Associate Pastor Call Process
Following the call of Pastor Dan Nelson as Senior Pastor, the position of Associate Pastor
is now open and we are beginning the call process.
Please refer to this page for details on the process and how members can get involved.
If you have questions, we encourage you to reach out to Tom Getchius, Council President.
Follow here for a timeline of work completed.
Call Committee Updates July 31, 2026
The Church Council voted at the July meeting to approve the Ministry Site Profile (MSP) completed by the Transition Team in June. The MSP is used by the Synod staff and candidates for call as a tool to discern matching gifts and needs of the congregation. The MSP has been submitted to the Minneapolis Area Synod and will be given to those who are candidates for the call.
In the July meeting the Church Council also approved the formation of a Call Committee for our Associate Pastor opening. A number of members of the congregation have indicated willingness to serve on the Call Committee. The Council will soon determine who will serve on the Call Committee. Please keep the call process in your prayers. We will announce and then bless the Call Committee in worship once the members have been chosen.
We thank the Transition Team for their work completing the Listening sessions and MSP. Transition team members include Emilee Albee, David Holm, Bev Lohs, Jenna Cameron, Gene Leutzinger, and Jim Andreen and Ruth Lunde.
The Associate Pastor Call Committee is taking nominations for people to serve on the Committee. You can self-nominate by contacting Ruth Lunde, Call Committee Chair.
Do you know a Pastor who may be interested in our current opening? Please have them contact Karen Alexander at the Minneapolis Area Synod.
If you would like to read the MSP, it is available below. Don't hesitate to contact us with your questions!
July 2026 - Ministry Site Profile Completed
The Church Council voted at the July meeting to approve the Ministry Site Profile completed by the Transition Team in June. They also voted to move forward with the creation of a Call Committee. The Call Committee will be chaired by Ruth Lunde. If you are interested in serving on the Associate Pastor Call Committee please email Ruth directly at lundeworld@yahoo.com. Committee members will be selected in August. (Please note that we often have more interested persons than we have available spots on the Call Committee.)
The Ministry Site Profile (MSP) will now be sent to the Minneapolis Area Synod. This is the document used by the Synod staff and candidates for call as a tool to discern matching gifts and needs of the congregation.
We thank the Transition Team for their work completing these important first steps! Thank you to team members Ruth Lunde (chair), Emilee Albee, David Holm, Bev Lohs, Jenna Cameron, Gene Leutzinger, and Jim Andreen.
Associate Pastor Transition Team
FRONT ROW: Emilie Albee, Ruth Lunde
BACK ROW: David Holm, Bev Lohs, Jenna Cameron, Gene Leutzinger, Jim Andreen
June 2026 - Listening Sessions Completed
A heartfelt “thank you” to everyone who contributed to the Associate Pastor Call Process by attending an in-person listening session, joining a zoom meeting, completing the online or hardcopy questionnaire, or contacting a member of the Transition Team. Congregational input is paramount as we work together to identify the ministry areas of focus, personal skills/gifts, and experience needed for our next Associate Pastor.
The Transition Team has reviewed and consolidated your input to complete/submit the Ministry Site Profile as required by the ELCA. This is one of the 1st key requirements to jumpstart the Call Process. To guide us with this step, Pastor Jen, from the ELCA, attended the Transition Team’s June 9th meeting.
During the Listening Sessions we also heard your request for frequent and transparent communication. Be assured that the Transition Team is committed to meet your request…and we ask that you continue to join us in prayer, throughout the Call Process.
Please continue to direct questions/comments to a member of the Transition Team at any time. Thank you again for being an integral part of the process!
May 2026 - Listening Sessions
All Confirmed members of Immanuel are invited to share input as we prepare to call an Associate Pastor at 25 hours/week. The Transition Team will be gathering your thoughts and ideas in upcoming Listening Sessions. You can provide input at an in-person session, a Zoom session, or you can speak directly with a member of the Transition Team.
In-person Listening sessions
- Wednesday May 20, 5:00pm in Luther Hall
- Sunday May 31, 10:00am and 11:30am in Luther Hall (immediately following each worship service)
- Sunday June 7, 11:30am in Fellowship Hall (immediately following 10:30am worship)
Zoom Listening sessions
- Wednesday May 27, 12:00noon. Join (Meeting ID: 949 4079 9738)
- Tuesday June 2, 8:00am. Join (Meeting ID: 922 1865 2218)
Other ways to give input
Connect with anyone on the Transition Team: Emilie Albee, Jim Andreen, Jenna Cameron, David Holm, Gene Leutzinger, Bev Lohs, Ruth Lunde. Their contact information can be found in the Immanuel directory.
April 2026
The Council approved a motion at its meeting on Tuesday, April 14, to move forward with forming a Transition Team, chaired by Ruth Lunde. The Transition Team will consist of five to seven members. Its role will be to:
- Revise and update Immanuel’s Ministry Site Profile (a structured profile about Immanuel)
- Listen to the congregation and gather input about what is needed in an Associate Pastor
- Summarize this information and present it to the Council
Once this work is completed and approved, the Council will then form a Call Committee, which will work with the Synod to continue the process of calling an Associate Pastor.
June 2026 - Listening Sessions Completed
A heartfelt “thank you” to everyone who contributed to the Associate Pastor Call Process by attending an in-person listening session, joining a zoom meeting, completing the online or hardcopy questionnaire, or contacting a member of the Transition Team. Congregational input is paramount as we work together to identify the ministry areas of focus, personal skills/gifts, and experience needed for our next Associate Pastor.
The Transition Team has reviewed and consolidated your input to complete/submit the Ministry Site Profile as required by the ELCA. This is one of the 1st key requirements to jumpstart the Call Process. To guide us with this step, Pastor Jen, from the ELCA, attended the Transition Team’s June 9th meeting.
During the Listening Sessions we also heard your request for frequent and transparent communication. Be assured that the Transition Team is committed to meet your request…and we ask that you continue to join us in prayer, throughout the Call Process.
Please continue to direct questions/comments to a member of the Transition Team at any time. Thank you again for being an integral part of the process!
May 2026 - Listening Sessions
All Confirmed members of Immanuel are invited to share input as we prepare to call an Associate Pastor at 25 hours/week. The Transition Team will be gathering your thoughts and ideas in upcoming Listening Sessions. You can provide input at an in-person session, a Zoom session, or you can speak directly with a member of the Transition Team.
In-person Listening sessions
- Wednesday May 20, 5:00pm in Luther Hall
- Sunday May 31, 10:00am and 11:30am in Luther Hall (immediately following each worship service)
- Sunday June 7, 11:30am in Fellowship Hall (immediately following 10:30am worship)
Zoom Listening sessions
- Wednesday May 27, 12:00noon. Join (Meeting ID: 949 4079 9738)
- Tuesday June 2, 8:00am. Join (Meeting ID: 922 1865 2218)
Other ways to give input
Connect with anyone on the Transition Team: Emilie Albee, Jim Andreen, Jenna Cameron, David Holm, Gene Leutzinger, Bev Lohs, Ruth Lunde. Their contact information can be found in the Immanuel directory.
April 2026
The Council approved a motion at its meeting on Tuesday, April 14, to move forward with forming a Transition Team, chaired by Ruth Lunde. The Transition Team will consist of five to seven members. Its role will be to:
- Revise and update Immanuel’s Ministry Site Profile (a structured profile about Immanuel)
- Listen to the congregation and gather input about what is needed in an Associate Pastor
- Summarize this information and present it to the Council
Once this work is completed and approved, the Council will then form a Call Committee, which will work with the Synod to continue the process of calling an Associate Pastor.
Address
Immanuel Lutheran Church
16515 Luther Way
Eden Prairie, MN 55346
Phone
(952) 937-8123