Nebraska Synod ELCA

“You just never know when you answer the phone how God might be calling!” So says Pastor Megan Morrow of her experience of being called to the Nebraska Synod staff 8½ years ago. She has served as an Assistant to the Bishop (A2B) for Southeast Nebraska and surrounding areas. In that role, she has had primary responsibility for assisting congregations in the call process but has also at times had significant responsibility for Essential Boundaries for Wise Leaders training, the fall theological conference, the Nebraska Synod Holy Land Accompaniment group, the nominating committee, and other tasks and relationships.

Pastor Megan says that ‘in her work, no two days are ever the same.’ The number of ways by which leaders are formed and congregations are served continues to expand and be transformed. “We’ve seen so much movement and change as we’ve worked with congregations when calling a pastor or deacon or discerning how their congregation can move forward when it needs to partner with others.” She also notes that “the number of transitions at any given time has doubled to a full ¼ of our congregations across the synod” in her time as A2B.

“I’ve enjoyed walking alongside congregations and people in call processes and transition as they discern how God is calling them, where they see needs in their communities and the world, and what gifts they have to offer for embodying the love of Christ for others.”

She also sees God’s movement in her work. “I’ve had the privilege of watching the Spirit bring congregations into shared ministry together more and more over the past 8 years, watching the Spirit inspire creativity, compassion, and hope amid great adversity during the storms and flooding of 2019, the past few years of pandemic, and the many social and political challenges and divisions of recent years.”

Pastor Megan will wrap up her time on staff in mid-September and then be on leave for a time before returning to ministry duties. “Looking forward, I believe God is calling me into the work of Transitional Ministry in congregations. I will be available to serve where needed beginning in 2023.” When asked what she would say to the Synod about her work these past 8½ years, her response was, “Thank you for the privilege and joy of serving Christ through the work of the Nebraska Synod.”

We of the Synod in turn say, Thank You, Pastor Megan, for your dedicated and inspired ministry among us! We wish you the best in your upcoming transitions.