Salem Lutheran Church Elca

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Rev. Jefferson Cox resigns as Associate Pastor for Congregational Life, effective Nov. 20th, 2010

The transition of Salem Lutheran Church from the pastorate of Rev. Wayne Schmidt to the next senior pastor of the congregation is nearing its final phases. The Call Committee has a list of candidates for the position and will be working to narrow down that list to a single primary candidate to place before the Mission Team and congregation for consideration as the next senior pastor of Salem. In order to allow that process to move forward, I must resign as the Associate Pastor for Congregational Life of Salem Lutheran Church, and my resignation will be effective Saturday, November 20th, 2010. As currently scheduled, my last official act as associate pastor will be to officiate at the wedding of Richard Purnell and Michel Lee Anayas that day.
When I was called as associate pastor, the following passage was added to my call documents by the Bishop’s Office: “It is the policy of the Florida-Bahamas Synod that a pastor called as associate or assistant pastor serves co-terminus with the Senior Pastor and will not be available for the senior pastor call should that call become open during the tenure of the assistant or associate pastor.” In applying that policy, it is the expectation of the Bishop that the associate pastor resign his or her call at least one month before the arrival of the next Senior Pastor of the congregation. This is to allow the new senior pastor to begin their call in a clear position as the primary pastor to the congregation. While I have enjoyed immensely serving as the associate pastor of Salem, I support this concern for the next senior pastor. The second issue arises in part from an understanding that often the skill sets that make for a well-qualified and productive associate pastor are not necessarily the same as those that are typically found in well-qualified and effective senior pastors.
However, many of you may recall that during the process of calling me as the associate pastor of Salem, many in the congregation raised concerns regarding the Synod’s policies regarding the call of associate pastors. In response to those concerns, negotiations with the Bishop began regarding the policy as written in my call documents. In response to those negotiations, the co-terminus aspect of the policy was not amended or removed in any way, just as I confidently expected. However, in regards to the other aspect of the policy, the ineligibility of an associate pastor to be considered for the call of the senior pastor, the Bishop did express a sensitivity that at times, in very rare circumstances, an associate pastor may well be an excellent candidate for the position of senior pastor of the same congregation to which they are serving as associate pastor. Thus the Bishop allowed that I would not be automatically excluded from the call list for the position of senior pastor of Salem should that position become vacant during my tenure as associate pastor.
My hope is that you clearly understand several things. First, I am resigning as associate pastor willingly, in order to allow the transition process of Salem Lutheran Church to move forward. Second, the Bishop and his staff have shown great care and concern for me, my family, and the congregation through this process. Third, the willingness of the Bishop to be flexible in considering me for the call list at Salem further demonstrates the care and compassion of the Bishop and his staff. Fourth, this was never meant to be a guarantee that I would be on the call list, only that I might be considered for the call list. The call list of the congregation remains utterly confidential, and even to indicate one way or another whether or not I am on that list would jeopardize the integrity of the process.
I know that this time of uncertainty is difficult for many. This is a road I’ve walked before, and wasn’t too excited about the possibly of walking it again. But after prayer, reflection, and conversation I came to the understanding that having the opportunity to serve you as associate pastor was well worth the risks that came with the position, and I stand by that to this day. I have no regrets about taking the call as associate pastor to this magnificent congregation, and I am eternally thankful for all the people that have made the experience of being the associate pastor of Salem such a joy. I hope that the seeds I have planted as associate pastor to Salem bear fruit for generations to come.
And finally I leave you with two verses that mean a lot to me: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7 NRSV

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9:15 am - Christian Education for all ages
10:30 am - A liturgical service based on the 2008 Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal
7:00 pm, 1st Monday of the month - "Nu 'Oli", a Hawaiian Worship Service

Salem's DASH Strategy
Discipleship -To provide opportunities for our members to grow in their faith and to take on active roles in the life of the church. To create new leaders within the church and to increase our presence in the spiritual life of our community.

Assimilation - To nurture and support each other as we integrate new members into the congregation, providing a welcoming worship experience with opportunities for fellowship. To reach out to inactive members and visitors so that they are encouraged to join us in discipleship.

Service - “The church is the church only when it exists for others…” says Dietrich Bonnhoffer. We reflect God’s love when we serve others. This encompasses our everyday actions as well as our more organized efforts.

Heart – To provide all the resources necessary to meet the vision for the ministry of the Gospel by Salem Lutheran Church. This includes faith, hope, love, courage, and the commitment of time, talents, and treasures by the people of God.

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