Special Member Meeting Info

Lynne McLaughlin,
Pastor of Community Life
and NextGen Ministries Candidate

Have questions? Come to an Open Forum Meeting Sunday, November 6 at 11:15am in the Conference Room

Special Member Meeting
Sunday, November 13 following worship
(in-person and online) 

Purpose of the meeting

This past year Lynne McLaughlin completed the Evangelical Covenant Church's commissioning process with interviews at the denomination conference and national boards of ministry.  Lynne's years of work culminated in being commissioned at the annual meeting this past June in Kansas City.

The Board of Elders is calling a Special Member Meeting on November 13 to call Lynne to be our Pastor of Community Life and NextGen Ministries, officially transitioning her from a hired employee to a called Pastor. We are choosing to recognize and honor Lynne in light of God’s call on her life. This recognition requires that the membership, through a vote, would commit to Lynne, as she commits to us.

There is a greater investment and commitment between a congregation and a pastor, as Lynne becomes called by the membership (conversely, a dismissal would also require membership action). Because Lynne’s responsibilities and salary will not change, we are honoring the credentialing work she has recently completed. We are choosing to esteem her ministerial past, present and future with Thornapple.

Please plan to attend the Special Member Meeting on Sunday, November 13 following worship. The meeting will be hybrid (both in person and online via Zoom) and votes can be cast in person, online and via absentee or proxy (preferred).

Download an absentee ballot
Download a Proxy Form
Join the Zoom Meeting (nov. 13)

Zoom Meeting Details
Meeting ID: 824 9566 2581   |   Passcode: 025540

FAQs

What does it mean to be a pastor at Thornapple?

The Ministerium of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), and by acervation, Thornapple, maintains high standards for its ministerial credentials, recognizing that those who are called and gifted to serve in vocational ministry are trusted with sacred responsibilities. We strongly believe that call to such ministry is discerned not only individually, but corporately. Candidates for credentialing in the ECC must demonstrate a multi-voiced call, receiving the affirmation of the local church, the regional conference, and the denomination

This is how elders defined “pastor” in 2012 and what we are operating out of:
Thornapple celebrates its partnership and belonging to the ECC and trusts the oversight, care, and training of pastors to our denomination. Additionally, we affirm that the process each pastor must go through to receive a permanent credential with the ECC addresses the necessary spiritual, educational, and practical competencies he or she needs for healthy pastoral ministry (ECC Permanent Credentials Include: Ordained to Word and Sacrament, Ordained to Word and Service, Commissioned Staff Ministry).

Lastly, we affirm the importance of extending a congregational call to those we invite to join our staff as a pastor. For these reasons the title of pastor at Thornapple will be given to those who hold one of the three permanent credentials with the ECC and are called by our congregation.

How can Lynne be a pastor without going to seminary?

The ECC acknowledges the diversity of how God calls people into ministry. A century ago, the meaning of pastor was narrower than it is today. For years the ECC has had a place for people called and gifted by God to serve local churches as pastors without the time and expense of a traditional seminary education.

This recognizes the practical education that happens when one serves in a local church. There is a rigorous 8-course educational component to getting a permanent credential with the Covenant. Four courses are called Covenant Orientation and four seminary level courses were completed in New Testament, Old Testament, Theology and History.

The process Lynne has completed follows the prescription of the ECC for those who are Commissioned: hold a bachelor’s degree AND take four 3-credit graduate courses in theology at an accredited seminary (Overview of New Testament; Overview of Old Testament; Systematic Theology; Church History) AND demonstrate 12 semester hours in an area of specialization (such as children, youth, adult, discipleship, camping, administration/leadership, music/worship, etc.)

What is the difference between Lynne’s current role and this one?

The nature of Lynne’s relationship with Thornapple and the title of her position are what change. Her role and job functions remain the same.

We are choosing to recognize and honor Lynne in light of God’s call on her life with a pastoral call to Thornapple.

How is her compensation changing?

There will be no change in her compensation. Compensation reviews happen independently of the pastoral call.

Is this related to the calling of the teaching pastor?

No, calling and installing a teaching pastor has been the plan for many months. Lynne’s role as Pastor of Community Life and NextGen Ministries is separate from Pastor Julia’s role as our Teaching Pastor.