Finding the puzzle piece

Joel Moore serves as the chair of the call committee. He is an ordained deacon who has been part of the St. Paul community for more than 20 years.

“This is not a job someone applies for,” Joel said. “This is a vocational calling into ministry as an associate pastor. It’s sacred work.”

Joel brings a unique perspective to the role, balancing his work as Chief Nursing Officer at MercyOne Genesis with his calling to serve the church. Just as he cultivates future leaders in healthcare, he now helps shepherd a committee diverse in thought, experience, and connection to St. Paul.

Woven together 

The call committee itself reflects the congregation’s rich diversity. Among its members are Jason Mahn, a professor at Augustana College; Anne Budde, a career educator; Peggy Wrzesinski, a volunteer passionate about service; Amy Paustian, a farmer who once called into a committee meeting from her tractor; Ron Mullen, church council president; and Madison Castleberry, an occupational therapist and avid knitter.

“They are so diverse, but we are woven together and make this beautiful representation of this congregation,” Joel said. “I continue to be surprised by how much depth, passion, servitude, and connection these new friends bring. I really didn’t know any of them before we started this work together.”

Since assembling this past fall, the committee has prioritized getting to know one another—building trust and understanding each member’s strengths and perspectives.

New places 

Working closely with senior pastor Mark Niethammer, the synod office, and pastoral staff, the committee has a clear view of who they’re seeking: someone passionate about people who will connect with this congregation while stretching into new outreach.

“We’re looking for someone who will push us, continue to cultivate relationships—people to people, people to organizations within the community. Connectedness is part of our genetic makeup at St. Paul,” Joel said. “The ideal candidate will inspire the congregation to walk more closely with God, administering not just to the neighborhood but to the world beyond.”

Joel envisions the St. Paul staff as one big puzzle, with the new associate pastor being “the perfect fit—the last piece of the puzzle.”

Sacred timing 

The search process for a pastor isn’t a typical hiring process.

“We have to remain faithful and let the Spirit do the Spirit’s work,” Joel said. “We have to listen, and be faithful to the process.”Working in partnership with Pastor Dan Kuckuck, their synod liaison, they’re discovering together what it means to be part of a vocational call rather than simply hiring an applicant for a job.

Joel’s confidence in finding the right person stems from trust—in the process, in the Spirit’s work, and in St. Paul’s identity as a beacon in the community.

“We are such a diverse congregation—I’m confident that someone will be drawn to the richness of who we are.”

As the call committee continues its work, they carry not just their own discernment but the prayers and hopes of this congregation. And when that final puzzle piece falls into place, it will be because the right person was drawn at the right time—just as many of us are drawn to St. Paul, finding our place in a church that shows up for each other in the brokenness and beauty of life.