Knife River Lutheran Church

Knife River Lutheran ChurchKnife River Lutheran ChurchKnife River Lutheran Church

Knife River Lutheran Church

Knife River Lutheran ChurchKnife River Lutheran ChurchKnife River Lutheran Church
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    • Home
    • About
      • About Us
      • Facilities
      • History (1927-1990)
      • History (1991-2020)
      • Recent History
      • Contact Us
    • Calendar
    • Activities
      • Groups and Events
      • Children
      • Youth and Confirmation
      • Volunteer
    • Ministries
      • Worship
      • Music
      • Baptisms and Weddings
      • Funerals and Columbarium
      • Prayer Chain
    • Giving
    • Resources
      • Newsletters
      • Sermons
      • Policies and Meetings
      • Pastor Transition
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  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Facilities
    • History (1927-1990)
    • History (1991-2020)
    • Recent History
    • Contact Us
  • Calendar
  • Activities
    • Groups and Events
    • Children
    • Youth and Confirmation
    • Volunteer
  • Ministries
    • Worship
    • Music
    • Baptisms and Weddings
    • Funerals and Columbarium
    • Prayer Chain
  • Giving
  • Resources
    • Newsletters
    • Sermons
    • Policies and Meetings
    • Pastor Transition

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Pastoral Transition

Guidance

The KRLC Council will be providing updates as progress is made. Updates will be emailed to congregational members and appear on this page as well. Along the way, if you have questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact a Council member. It is important that all concerns are known and addressed as we progress forward. We are all in this together.

Phase 1. Pastor Susan's Retirement

Ministries

Synod Assistance

Synod Assistance

Pastor Susan retired on June 1st, 2025 and no longer performs ministerial functions for KRLC. The Worship Committee has arranged for coverage for worship.   For pastoral care concerns please contact one of the following individuals: 

Kay Bloom  218-340-0515  

Randi Alreck 218-349-3788    

Pastor Kris Garey 218-213-8599 

Synod Assistance

Synod Assistance

Synod Assistance

The Synod has assigned Deacon Susan Williams to  help us through the retirement phase and identify a suitable Interim Pastor for Phase 2. The Council will interview the proposed Interim and do the hiring. Financial implications beyond the regular budget will be subject to a vote at a congregational meeting.

Email Contact

Synod Assistance

Email Contact

After May 25, 2025 the office email address (kniferiverchurch@gmail.com) will be used only for administrative purposes. Email sent to that address will be handled by Melanie. The Interim Pastor will have their own email address, as will the new Pastor.

Phase 2. Interim

Interim Role

The Call Process

Interim Role

When an Interim Pastor is appointed that person will provide pastoral coverage. The Interim serves as our temporary pastor until a permanent one is chosen by the congregation.  The Interim Pastor will help the church do an assessment of its needs, wants and desires and assist in the process of finding a new Pastor.   

How long?

The Call Process

Interim Role

The interim period will last until the congregation calls, and the new pastor accepts, the permanent position of Pastor at KRLC. There is no set deadline. The process may take a number of months.

The Call Process

The Call Process

The Call Process

The Interim Pastor will work with the Council to put together a Call Team (5 persons). Council members do not serve on the Call Team. The Synod will provide a list of candidates. The Call Team will review materials and conduct interviews to help them make a final recommendation to the Council.   There is a delicate balance between transparency and confidentiality that will need to be managed.  

Phase 3. Calling a New Pastor

Who chooses?

How does it end?

How does it end?

Once the Call Committee have completed their work the candidates will be introduced to the Council and congregation.  The congregation will then extend an offer to one of the candidates.  The Council acts on the Call Team's  recommendation and can extend an offer to a prospective Pastor, who can choose to accept or reject it. 

How does it end?

How does it end?

How does it end?

This process may take months.  It is a slow one because we all benefit if the fit is a good one.   If the offer will have budgetary implications, over and above allocated amounts, a congregational meeting will be held to make that decision. Once an offer has been extended and accepted then a period of time will be needed to get the new pastor in place. 

New Pastor

How does it end?

New Pastor

It will take some time for the new pastor to become acclimated to the community and to our congregation, but in the end it will be nice to again have a pastor dedicated to us. We will all have opportunities to work together to forge a new, bright future for KRLC and our community.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.


Martin Luther King Jr.

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