AN OPEN LETTER TO CTL’s NEXT PASTOR
Dear Next Pastor of Christ the Lord Lutheran Church,
We are eagerly anticipating your arrival at CTL! As the interim pastor here since January, I write hoping to help prepare you for your ministry at Christ the Lord. Here are some significant things you should know.
“Caring People, Caring for People” is more than a cliché at CTL. It is an accurate mission statement announcing the identity and character of this congregation. The members and staff of CTL work together compassionately caring for each other. They take their caring hearts into relationships with others and into their wider communities.
The heart and mind of Pastor Bob Mitchell who served CTL for over 35 years left an indelible imprint of kindness and faithfulness upon the people. He paved the way for the warm welcome I received upon my arrival. That kindness will be extended to you as well.
What does CTL need most from you? Above all, we need you to preach and teach God’s Word to us. Please deliver the good news that St. Paul wrote about in Romans 10 (above). Also, as our pastor, we will count on you to love us. Knowing you truly care about us will help open our ears to hear the Word of God you will be speaking to us.
Following the model of Jesus, we need a pastor who is a leader, but also a servant. We need a pastor who will serve to build upon the strengths our Lord has already entrusted to CTL. And, we need a pastor who will lead in ways that will grow the ministries and missions of CTL.
Jesus invited his first disciples, “Follow me.” What an adventurous journey that was for them! We anticipate journeying with you on an adventure our Lord has prepared for us together as Christ the Lord Lutheran Church.
Grace and peace to you,
Scott Peterson, Interim Pastor
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