Shawnee Call Committee: A Letter from Pastor Russ Peterson

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