reveal His will through a variety of methods, and has done so throughout Scripture and throughout history. Sometimes I think God reveals His will in what appears to be a “good match” between a congregation and a pastor. At other times, I think His still small voice is saying, “I know this doesn’t make sense, but trust me…my ways are not your ways.”

Throughout my conversations with many people at Trinity it was clear that God has done and is currently doing great things in your midst. Trinity has a missional and creative spirit that is in step with the Holy Spirit. I could easily see myself being a good fit with the staff of Trinity and with the congregation as a whole. Trinity is the type of church I would want to attend if I were just a guest.

Yet, I have been led to believe that where God wants me to serve is at Holy Cross in Lake Mary, Florida.

In many ways, this is the hardest choice. I have observed several obstacles to making this decision, most notably uprooting Isaiah from his group of friends in the middle of his junior year. Nevertheless, slowly over this time of prayer and deliberation I have watched God knock down the obstacles and remove the fear.

I want to thank you for your invitation to join you in ministry. Please know that I will keep you in prayer especially as you re-enter the call process for the lead pastor at the Shawnee site. I believe that whoever God leads to accept that call will truly be the best fit and the man that God wants to serve in your midst.

In Christ-

Pastor Russ

Call Extended to Pastor Russ Peterson for Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

October 24, 2024

On Sunday, October 13, a recommendation to call Pastor Russ Peterson as the Lead Pastor of the Shawnee Campus was presented at a congregation assembly. The recommendation was supported by a vote and the call was extended to Pastor Russ. He also has another call extended from a congregation in Florida. Please pray for Pastor Russ, his family, and the involved congregations as he deliberates on God’s will for him and his ministry.

Congregational Call Assembly for Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

October 3, 2024

The Call Committee for Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus, with the approval of the Executive Committee, is recommending a candidate for extending a call. Please join us at the Shawnee Campus on Sunday, October 13, at 1pm for a congregational assembly to vote to extend a call.

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

In-Person Interviews: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

September 19, 2024

After the Shawnee Campus Call Committee conducted our Zoom interview last week, it was decided to invite the pastor for in-person interviews. Our invitation was accepted and we will be having in-person call committee, executive committee, and staff interviews in the coming weeks as well as a visit during worship services at both campuses..

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

Another Online Interview: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

September 12, 2024

The two pastors we were waiting to hear from for site visits declined our invitations. President Panzer provided another pastor to our list for consideration. We will be conducting a zoom interview with this pastor this week. Please continue to pray for our call process and for God to lead these two pastors where His will is for them.

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

Awaiting Two Candidates: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

August 29, 2024

We have extended invitations to two pastors for onsite visits and interviews. Both are currently considering divine calls from other congregations. We are waiting to hear the outcome of these calls to know if they will come for a visit. Please continue to pray for our call process and for God to lead these two pastors where His will is for them.

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

In-Person Interviews Being Scheduled: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

August 8, 2024

We are pleased to announce that the Shawnee Campus Call Committee met this week and has successfully narrowed down the group of candidates for in-person interviews. We are now in the process of scheduling these visits and developing the interview questions. We look forward to the next steps in this exciting journey.

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

Online Interviews: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

July 25, 2024

The call committee for Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus has narrowed the list of candidates down based on the criteria set by the congregation and the committee. We are looking for the man who will be the best fit for the specific needs of the Shawnee campus. We are in the midst of our online interviews, the first two this week followed by another two online interviews the following week. Based on the information gleaned from the interviews and discussion and analysis by the call committee, we will then determine who we would like to invite for in-person interviews.

We ask for your continued prayers both for the transition and vacancy period for the congregation and for the call committee that the Holy Spirit may continue to guide us along this discernment process and lead us to the best person to be our next shepherd.

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

Interviewing Four Candidates: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

July 11, 2024

Our committee has reviewed all the candidates on our call list and narrowed down the list to those with whom we are interested in having initial virtual interviews. The committee met last week and discussed the call list and will be reaching out to four candidates. We are meeting this week to finalize questions for the interviews that will be conducted in the coming weeks.

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

Reviewing the Call List: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

June 27, 2024
The Call Committee for Lead Pastor at the Shawnee campus has received a list of twelve names for consideration from the Kansas District. Five of the candidates are also on the Mission Campus list. Because there is overlap in these five candidates, the chairmen of the call committees will be  coordinating the selection process. 
The Shawnee Call Committee is in the process of reviewing the list of candidates, discussing who would best fit the unique needs of the Shawnee campus, and meeting to narrow the list down to those with whom we want to have initial virtual interviews.
If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

Call List Sent to the District: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

June 6, 2024

Progress is happening in the call processes!

Both of the Call Committees for Lead Pastors have met this week to review the nominations received from the congregation. Of the nominations, there are now two nominations for Lead Pastor at the Mission Campus, three nominations for Lead Pastor at the Shawnee Campus, and six joint nominations for consideration for both positions. Since we are in the unique position of working through two call processes at once, the call committees will be consulting with each other throughout the selection process to make the selection process more efficient with the joint candidates.
These nominations, along with the Congregational Self Evaluation Tool (CSET) and the results of the Pastoral Characteristics Survey from last summer with input from the two new call committees, have now been submitted to President Panzer at the Kansas District. President Panzer will be reviewing the list of candidates to verify their eligibility and will be adding other candidates recommended by the district.
In the meantime, the Call Committees will continue contemplating how to organize that information to allow us to select the candidates who will go further in our selection process. We will also consider our interview strategy and questions.
As always, should you have questions or input for the Committees, please contact any of the committee members. Please continue praying for our call process and President Panzer, that we may receive our list of candidates as expeditiously as possible and that we quickly recognize the person God has chosen to lead us.

Meet Your New Call Committee: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

May 23, 2024

The newly formed call committee for the Lead Pastor at the Shawnee Campus will meet soon. Please pray for the committee as we get to know each other and become familiar with the call process. 

Below are the members of the committee:

Josh Theiss, Chairman

Jeff Bessette

Joel Eckelman

Barb Estes

Julie Messbarger

Brenda Rice

Pastor Luke Jacob, Advisor

Call Committee Formed: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

May 16, 2024
One of the biggest takeaways from the listening sessions that took place in March was a desire to change the structure of leadership at Trinity, with the idea of the three pastors’ roles being organized as:

Senior Pastor

Lead Pastor – Mission Campus

Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

The Executive Committee President Patti Hare, has appointed a call committee to fill the role of Lead Pastor at the Shawnee campus. The call committee members who have graciously agreed to serve are: 

Josh Theiss (chairman) 
Joel Eckelman 
Barb Estes 
Brenda Rice
Julie Messbarger
Jeff Bessette
Rev. Luke Jacob 

Please keep the call committee in your prayers as they begin their work in calling the next lead pastor at Shawnee. We look forward to this next step in ministry as we work together as a Community Following Jesus. 

Request for Nominations: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

May 2, 2024
While the Executive Committee forms and finalizes a new call committee for Lead Pastor at the Shawnee Campus, we are now opening nominations for the position. There are two sources from which we consider potential candidates. One is a list of names compiled by Kansas District President Panzer. The other is you, the congregation.
This is your chance to nominate someone for possible inclusion in our list of names for call consideration. Perhaps you have visited other LCMS churches, or are a former member of another LCMS church, at which you observed a pastor that you think is committed to the written Word, and possesses the compassion, prayerfulness, temperament, interpersonal skills, and presence in the pulpit that will serve us well.
Nominations will be accepted through Friday, May 24.
If so, there are three avenues for you to access the form:

1

Hardcopies are available in the entry to both worship locations. After completing the form, you may drop it into the drop box, also in the entry to both locations or mail it to the Mission church office to the attention of Gretchen Hollman.

2

An electronic, fillable form is available on our website. You may click the link below to access the Pastor Nomination Form. It will then be submitted electronically.

3

A PDF form is available below. You may click the link below to access the Pastor Nomination Form after which you have three options in completing the form:
  • Complete the form online, save it to your computer and send it as an email attachment to gretchen@tlcms.org; or,
  • Complete the form on your computer, print it out and place it in one of the drop boxes or mail it to the Mission church office to the attention of Gretchen Hollman; or
  • Print the form, complete it by hand, drop it into the drop box or mail it to the Mission church office for the attention of Gretchen Hollman.
Whether you nominate someone or not, thank you for your prayerful consideration in our call process, asking God to reveal to us quickly the person he has chosen for us. 

Call Extended to Pastor Russ Peterson for Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

October 24, 2024

On Sunday, October 13, a recommendation to call Pastor Russ Peterson as the Lead Pastor of the Shawnee Campus was presented at a congregation assembly. The recommendation was supported by a vote and the call was extended to Pastor Russ. He also has another call extended from a congregation in Florida. Please pray for Pastor Russ, his family, and the involved congregations as he deliberates on God’s will for him and his ministry.

Congregational Call Assembly for Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

October 3, 2024

The Call Committee for Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus, with the approval of the Executive Committee, is recommending a candidate for extending a call. Please join us at the Shawnee Campus on Sunday, October 13, at 1pm for a congregational assembly to vote to extend a call.

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

In-Person Interviews: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

September 19, 2024

After the Shawnee Campus Call Committee conducted our Zoom interview last week, it was decided to invite the pastor for in-person interviews. Our invitation was accepted and we will be having in-person call committee, executive committee, and staff interviews in the coming weeks as well as a visit during worship services at both campuses..

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

Another Online Interview: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

September 12, 2024

The two pastors we were waiting to hear from for site visits declined our invitations. President Panzer provided another pastor to our list for consideration. We will be conducting a zoom interview with this pastor this week. Please continue to pray for our call process and for God to lead these two pastors where His will is for them.

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

Awaiting Two Candidates: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

August 29, 2024

We have extended invitations to two pastors for onsite visits and interviews. Both are currently considering divine calls from other congregations. We are waiting to hear the outcome of these calls to know if they will come for a visit. Please continue to pray for our call process and for God to lead these two pastors where His will is for them.

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

In-Person Interviews Being Scheduled: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

August 8, 2024

We are pleased to announce that the Shawnee Campus Call Committee met this week and has successfully narrowed down the group of candidates for in-person interviews. We are now in the process of scheduling these visits and developing the interview questions. We look forward to the next steps in this exciting journey.

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

Online Interviews: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

July 25, 2024

The call committee for Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus has narrowed the list of candidates down based on the criteria set by the congregation and the committee. We are looking for the man who will be the best fit for the specific needs of the Shawnee campus. We are in the midst of our online interviews, the first two this week followed by another two online interviews the following week. Based on the information gleaned from the interviews and discussion and analysis by the call committee, we will then determine who we would like to invite for in-person interviews.

We ask for your continued prayers both for the transition and vacancy period for the congregation and for the call committee that the Holy Spirit may continue to guide us along this discernment process and lead us to the best person to be our next shepherd.

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

Interviewing Four Candidates: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

July 11, 2024

Our committee has reviewed all the candidates on our call list and narrowed down the list to those with whom we are interested in having initial virtual interviews. The committee met last week and discussed the call list and will be reaching out to four candidates. We are meeting this week to finalize questions for the interviews that will be conducted in the coming weeks.

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

Reviewing the Call List: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

June 27, 2024
The Call Committee for Lead Pastor at the Shawnee campus has received a list of twelve names for consideration from the Kansas District. Five of the candidates are also on the Mission Campus list. Because there is overlap in these five candidates, the chairmen of the call committees will be  coordinating the selection process. 
The Shawnee Call Committee is in the process of reviewing the list of candidates, discussing who would best fit the unique needs of the Shawnee campus, and meeting to narrow the list down to those with whom we want to have initial virtual interviews.
If you have any questions, you are encouraged to email Josh Theiss, call committee chairman.

Call List Sent to the District: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

June 6, 2024

Progress is happening in the call processes!

Both of the Call Committees for Lead Pastors have met this week to review the nominations received from the congregation. Of the nominations, there are now two nominations for Lead Pastor at the Mission Campus, three nominations for Lead Pastor at the Shawnee Campus, and six joint nominations for consideration for both positions. Since we are in the unique position of working through two call processes at once, the call committees will be consulting with each other throughout the selection process to make the selection process more efficient with the joint candidates.
These nominations, along with the Congregational Self Evaluation Tool (CSET) and the results of the Pastoral Characteristics Survey from last summer with input from the two new call committees, have now been submitted to President Panzer at the Kansas District. President Panzer will be reviewing the list of candidates to verify their eligibility and will be adding other candidates recommended by the district.
In the meantime, the Call Committees will continue contemplating how to organize that information to allow us to select the candidates who will go further in our selection process. We will also consider our interview strategy and questions.
As always, should you have questions or input for the Committees, please contact any of the committee members. Please continue praying for our call process and President Panzer, that we may receive our list of candidates as expeditiously as possible and that we quickly recognize the person God has chosen to lead us.

Meet Your New Call Committee: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

May 23, 2024

The newly formed call committee for the Lead Pastor at the Shawnee Campus will meet soon. Please pray for the committee as we get to know each other and become familiar with the call process. 

Below are the members of the committee:

Josh Theiss, Chairman

Jeff Bessette

Joel Eckelman

Barb Estes

Julie Messbarger

Brenda Rice

Pastor Luke Jacob, Advisor

Call Committee Formed: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

May 16, 2024
One of the biggest takeaways from the listening sessions that took place in March was a desire to change the structure of leadership at Trinity, with the idea of the three pastors’ roles being organized as:

Senior Pastor

Lead Pastor – Mission Campus

Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

The Executive Committee President Patti Hare, has appointed a call committee to fill the role of Lead Pastor at the Shawnee campus. The call committee members who have graciously agreed to serve are: 

Josh Theiss (chairman) 
Joel Eckelman 
Barb Estes 
Brenda Rice
Julie Messbarger
Jeff Bessette
Rev. Luke Jacob 

Please keep the call committee in your prayers as they begin their work in calling the next lead pastor at Shawnee. We look forward to this next step in ministry as we work together as a Community Following Jesus. 

Request for Nominations: Lead Pastor – Shawnee Campus

May 2, 2024
While the Executive Committee forms and finalizes a new call committee for Lead Pastor at the Shawnee Campus, we are now opening nominations for the position. There are two sources from which we consider potential candidates. One is a list of names compiled by Kansas District President Panzer. The other is you, the congregation.
This is your chance to nominate someone for possible inclusion in our list of names for call consideration. Perhaps you have visited other LCMS churches, or are a former member of another LCMS church, at which you observed a pastor that you think is committed to the written Word, and possesses the compassion, prayerfulness, temperament, interpersonal skills, and presence in the pulpit that will serve us well.
Nominations will be accepted through Friday, May 24.
If so, there are three avenues for you to access the form:

1

Hardcopies are available in the entry to both worship locations. After completing the form, you may drop it into the drop box, also in the entry to both locations or mail it to the Mission church office to the attention of Gretchen Hollman.

2

An electronic, fillable form is available on our website. You may click the link below to access the Pastor Nomination Form. It will then be submitted electronically.

3

A PDF form is available below. You may click the link below to access the Pastor Nomination Form after which you have three options in completing the form:
  • Complete the form online, save it to your computer and send it as an email attachment to gretchen@tlcms.org; or,
  • Complete the form on your computer, print it out and place it in one of the drop boxes or mail it to the Mission church office to the attention of Gretchen Hollman; or
  • Print the form, complete it by hand, drop it into the drop box or mail it to the Mission church office for the attention of Gretchen Hollman.
Whether you nominate someone or not, thank you for your prayerful consideration in our call process, asking God to reveal to us quickly the person he has chosen for us.