With the announcement of Pr. Frank Espegren’s well-deserved retirement, the Church Council is seeking applicants to serve on the Call Committee for a new Senior Pastor.  Pursuant to our Church Constitution, the Call Committee will be composed of 7 voting members of the congregation.  Their terms will run from their appointment by the Council this fall, 2024 until installation of the newly-called Senior Pastor.

The Council is seeking to appoint a Call Committee with a wide variety of experiences, gifts, and talents, including:

• Representing the whole congregation
• The ability to listen and work with others
• Clear conviction but an openness to reach consensus
• A commitment to prayerful discernment
• Familiarity with the worship life of St. John’s 

Service on the Call Committee will require a significant commitment of time and energy. After appointment this fall, the Call Committee will join the Council at their Annual Retreat on Saturday, November 16th and hold at least one planning meeting in December during which the Call Committee will select a Chair, determine its calendar of meetings, and study the call process. The Call Committee’s work in main will begin in January 2025 and will likely last through January 2026, possibly longer if the call process has not been successful in calling a new Senior Pastor.  It is important that Call Committee members be able to attend all regular meetings and candidate interviews, which will be frequent at the height of the process.

If you are interested in serving St. John’s in a critical and meaningful way, the Council hopes you will consider applying for the Call Committee. Applications are due October 7, 2024.

You are welcome to submit your application digitally, through the link below, or via hard copy by downloading the application below and mailing it to the St. John's Office. If you have difficulty downloading the digital application, you are welcome to contact Catherine Slabaugh at catherine.slabaugh@stjohnslc.org. If you have questions about the Call Committee application or process, you are welcome to contact Jo Hoffmeier at jahoffme@gmail.com. 

September 9, 2024

Senior Pastor Frank Espegren announced his coming retirement, effective September 7, 2025.

September 15, 2024

Congregation Matters meeting to discuss Pr. Frank’s retirement, Call Committee formation and application process, and other questions.   The call committee application and process is posted on the St. John’s website above.

September 15-October 7, 2024

Applications are open for membership on the Call Committee.  Applications may be submitted electronically on the St. John’s website, or in hard copy to Catherine Slabaugh.

October 8-11, 2024

Church Council Executive Committee reviews the applications and selects the Call Committee members.

October 15, 2024

Executive Committee presents the results of the selection process to the full Council for approval and initiation of the Call Committee.

October 16-18, 2024

Executive Committee notifies all applicants of the results of the selection process.

November-December 2024

The Call Committee will join the Council during its annual retreat for orientation and discernment  of its responsibilities and requirements, including review of the call process, the job description, and Synod involvement.  The Call Committee will elect its Chair and determine its meeting schedule.

January 2025

The work of the Call Committee begins.

Summer-Fall 2025

A new Senior Pastor is called.

September 7, 2025

Pastor Frank retires.  A Bridge Pastor, assigned by the Synod, assists Pastor Jon with pastoral duties during this time of transition.

Winter 2026

A newly called Senior Pastor is installed.  The Call Committee is released.