Personnel Goals

“Is it time for us to call an Associate Pastor?”

This is one of the main questions the leadership at Grace asked Pastor Joy from the Synod Office.  The short answer she gave was, “You are ready now.”

The longer answer, coming from studies the Church has done, is that healthy congregations who plan on doing significant ministry need to have one Pastor for every 100 people at worship.

At Grace, we average well over 250 people each Sunday – so you can do the math!

A second Pastor is called for many reasons.  Here are just two of them…

1. To make sure that Pastoral care happens.  When there are too many people, one Pastor cannot do an adequate job of caring for everyone.

2. To provide for growth in both numbers and discipleship.   Just as we had a hard time growing when there was not enough space for everyone to worship, it is also hard to grow when there is not enough time for the Pastor to support the ministries the people are doing.

 “Should we call an Associate Pastor now?”

Way back in 2003, we were asking that question.  As we looked ahead at the growth of Grace, the people set two goals.

• The first goal was to make space for worship, which we have.

• The second goal was to call an Associate Pastor so growth could continue and ministry could happen.

 Listen closely over the next few weeks to hear more about the need for a second Pastor – the benefits of having a second Pastor – and the process for calling a Pastor.

What an exciting time to be part of Grace! 

WHO – “Can you imagine who our Associate Pastor might be?”

When it’s time to add an Associate Pastor, who will fill that spot?  Will it be a man or a woman?  Will it be a young Pastor fresh out of Seminary – or a seasoned Pastor with some years of experience in a Congregation?  Will they actually have a full head of hair?

Whoever it is, because of their presence, more ministry will be done – for they will. . .

• Bring different talents as they work with the Boards to create new ministries.

• Add new insights into living the Christian life.

• Allow Pastor Kent to have time to create new ministries

• Provide more Pastoral Care to a growing Congregation.

• Make it possible for continuity when Pastor Kent is gone.  (That is, there will be Communion at every service, personal care for people, etc.

Allow for additions to Grace’s life.  For example, wouldn’t it be great to have a Parenting Class on Wednesday Nights, while your children are at Confirmation - - or another Adult Class on Sunday mornings?

No matter WHO becomes the second Pastor at Grace, each of us will receive more support for the ministries with which we are involved.   And that’s a good thing.

WHY- The benefits of a second Pastor

One of the best words to describe the benefits of calling an Associate Pastor is “more”.  More ministry will be done.  More Pastoral Care will be given.  More ideas will inspire us.  And more outreach can be accomplished by us all.

Grace is a growing congregation, and we want to continue that growth.  An Associate Pastor will encourage that growth in many ways.  Here are some examples:

• More growth can happen as more time is invested in reaching out to our community with the Good News.

• More growth can happen for those who are here as well as for those who are not here as marriage classes, an on-line devotional, an on-line Bible study, parenting classes and Bible studies are offered.

• More small groups, each with a special emphasis, can be offered in order to bond us more closely to one another.

• Meanwhile, more of us can get involved in a variety of ministries as a second Pastor inspires and leads u

Why does Grace want and need a second Pastor?  Because more good things will happen for us and for the community.  And, therefore, more growth will take place.

Grace Lutheran Church is growing and has over 825 members which is a good problem to have.  More than ever there is a greater ministry need for and with those members. The Synod recommends a full time pastor and staffing for 300 – 500 members.  The lower range is used when the congregation is growing.  The Board of Personnel is concerned that member’s needs are not being met because there isn’t enough staffing and volunteers to support the ministries.   Our current staff is overwhelmed and it is critical having our new members involved within 3 months of joining Grace Lutheran Church.

Many thanks to the leaders and our Church Boards for understanding the demands on our staff and for taking on more responsibilities themselves.  The Church Boards have welcomed our new members and encouraged involvement in our ministries.

Grace Ministries:

· Minimum of 61 people needed to make worship happen.

· Minimum of 28 people needed to provide Sunday morning education.

· Minimum of 135 people needed to make all the projects of Church in Society possible.

· Minimum of 46 people needed to work with the youth.

Staff Challenges:

· Congregation membership increased to over 825 members.

· More frequent Sunday worship services with more than 250 in attendance.

· Increased hours devoted by our staff and volunteers for new members; orientation, volunteer evaluations, and member sponsors.

· Reaching new members promptly and involved in our ministries within 3 months.

· Increased Church Board activities.

· Being understaffed but continue providing quality service to our congregation.

· 20 hours a week volunteer help for Tammy.

· 10 hours a week volunteer help for Joanne.

· Continuing an active youth program.

The neighborhood duplexes and the 11-acre retirement village being built next door present a large potential for the elderly ministries.

Grace Lutheran Church has been blessed with talented, dedicated and excellent staff.  Retaining and supporting them is imperative to the continued success and growth of our congregation.  We need to capitalize on our staff strengths, challenge them, and provide our staff with opportunities to grow in faith.  Our staff should be compensated fairly, current value recognized, and their future growth at Grace Lutheran Church.

In 2006 a Staffing Plan was put into place with the long term goal of adding an Associate Pastor.  Now that we have hired a part time administrative assistant, we can reach this goal with some restructuring of the current staff’s duties and hours.  This will prepare Grace Lutheran Church to receive and welcome the gifts an Associate Pastor can offer.

Staffing Goals:

1. Continue the staff salaries to match Synod & National recommendations.

2. Increase Joanne from 20 to 30 hours / week in January of 2009.

3. Hire an associate pastor summer of 2009.

4. Increase Patty from 20 to 30 hours / week when the associate pastor starts.

The benefits of reaching these goals:

· By bringing our current staff up to the guidelines, we encourage them to stay together as a team.  There is a benefit because our staff has worked together in ministry for several years. 

· By hiring an Associate Pastor, more ministry will be done with and for members of Grace, who will be supported in their lives of faith.

These are positive goals and will benefit Grace Lutheran Church today and in the future as we continue to grow in faith and serve the Lord with his ministries.