Pastor Call Process Update

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last week many of you learned that Pastor Jeremy Freye has accepted the call to Living Word Lutheran Church in Katy, Texas. This call evokes many emotions. Like you, I’m very sad to see Pastor Jeremy, Jaymie, Hunter and Bailey move from our community. However, I am certain that Pastor Jeremy’s call is led by God and that the Spirit is moving for both congregations. Living Word will greatly benefit from Pastor Jeremy’s experience here and I know God’s Kingdom will grow because of his ministry there.

Pastor Jeremy’s last Sunday at Sheridan will be December 15. While this is a longer transition that usual, it is what is best for all involved. The timing reflects our need to get past the Family Christmas Celebration (Jaymie plays a big role in the success of this very large event) and it also gives the Freye family time to get their children to the midyear break for school. Pastor Jeremy will begin his call at Living Word on January 1.

Calling a pastor is both a time consuming and multi-step process. We will begin assembling a call committee in January, but our goal is to begin interviewing candidates in the month of May. Easter is very late this year (April 20) and Confirmation is the following week (April 27). We plan to put ourselves in a position to receive candidates immediately after these important dates on the church calendar.

I have already been in contact with Bishop Brian Maas of the Nebraska Synod. He is aware of our needs in a pastoral leader and welcomes the opportunity to support us to find the candidate God will call to us. He also is grateful for our proposed timeline as it reflects a better “season” for procuring a greater number of candidates.

I ask a couple of things of you. First and foremost, I ask that you keep both congregations in prayer. Transitions are filled with emotions. I ask that you pray for the Freye family and their well-being. I am certain they will be successful and that brings joy. I also pray that you are gracious with your staff at Sheridan over the months in which we will be stretched a bit thin. Patience and loyalty are indications of maturity of faith and I ask these of you.

I believe that this is a positive move for all involved. Pastor Jeremy, our Council, Lead Team and entire staff are of one accord. While we will have a greater workload during this transition, yet we trust and believe God will send us the right leader to meet our ministry needs at Sheridan. Truly God’s Kingdom will be expanded – both by Pastor Jeremy’s good work in Katy and also by our raising up a new leader at Sheridan. The greatest gift we can give as a congregation is strong leadership to the Church. I am thankful that the Spirit is leading these gifts at Sheridan.

Thank you for your prayers.

Peace,
Pastor Greg