Transition and Call Committee

Transition and Call Committee

Intentional Interim Ministry. Planning for the Future. Finding Immanuel’s Next Pastor.

Immanuel’s Transition Team and Call Committee has worked closely with our Intentional Interim Pastor, Rev. Bill Marler, to discover the needs of God’s people in this place following the retirement of Pastor Mech, who served us faithfully for more than a decade. Who are we as a congregation and what is God calling us to? What are our church and school’s strengths, challenges and hopes for the future?

What is Intentional Interim Ministry? www.interimministrylcms.org

Call Committee

The Transition Team has completed its work, sharing the data they gathered with the Immanuel Church Council, who has now appointed a Call Committee. This Call Committee group represents congregation and school leaders, men and women, as well as younger and older generations. The group is tasked with prayerfully seeking God’s will as they:

  • continue to carefully listen to the input of our members.
  • work closely with our District President, Circuit Visitor and Interim Pastor.
  • find pastoral candidates, gather information, and conduct interviews.
  • communicate the Call Committee’s progress each step of the way.
  • present the Church Council and Congregation their recommendations.

UPDATE: PASTOR RAMSTAD HAS ACCEPTED THE CALL, AND WILL BECOME OUR NEXT PASTOR!
At our July 2, 2023 Voter’s Meeting, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin, Missouri voted unanimously to extend a Divine Call to Pastor Christopher Ramstad, currently serving God’s people at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Columbus, Nebraska, to be our next Pastor. We pray that God’s will is done as Pastor Ramstad and his wife Mollie prayerfully follow God’s guidance in this decision—as they now begin saying their goodbyes to our brothers and sisters in Nebraska and begin to turn their hearts toward God’s new Calling in Joplin.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28

Pastoral Attributes and Ministry Profile

Using the information gathered from the congregation, the Call Committee has developed six points of emphasis— qualities and strengths that we would like to see in our next pastor. Including nominations from our members, we have sent all of our information to our District President, and anticipate receiving a list of candidates soon. We will prayerfully study and interview prospective pastors in the coming weeks! Take a look at our Pastoral Ministry Profile below:

  • Worship style – Liturgical-based on the Lutheran Service Book and supports the organ as our chief instrument, while being open to other CPH resources, instruments, and doctrinally sound music.
  • Family ministry – Actively supports the family ministry of Immanuel Lutheran Church.
  • Servant leadership teaming – Focus should be directed towards integrating the church congregation, Martin Luther School, and the Youth.
  • Personally active in school – Should be an active and visible leader in Martin Luther School and an advocate for the school and staff.
  • Teaching aptitude – Should lead adult bible study and Confirmation classes and be focused on creating opportunities for Christian outreach, small group bible studies, as well as training laypersons to help.
  • Christian care ministry – Develop a systematic way of reaching out and visiting homebound and hospitalized members, while administering the sacraments and offering assistance through the ministries of the congregation.
  • Approved at the Congregation Voter’s Meeting, April 16, 2023.

Fall 2022 Transition Survey

Immanuel has taken time to evaluate, pray and gather information as we move toward Calling our next pastor, and we thank YOU for being a part of of that process! If Immanuel Lutheran in Joplin is your church home, you may still be able to fill out the Transition Team Survey below, and let us know what you’re thinking.

NOTE: The Transition Survey is now complete, but we would still love to hear your input. Feel free to send your comments along by filling out the Contact Form at the bottom of this page, or talk to a member of the Call Committee.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. -Acts 2:42

Take the Transition Team Survey!

Make sure you scroll to the bottom of the survey and click “SUBMIT” when you are finished answering questions. Thank you.