Update on Search for Associate Pastor

We are excited to give you an update on the search for an Associate Pastor.

Early last fall the search committee was formed with the goal of finding an Associate Pastor for our church. The first step involved completing an in-depth document known as the Ministry Site Profile (MSP). This comprehensive 20-page document captures the essence of our congregation, including our history, current needs, challenges, staff, demographics, and vision for the future. Special thanks to the call committee for their diligent work in completing this profile.

On the other side of this process, each pastor seeking a call fills out a Rostered Leadership Profile (RLP). This document, equally detailed, covers their theology, ministry interests, preferred church size, the type of community they feel called to serve, leadership style, and much more.

Pastor Jen Beamsley, Assistant to the Bishop, reviews these RLPs to identify candidates who might be a good fit for the congregations within our synod. When a potential match is found, Pastor Jen conducts an initial interview with the candidate. If she believes the candidate is a good match after the interview, she then brings the candidate to the attention of the church. Several candidates were considered over the past year as we have sought God’s guidance for the right fit for our church.
 

This process led us to Katie Mueller. Pastor Cathy met with Katie to assess her alignment with the qualities and values we outlined in our MSP. Pastor Cathy found that Katie's vision, energy, and approach to ministry resonated with our needs.  With this in mind, she presented Katie to the Call Committee. The call committee met and interviewed Katie. They agreed that she aligned well with Bethany’s needs. We are pleased to report that they unanimously agreed to move forward with her candidacy.

Katie then had the opportunity to meet with our church leaders, staff, and council. Some of the feedback from those who met with her:

Katie Mueller exudes a warmth and kindness that immediately puts others at ease. She is not only approachable but also brings a vibrant energy, enthusiasm, and a profound passion for her faith.

Her strong Lutheran upbringing and deep sense of calling are evident in both her words and her actions. Katie’s commitment to collaboration and her genuine desire to welcome and embrace everyone just as they are, align beautifully with our mission here at Bethany.

Katie has a remarkable gift for connecting with youth, guiding them in discovering and nurturing their God-given talents. Her message of faith, deeply rooted in God’s love and acceptance, has resonated with many of us. Katie’s positive energy, strong faith, and passion for fostering community make her an ideal candidate for Bethany, particularly in nurturing a sense of family and spiritual growth within our congregation.

We are delighted to announce that the Bethany Council has unanimously voted to proceed with the call process for Katie Mueller. The next steps include a “Meet and Greet” on Sunday, September 8th, where Katie will join us for the 9:00 AM service and participate in the “God’s Work Our Hands” activities. A luncheon will follow in Luther Hall after the service work.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to speak with any member of the church council. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for your continued prayers and support as we seek to find the best candidate for Bethany’s Associate Pastor position.