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February 2009

We’re going to get to do something at Memorial this month that we’ve only had a chance to do a few times in our 91-year history – have a service installing a new pastor. 

I, of course, have more than a passing interest in this moment, but this is really much more than a ceremony for me. It is a moment when we all have a chance to think about the relationship between a pastor and a congregation.

Memorial has not had a lot of pastors in its history.  There were a couple of them in the early years, but four ministers really span our life. Rev. Calvin Zenk began his pastorate here in 1928, but he was also part of the crew involved in starting the congregation back in 1917. When Rev. Zenk left in 1949, Rev. Bill Schultz took over and served for 21 years and then Rev. Jon Schultz became our pastor in 1971 and served until 1996.  Pastor Bonnie served here from 1997 to the beginning of this year.

So that makes me number seven.  Being a pastor is more than a job. It is my way of responding to what I discern (with a lot of help) as God’s call in my life and of responding to the formal call of this congregation to tend to spiritual needs of those who come here and to the needs of the world around us.

On Feb. 15, we will be making some promises to each other. I thought you might like to see these ahead of time. Laura Stalder, who is a member of the Southwest Wisconsin Association’s Division on Church and Ministry, first will assure the congregation that I have met all the conditions for installation as pastor. Then she will ask me if I am willing to enter into a covenant with the members of Memorial.

I will say: “I am willing, and I promise to serve this church faithfully, preaching and teaching the word
of God, administering the sacraments, and fulfilling the pastoral office, according to the faith and order of the United Church of Christ.”

Then Laura will ask you to affirm your part of the covenant and you will say (I hope): “We, the members of Memorial United Church of Christ, receive Phil as our pastor and teacher, promising to labor with him in the ministry of the gospel and to give him due honor and support. We gather with him and with the United Church of Christ as a sign of our mutual ministry in Christ’s name.”

Look back at those last words for a moment: “our mutual ministry.” We are all in this together. I have a role to play as your pastor, but all of us share in the ministry of this congregation. I find that both exciting and reassuring.  It’s something we can celebrate together on Feb. 15.