Updated December 28, 2021
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We are Blessed to Welcome Pastor Mark Kvale!
At a special congregational meeting on Sunday, December 12, 2021, English Lutheran Church voted to call Pastor Mark Kvale as our next Senior Pastor. He finds great joy in bearing witness to the love and faithfulness of Jesus Christ and helping and equipping all people, regardless of age or background, in growing into faithful disciples of Jesus. Mark is married to Ann and they have three adult sons; Aaron, Jacob, and Caleb. Born in Viroqua, WI, Pastor Mark attended high school in Plymouth, WI. He graduated from Luther College (Decorah, IA) with degrees in Music Performance and Music Management. He attended Red Wing Technical College, studying band instrument repair. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA. Since his ordination in 2005, Pastor Mark has served congregations in Wisconsin and Iowa: Blair Lutheran Parish, Blair, WI; Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, Decorah, Iowa; Trinity Lutheran Church, Sparta, WI. |
Prior to responding to God’s call to the ministry of Word and Sacrament, Mark repaired band instruments, taught percussion privately and at two colleges (Luther and Iowa Central Community College), and has played music professionally; from symphony orchestras, operas and ballets to jazz, rock, and yes, even polka!
He loves spending time with family and friends, baseball, getting behind a drum set, reading, and walking. And he loves being in God’s creation, especially exploring the beauty of Montana.
Pastor Mark will begin his ministry with us at ELC on January 24, 2022.
He loves spending time with family and friends, baseball, getting behind a drum set, reading, and walking. And he loves being in God’s creation, especially exploring the beauty of Montana.
Pastor Mark will begin his ministry with us at ELC on January 24, 2022.
Updated December 7, 2021
Dear Siblings in Christ,
On Sunday, December 12, we will be re-airing a sermon from our candidate and the Q&A between services (at 9:45), and we will gather at noon for a congregational meeting where we will hold a vote to call a new Senior Pastor.
There will be a Zoom link to the congregational meeting to join in from home that will be sent out on Sunday, December 12. You can ask questions and contribute to the conversations, but please note: you will NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE from home. All voting members must be confirmed members of the church and be in attendance in person.
Nursery care will be available during the congregational meeting.
Please know that we are prepared for a large crowd for this special meeting. All COVID precautions will be taken, including masking for everyone over the age of 2, social distancing, sanitizing, and overflow seating with access to the Zoom. Anyone physically in the building is able to vote, no matter if you're in an overflow room or not.
On Sunday, December 12, we will be re-airing a sermon from our candidate and the Q&A between services (at 9:45), and we will gather at noon for a congregational meeting where we will hold a vote to call a new Senior Pastor.
There will be a Zoom link to the congregational meeting to join in from home that will be sent out on Sunday, December 12. You can ask questions and contribute to the conversations, but please note: you will NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE from home. All voting members must be confirmed members of the church and be in attendance in person.
Nursery care will be available during the congregational meeting.
Please know that we are prepared for a large crowd for this special meeting. All COVID precautions will be taken, including masking for everyone over the age of 2, social distancing, sanitizing, and overflow seating with access to the Zoom. Anyone physically in the building is able to vote, no matter if you're in an overflow room or not.
Exciting times!
In Peace,
Karl Green
President – ELC Vision Board
In Peace,
Karl Green
President – ELC Vision Board
Updated September 3, 2021
The Call Committee has been meeting weekly where we have developed questions to ask the candidates. At this time, we have forwarded those questions to Assistant Bishop Pastor Libby for approval. Very soon, Pastor Libby will forward to us names of candidates to interview.
We are also working on the interview schedule including where the candidates will lodge, where we will share a meal, who will give the candidates a tour of the church, and what focal points of La Crosse the candidates should see while they are here.
We are also working on the interview schedule including where the candidates will lodge, where we will share a meal, who will give the candidates a tour of the church, and what focal points of La Crosse the candidates should see while they are here.
Updated August 6, 2021
The Call Committee would like the congregation to know that they can contact either of the Co-Chairs, Pete Bemis or Greg Fenton if you wish to share some thoughts, concerns, or ideas about our call process for our next Senior Pastor.
Updated July 15, 2021
The Call Committee nominees were made official and all voted in at the special congregational meeting on June 27. They are excited to begin their work!
Updated June 15, 2021
There will be a special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 27 after worship (10:45) to elect the Call Committee. You may attend in person or via Zoom. Our nominees are: Pete Bemis, Jennifer Carr, Greg Fenton, Denise Strudthoff, Caden Pohnl, and Adrian Ehler (youth rep).
Please click here to participate online at 10:45 on Sunday. Your attendance and vote still counts, even if you're not here in the building!
Please click here to participate online at 10:45 on Sunday. Your attendance and vote still counts, even if you're not here in the building!
Updated June 9, 2021
The survey results continue to trickle in, settling in at over 200 responses, well over 40%. Understandably, naming the top five ministry tasks for the senior pastor had many different responses, but there were three standouts: Preaching & Worship (150 responses), Building a Sense of Community (91) and Administration (81). The next two highest after these three were Pastoral Care & Visitation (49) and Spiritual Formation and direction (46).
It is clear the congregation wants a senior pastor who can manage a busy church such as English Lutheran, but one who relates as much to people in crisis and with an eye to their spiritual direction. Those tasks receiving 25 or more responses include Recruiting and Equipping leaders (32), Christian Education (27), Evangelism & Mission (26), Strategic Mission Planning (26), and Innovation & Creativity (25).
If it’s not a contradiction, you want a pastor who can run a large church, with the ability to relate well to all members but who actually does spend time with all members, not just a select few leaders. You want a generalist who relates to everyone but can also administrate, rather than just an administrative pastor. That is an interesting challenge for the call committee, especially if you also want a healthy pastor who doesn’t overwork.
What English Lutheran appears to be most excited about is getting beyond COVID (and its restrictions). That includes ministry in the community, fellowship and worship. And getting a new senior pastor.
The transition team should be done with its Ministry Site Profile (MSP) by the end of June, and then it needs to be approved by the Vision Board and Bishop Boerger (and perhaps the next bishop?) before it can be sent to prospective pastors. The call committee will be formed at a special congregational meeting June 27th and then trained by synod staff and hold a mock interview. Then it can receive Rostered Leader Profiles (RLPs) and can begin the selection process.
If it’s not a contradiction, you want a pastor who can run a large church, with the ability to relate well to all members but who actually does spend time with all members, not just a select few leaders. You want a generalist who relates to everyone but can also administrate, rather than just an administrative pastor. That is an interesting challenge for the call committee, especially if you also want a healthy pastor who doesn’t overwork.
What English Lutheran appears to be most excited about is getting beyond COVID (and its restrictions). That includes ministry in the community, fellowship and worship. And getting a new senior pastor.
The transition team should be done with its Ministry Site Profile (MSP) by the end of June, and then it needs to be approved by the Vision Board and Bishop Boerger (and perhaps the next bishop?) before it can be sent to prospective pastors. The call committee will be formed at a special congregational meeting June 27th and then trained by synod staff and hold a mock interview. Then it can receive Rostered Leader Profiles (RLPs) and can begin the selection process.
Updated May 21, 2021
The Transition Team would like to meet with church members. They are looking for more feedback - this time regarding mutual expectations for the next pastor. There will also be a chance to share other thoughts regarding what is needed for the next Senior Pastor. There will be five locations/rooms within our building for meetings after church services, and each meeting is limited to six people (plus a facilitator):
Also, we remind you to send names for nominations to the Senior Pastor Call Committee to Adam Hatfield, Secretary of our Vision Board.
- June 5 & 6
- June 12 & 13
Also, we remind you to send names for nominations to the Senior Pastor Call Committee to Adam Hatfield, Secretary of our Vision Board.
Updated April 19, 2021
The Transition Team consisting of Kathy Hageseth, Greg Prichett, Jennifer Carr, Dennis Naumann, Julie Kriewald, and Pastor Glen, met on April 8 and will continue to meet (usually weekly) until the Ministry Site Profile (MSP- our church resume) is done.
Now that it is possible to meet in the church, there will be opportunities for in-person congregational input regarding the next pastor (the nature of which yet to be determined by the transition team). There will also be a survey coming out soon that will allow members to prioritize what are the most important ministry tasks for that next pastor to focus on.
Once a draft of the MSP is completed, it is sent to the Vision Board for its approval. The Vision Board may have input, request changes, and determine such aspects as the compensation package for the profile. Once the MSP process is nearing completion, the Call Committee can be called by election of members, trained and formed.
The Call Committee then receives rostered leader profiles (RLPs) of candidates from the synod and if any candidate is considered strongly, the committee will interview that candidate. If no suitable candidates are found in the first batch of candidates, a second or third batch will be sent by the Synod, until a final candidate is found. I would not expect a shortage of candidates for English.
Difficulties can occur anytime in the process, such as a desired candidate's spouse being unable to find a job in the area. It is not unusual for the interim period to last up to two years, though generally it is less than that for a church such as English Lutheran. Candidates can come from La Crosse Area Synod or from other synods across the country, and even from other denominations if Bishop Boerger approves.
Interim Senior Pastor Glen Bickford
Now that it is possible to meet in the church, there will be opportunities for in-person congregational input regarding the next pastor (the nature of which yet to be determined by the transition team). There will also be a survey coming out soon that will allow members to prioritize what are the most important ministry tasks for that next pastor to focus on.
Once a draft of the MSP is completed, it is sent to the Vision Board for its approval. The Vision Board may have input, request changes, and determine such aspects as the compensation package for the profile. Once the MSP process is nearing completion, the Call Committee can be called by election of members, trained and formed.
The Call Committee then receives rostered leader profiles (RLPs) of candidates from the synod and if any candidate is considered strongly, the committee will interview that candidate. If no suitable candidates are found in the first batch of candidates, a second or third batch will be sent by the Synod, until a final candidate is found. I would not expect a shortage of candidates for English.
Difficulties can occur anytime in the process, such as a desired candidate's spouse being unable to find a job in the area. It is not unusual for the interim period to last up to two years, though generally it is less than that for a church such as English Lutheran. Candidates can come from La Crosse Area Synod or from other synods across the country, and even from other denominations if Bishop Boerger approves.
Interim Senior Pastor Glen Bickford
