Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, At Messiah's special voters meeting held on Sunday, September 13, the assembly unanimously voted to call the Rev. Paul Doellinger to serve as our next pastor. Rev. Doellinger currently serves at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Cassopolis, Michigan.
In a letter to Messiah dated September 17, Pastor Doellinger wrote: “I received the call documents on Wednesday September 16th, along with the helpful materials about the congregation and community. I look forward to reading through them in the coming days. I promise to prayerfully consider your call with reverence and diligence … May the Lord grant His Wisdom and guidance to us all … It is my intention to have a decision made in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I would like to come up to Grand Rapids and visit with you. I will be in touch to schedule a time that works best for all.”
We'll inform you of further developments as they occur. In the meantime, please keep Pastor Doellinger, his family, the staff and members at Saint Paul, and all of us at Messiah in your prayers. Once again, our Lutheran Service Book provides all of us with a model for our personal prayers as we go forward:
Lord Jesus Christ, You instituted the office of the public ministry and instructed Your Church to call ministers of Your Word. Having prayed for the guidance of Your Holy Spirit, we have called a pastor, the Rev. Paul Doellinger, to proclaim Your saving Gospel among us. Assist him to recognize the needs of this congregation and the welfare of Your kingdom and, if it be Your will, grant that he accept the call to serve among us. Hear us for Your own sake, as You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Jonathan Chaffer, President
Mark Altemann, Chairman, Call Committee
Pastoral Call Update
