Special Events » RSVP » FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RSVP?
RSVP is the church worker recruitment initiative of Lutheran Church–Canada. The letters RSVP are the standard request on an invitation: répondez s'il vous plaît - please reply.
In 1998, the members of LCC congregations were first invited to participate in a program which asked them to identify men and women whom God may be calling to consider full-time church work. It requested a response or reply from both the members and those named. The program is now in its seventh year.
What is the role of the congregation in RSVP?
Behind RSVP is the belief that God places future pastors and deacons (teachers, directors of parish services and parish nurses) in congregations and through His Spirit asks His people to identify and encourage them.
How does RSVP work?
On a designated Sunday, usually the third Sunday in January, those in worship are asked to fill in a nomination form and submit the names of young men and women whom they feel God may be calling to be pastors, teachers or deacons in Lutheran Church–Canada. The pastor then visits with each person nominated to encourage them to consider how God has spoken through His people.
With the consent of the person nominated, their name is then forwarded to the president of Synod and to the presidents of LCC's university college and seminaries. The institutions maintain contact with the nominee, encouraging them in their faith and their decisions about service.
Do people respond?
In the six years since RSVP began, more than 70 congregations have submitted almost 500 names. Our LCC institutions have already welcomed new students because of RSVP.
Can my congregation participate?
Every pastor receives the new RSVP materials each year. The booklet contains a sermon, Bible studies, bulletin inserts, announcements and other materials to assist in carrying out the program. In addition, all the materials are available on the Internet at http://www.lutheranchurch.ca/RSVP/ . We hope that every congregation will take the opportunity to participate in RSVP and encourage their young men and women to consider church work vocations.
There are no upcoming webcasts scheduled at this time.
