It was Saturday morning and my sense of anticipation was heightened. My first wedding as a pastor was scheduled for that afternoon. I thought I was pretty well prepared. The rehearsal had gone well the evening before and my sermon was ready to go. I sat down at my desk and took a look at the marriage license. Rather than just a document that would require my signature, I was faced with lots of blanks to be completed and a printed warning of a misdemeanor violation if I failed to do it right.I got on the phone right away and called my closest neighboring Lutheran colleague. Within minutes I was in the car, driving the 12 miles to his home, for a crash course in marriage licenses, marriage certificates, and how to record marriages in the parish record.
When I graduated from seminary and entered my first call, I had no delusions that I knew it all. I had a great education, I had some basic skills and good instincts, but I lacked experience. There is a lot of on-the-job training for new pastors. But, I was pretty much on my own to discover what I did not know.
First Call Theological Education is a program of the ELCA, which provides three years of continuing education and coaching for first call rostered leaders, which is provided through synods. Yesterday, I had the privilege of meeting with the first-year “First Call” group to teach them something about parish administration. Each month this “First Call” group meets for mutual support, conversation with Bishop Wollersheim and a time of learning. Other colleagues from our synod will teach them more about stewardship, evangelism, preaching and other practical aspects of pastoral ministry. Eventually, each new rostered leader will be paired with a mentor, who will be able to offer the guidance and advice that I had to find on my own.
In the four years of my first call, I had a single visit from an assistant to the bishop, who checked up on how I was doing. After my first three years, I participated in a two day event held at Wartburg Seminary, commonly known by pastors as “the retread.” It was part continuing education and part talking about our experiences, joys, fears and sorrows. I had a good and healthy first call experience, but I think the church does a better job today of helping rostered leaders get off to a good start.
Next time, I will consider the characteristics of a good first call congregation. Comments are always welcome! Comment on the blog site at http://niselca.blogspot.com/ or on Facebook. --JC
