March Ministerial Search Update
An Incredible Journey
In just a few weeks, the Ministerial Search Committee will recommend a candidate to the congregation. While that is a milestone worth celebrating, the journey is far from over. For the church, the next leg is Candidate Week, when we meet the candidate and vote on calling this minister to our pulpit. Then comes the work of moving forward, creating a vision for the ministry and for the church. Making our next ministry successful is a responsibility we all share.
The Search Committee is on a journey, too. Bound by our shared goals, we have traversed some difficult terrain, sharing joys and losses, undertaking new challenges, and finding our way through unknown territory. We have worked hard and found joy in the work. We have gained a deeper understanding of our church community. We have had the opportunity to think about what our religion means to us and where our passions lie.
Our candidates have shared their philosophy, their theology, and their visions for what TJMC can become. We have talked about church systems and capital campaigns and spiritual growth and shared ministry. Although we will call only one minister, we have learned something from each of them to carry forward. We have ideas to share with the congregation, and we also have ideas about what our personal next steps will be.
In the short term, many of the Search Committee members will be joining the Committee on Ministry, helping to ease our new minister into the new job. We will serve as resources for all things TJMC to help the minister hit the ground running. We may also serve as facilitators in case of ministerial or congregational concerns.
While we have accomplished a great deal, our work is not yet done. The chalice that we lit at our first meeting still burns bright, its fire providing warmth and lighting our way.
