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Pietrzyk to Head ECC Pastoral Excellence Program
CHICAGO, IL (May 19, 2004) - Dan Pietrzyk has been named by the Evangelical
Covenant Church (ECC) Department of the Ordered Ministry to direct its
Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE) program after the ECC was selected
last fall to receive a $1.67 million pastoral ministry grant through the
Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Pietrzyk is completing his ninth year as senior pastor at First Covenant
Church in Salina, Kansas, having previously served as an associate
pastor at Zion Covenant Church in Jamestown, New York, for three years.
He recently informed his church about the decision, said David Kersten,
executive minister of the Department of the Ordered Ministry. Pietrzyk
and his wife, Carrie, are expected to move to Chicago where he will
begin his new duties in early August. Funding for the position is
guaranteed for five years.
The ECC is part of a national SPE program founded by Lilly Endowment to
help maintain a high caliber of pastoral leadership in the United
States. The larger SPE program has established projects to enable
ministers of many Christian traditions to create environments for
ongoing biblical study, theological reflection and spiritual renewal,
among other things.
A major portion of Pietrzyk's job description will include crafting a
multi-faceted program to help provide pastoral care for Covenant
ministers and staff and to organize a spiritual direction training
component at North Park Theological Seminary (NPTS) in Chicago. Pietrzyk
will also engage in grant writing and fundraising. Kersten stated last
fall that grant funds could assist as many as 150 pastors with some form
of theological training and enable another 300 pastors to explore a
restorative/renewal activity for self care, while also allowing NPTS to
develop a Center for Christian Spirituality.
"Dan embodies the theme of sustaining excellence in ministry across the
years," said Kersten. "I think he's visionary, he's articulate and he is
thoughtful and reflective about what ministry is, what it is becoming
and what its great demands are. He's worked on a doctoral program in
leadership and that will serve him well. He's wonderfully qualified. And
being a pastor in the prime of ministry, we feel like he's giving us a
gift in taking the position."
Nineteen inquiries about the position were received when news of the new
program first surfaced and five individuals were interviewed. Although
First Covenant has had much to celebrate in recent years - the
congregation of 776 celebrated its 125th anniversary a year ago along
with finishing an ambitious building campaign - Pietrzyk said that the
timing seems right for a move and the position intrigues him.
"I just think the church (First Covenant) is positioned for the future
and the new position is attractive," said Pietrzyk. "Developing networks
for resourcing pastors for renewal is a significant call. There are some
unique challenges to the pastoral role and I'm amazed that Lilly
Endowment would supply such resources. I think my gifts fit well - it
seems to be a good match."
More about the new SPE position and the goals for the program can be
found by calling the Department of the Ordered Ministry at 773-583-3211.
More about the national SPE program can be found by calling 317-924-5471
or visiting the SPE web site at www.pastoralexcellence.org.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
