A SELF-EVALUATION TOOL (SET) FOR PASTORS

[Adopted for use By the Council of Presidents of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod on December 10, 1996]

Name: Mark E. Sell_________________________________________________________________________

In the Name of Jesus, Greetings!

The Lutheran Church desires to confess Christ and His Gospel clearly before the world for the salvation of the lost.
Therefore, the Lutheran pastor is always ready to state forthrightly what he believes, teaches, confesses and practices
in the congregation in the name of Christ. In that spirit, for the benefit of the wider Church, please answer all of the
questions in this form in a clear and concise manner. This form will be included with your file and shared with those
District Presidents who request information about you. It will also be shared by them with calling congregations as a
helpful explanation of your faith and practice. If you are not using the computer edition of this SET form, please type
your responses. If you use a typewriter, please confine your answers to the space allotted for each question.

1. Describe your understanding of the church and its mission, especially regarding outreach
to the lost.

As a Utah pastor for 8 years, it was like an international “mission” without leaving the homeland. At 93% Mormon
Trinity taught me an appreciation and understanding for the priority of missions in the church. It taught me to suffer
with those who suffer and rejoice with those who rejoice. There, my yearning to minister in a mission setting only
increased, which influenced my call with Friends of Mercy. Acts of love and mercy in Kenya, caring for AIDS Orphans
and Widows, was a great way to be a missionary as it brings the Gospel to the suffering people.

The mission of the church is to proclaim the Gospel to the lost, wherever they are found. To lose sight of mission
outreach is to lose sight of Christ’s Great Commission. Matt. 28 also is clear that the church nurtures her present
membership through the forgiveness of sins. The believer is called to serve and love his neighbor. One is not a
priority over the other. They are one and the same life of the Body of Christ. The Lord is merciful to the saved and
unsaved through the church, believers. Every Christian brings the Gospel to the people around them in their daily
calls.

2. Describe your understanding of the Office of the Public Ministry.

God gives the OPM to the church to preach the Word and administer the Sacraments. The OPM is an office of
sacrifice and servitude, NOT an office of power. He must, with compassion and zeal, proclaim the Gospel to convert
the lost and to teach the Word to strengthen the disciples. The gospel provides freedom within the call to order the
offices within the church in a team setting to meet the needs of the congregation. Certain calls expect the pastor to be
the leader of the ministry team and congregational leaders and function as an administrator. He exercises this office
with patience, care, and faithfulness to God’s Word to serve and be merciful to all sinners, the poor, the widow, the
suffering. Some congregations expect their pastor to function solely as a pastor and not an administrator.

3. What is your understanding of the role of pastor as it relates to the role of the laity as
members of the universal priesthood of all believers?

The OPM is an office of sacrifice and servitude. He is not the boss or the CEO of the sheep. He must learn who his
sheep are, which takes time. He must then shepherd them according to their vocations and teach them God’s word

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 so that they will nurture their families and be aware of their own mission to witness to Christ in their calls. Pastors, as
with all Christians are priests.

The pastor is not above the sheep. The sheep are not above the pastor. The pastor and sheep submit, together, to
God’s Word. We learn together of each other’s gifts and then work together on the mission of the church.

4. Describe your commitment to the doctrine and practice of the Synod.

I am committed to the doctrine and practice of the LCMS. This is the same as confessed in the Lutheran Confessions
since they reflect the truth of God’s Word. When a pastor gets loose with the teachings of Christ, he then begins to
loose the significance of the power of the gospel. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of
God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Romans 1:16, 17.

5. Describe your pastoral approach and practice.

This is an area that has evolved over the years. It truly depends upon the human arrangements of the call in which
Christ places me. I am a very happy-go-lucky person. Yet, when it comes to getting work done for the church I’m quite
serious and organized. There is a difference in my practice and approach between being the administrator and being
the pastor. The different contexts within my congregation call for different approaches.

When leading the church and school (when asked) forward with programs and advancing areas of service, strong
leadership skills are very important especially team-building, setting a vision and moving through transition. When
serving a widow, a shut-in or at the hospital or in the pulpit; a shepherding, compassionate, and merciful approach of
listening and responding with God’s Word is the order of the day. This brings with it a need to be patient and willing to
learn from the congregation needs and how to use her gifts in the mission of the Gospel. It is here where practice is a
matter of freedom in the context of local ministry.

6. Describe your personal spiritual disciplines, prayer and devotional life.

Early in my ministry, the services were more work than being fed. Now I enjoy them all the more and appreciate
Sunday with the rest of the people of God. As with all Christians, my strength comes from God’s Word as I’m fed at
the altar of God. From there, my devotional life, as with other families, revolves around my children and feeding them
God’s word at night before bed. My wife and I pray, read and sing hymns with our children. My relationship with other
pastors at our circuit meeting is also very important to my spiritual discipline. Over the last 7 years, I have terribly
missed my time with the brothers of the circuit. They strengthen me with comfort and collegiality.

7. What do you consider to be your strengths in ministry?

A very pastoral approach and confessing my sinful condition. Preaching, teaching, and administration. I’m very social
and outgoing. Years of experience learning law and gospel in context of the local congregation.

I can teach 5th graders through graduate school effectively. At the mercy of the children at the younger grades. I’ve
taught at the high school level, college level (Concordia, Ann Arbor - Greek and advanced Bible courses in Greek)
and seminary level (Concordia, St. Louis - Greek). However, my favorite is still bible studies and confirmation in the
local congregation.

My churchly administrative and leadership experience was developed through past tenures at: Trinity, Utica, MI and
Holy Cross, Fort Wayne, IN (congregations at the time of service of 3000+ membership); my tenure at Trinity St.
George, UT (140 + membership); my tenure at St. Luke as her Senior Pastor (1500 + membership); Sr. Editor at CPH
with 11 editors in my care; my time as a board member at CPH. All three churches had grade schools. The Lord used
my skills to help begin a school in St. George and shepherd the congregation through a building program to build a
school. Recently, I used those skills as a pastoral assistant to help a large church transition into a new church and
school building.

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 I learned administration while a manager for the Honey Baked Ham Co. in Detroit and Chicago and running my own
painting business through college and seminary. These gifts I use in service of Christ and His Church. I believe
administration serves the church, the church doesn’t serve the administration. Leadership skills are a blessing to the
church as Christ molds them in sacrificial discipleship.

All of the experience has taught me to be flexible in a congregation and to remember she is Christ’s bride, not mine.
The Lord will care and sustain His church through the many gifts, vocations, and personalities He provides.

8. Describe the areas of your ministry needing improvement and what you are doing to improve
them.

I am very active in many areas of service to the church therefore time management is always in need of improvement.
The more I get involved in, the more I depend on support staff to assist with organizing various projects. I review
schedules on a monthly and weekly basis to keep myself in check and seek help from those who have gifts to help.
Weekly meetings to coordinate ministry are key for me. Personal study of God’s word always is an area wherein I
need improvement. Fellow pastors and my wife help me in this area. In a sole-pastor call, I use the same approach,
using a weekly review and how it applies to the larger mission.

9. Describe your preferred practice regarding the use of The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship,
other hymnals and song books.

I served churches that use the TLH, the LW, LSB, and forms of Contemorary Worship. I serve as a pastoral assistant
in two congregations that has three different styles of worship, including services with no traditional liturgy and lead by
a band. These services are driven by the staff. When one learns more about the theology and purpose of worship,
one also begins to realize the amount of variety and flexibility found in and outside the hymnal. It is important to do
things well and make wise use of gifts from within the congregation. I prefer to keep the congregation rooted in the
language of the church, in scriptures and use liturgical phraseology to launch into variety and flexibility. This helps
maintain the unity of the church in both doctrine and practice from service to service. However, it is wrong to be
legalistic about using the hymnals of the church. I don’t believe the hymnal “must” be in the hand of the parishioner.
There is a lot of work that needs to be done in the area of contemporary music that reflects good theology. This is
where it is important to be faithful in the midst of flexibility.

10. Describe your preferred practice regarding alternate forms of worship (Creative Worship, writing
own liturgies, etc.).

Having done both, one must keep the delicate balance of law and gospel and maintain the focus of the sacramental
life. One must not be legalistic about the liturgy. When developing a liturgy I prefer to maintain the language of the
church, meaning the language of the bible. I discuss with the staff and certainly the church before I would change the
local church’s customs of worship. The priority is to keep sacramental practice in the context of law and gospel.

Concerning “alternate” forms of worship, I find that this topic is like picking up mercury with your fingers. It is a very
fluid term. It is understood differently from one pastor to another or even from one city to another. I’ve learned that
each church and circuit needs to talk it through and figure out what is meant. I do wish always to help promote unity in
the circuit as well.

The struggle is that an “alternate” form of worship can be understood as anything from the use of hymns outside of
the hymnal, to something as simplistic as a series of ‘praise’ songs, a bible reading, and a “talk show” style interview
where the pastor interviews one of the youth as the “sermon.” Each pastor/church needs to clarify what they mean.

I’ve used the materials that CPH produces. There is also plenty of variety within the service throughout the church
year. I’m also very open to the use of forms and hymnody from contemporary authors and musicians. The key to

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 using different worship styles is to keep it in tension with the church’s confession so as not to lose the unity of the
congregation, the unity of the circuit, and most importantly, faithfulness to law and gospel and the sacramental life.

11. Describe your preferred practice regarding children’s sermons in the worship service.
I’ve always participated in Children’s sermons. I don’t mind them. The adults often learn more than the children.

12. Describe your preferred practice regarding pastoral services (weddings, funerals, visitations, etc.)
to non-members, non-Lutherans, or the unchurched.

I have performed weddings, memorials, and many visitations with non-members, non-Lutherans, and non-Christians.
This happened more often when I served in Utah and because of my role as a Hospice chaplain for six years. The
snowbird context provided more opportunity to serve those outside of my congregation. One must be open to
proclaiming the gospel wherever and whenever the opportunity presents itself. However, I am very faithful to God’s
Word and our witness of fellowship with those who do not believe or believe differently than what Christ teaches.
Concerning weddings and memorials, I believe that each situation needs serious attention. I have no blanket rules
when performing these. Especially in the midst of crisis and bereavement, there are wonderful opportunities to serve
the suffering in the midst of the wages of sin… even death. After opportunities of instruction, be they very informal, I
would agree to do weddings and memorial services of non-members for the sake of forgiveness in the family.

13. How do you view the charismatic renewal movement?

The charismatic movement places the work of the Spirit outside of the means of grace. However, when working with a
parishioner who is involved with it, patience and teaching about the objective comfort of the Word will eventually care
for the soul and bring mercy. It will not happen over night, yet God’s Word will not return empty. Patience, wisdom
and perseverance in teaching God’s Word pay off.

14. How do you feel about working in a multi-staff ministry (pastor-pastor, pastor-DCE, pastor-school
staff)?

I enjoy working in a multi-staff ministry. My administrative and team building skills help and heal the reality of multi-
staff tension. The makeup of the staff makes no difference to me. I can share a vision with a staff, develop, and
execute a strategic plan to carry out the vision with them. E.g. I worked with a Hospice team in Utah that was
predominantly a team of medical, psychological, and sociological professionals. All but one Mormon. I developed and
implemented policies for chaplains in the Hospice program for the IHC hospitals of Utah. The challenge was to
develop policies for the Mormon community and their Hospice involvement. Over the last four years, I’ve worked with
hundreds of pastors, musicians, and churches in numerous local contexts as I traveled the country over.

Finally, I believe very strongly in God’s call through the congregation. I love to mentor young church workers, when
needed, to hand down the Faith. However, I am very comfortable being a sole pastor with a part time secretary. I love
being a pastor and the size of congregation isn’t that important to me.

15. How do you view the ministry of the Lutheran school?

I have a deep appreciation for our Lutheran school system. I am a pastor because of my Lutheran grade school and
high school teachers. There is no better family ministry program available to the congregation than to have a Lutheran
grade school and high school. This is a great way to identify and encourage those who desire to become church
workers and reach out to the community. A Lutheran school assists the parents in raising their children according to
the Fourth Commandment (Large Catechism). I’m very thankful for the committed teachers in our Lutheran schools.
My children attend(ed) Lutheran Schools. However, I’m comfortable to be in a church without a school.

16. Describe any strong preference you have toward a certain type of ministry.

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 The Lord has blessed me with leadership and administrative gifts as well as the ability to teach and preach. I prefer to
be in a ministry to use these gifts, which doesn’t necessarily mean a large church. I am open to teaching at any level
beyond 4th grade. I participated regularly in both television and radio ministry over the years. I would consider district
and synod ministries as well. With a good team ministry, I’m very comfortable being an associate pastor to maintain
or develop new ministries needing leadership. Again, I love being a pastor and do not have a “strong preference.”

17. Describe your preferred Communion practice in view of Resolution 3-08 (Indianapolis, 1986)
“Resolved, that the pastors and congregations of the LCMS continue to abide by the practice of
close communion, which includes the necessity of exercising responsible pastoral care in
extraordinary situations and circumstances.”

This is the biblical view of communion practice. As a pastor in a snowbird church (St. George) it was important to be
in touch with members and all visitors to commune believers faithfully as Christ instituted it. It is another area of being
wise according to God’s Word and seeing the cure of the soul and mercy of Christ as the focus of the sacramental
life.

18. Describe your preferred practice regarding the priority of the Lord’s Supper in public worship,
including its frequency.

I don’t see “often” as a requirement of every Sunday or Service communion, yet, I enjoy participating in the
Sacrament every Sunday. God’s Word is clear that we participate “often” in the Lord’s Supper. St. Luke (24) teaches
us that Jesus said that the Lord’s Supper is the “new testament in my blood.” One can not have a proper
understanding of the Gospel in the New Testament without properly understanding the relationship of the believer
with Jesus in the Lord’s Supper. It is one way Christ comes to earth to fulfill His presence with us. “I will be with you
always until the end of the age.” The church throughout history in the Old and New Testaments has revolved around
God’s presence by preaching law and gospel. Justification produces a gracious presence of God in the New
Testament Holy of Holies. Justification in preaching and sacramental theology is what makes us Lutheran. Every
congregation continues to study God’s word on this matter to appreciate the presence of Jesus in, with and under the
bread and the wine. A pastor works with the congregation to which he is called and seeks their reasons and
preferences for the frequency of the Lord’s Supper. That is where this holy relationship begins in a pastorate.

19. Describe your preferred practice regarding the use of common or individual cups for communion.

I personally use common cup when available. However, every congregation where I have served offered both. I never
wish for something like this to get in the way of the body and blood of Jesus and forgiveness. It is an adiaphoron.

20. Describe your preferred practice regarding first communion: before or after confirmation.

This has changed for me over the years of ministry. I would prefer after. In our context I think it is a wise practice to
confirm and commune. I see it as the teaching side of Mt. 28:16ff. Baptizing and teaching go hand in hand and lead to
the Lord’s Supper. However, I understand that this is not always the case and I’m open to our various practices.

Rather than communing before confirmation, I tend to dream about the day when we confirm the children earlier,
possibly sixth grade instead of eighth, thus getting the kids to communion sooner in life develop better discipleship
practices in grace before high school. At the same time, I think there needs to be a discussion with the circuit and
district so that we don’t set one congregation over against another. Again, we need to work very hard at walking
together in these matters. After discussing the matter with elders, I would prefer not to stop communing someone who
has already been communing, e.g., if they transferred from another congregation.

21. Describe your preferred practice regarding the use of lay people (men, women, youth) to assist in
worship, including as acolytes and lectors.

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 I have no preference. The custom of the local congregation is with what I work. I do believe proper training is the key
to both lay and clergy participation in the service. To read poorly is not wise in the church service whether clergy or
lay. Where appropriate, the more involvement, the better because we all learn the “what and whys” of our practice.

22. Describe your preferred practice regarding women’s suffrage in view of Resolution 2-17 (Denver,
1969) and as reaffirmed in Resolution 3-05 (St. Louis, 1995).

No preferred practice. Again, the practice of the local congregation is what works. It’s an adiaphoron.

23. Describe your preferred practice regarding the service of women in the church.

There are so many areas for women to serve in the church. I believe we need to be sure to keep every avenue open
for women to serve. The only area where they are to refrain from serving is Office of the Public Ministry. Christ gave
this Office to men. Other than that, the sky is the limit.

24. Describe your preferred practice regarding the church’s involvement in human care ministries in
the community.

With Luther’s Two Kingdom theology, Lutherans understand better than any other branch of Christianity how to be
involved in human care ministry. I served on a board that began a crisis pregnancy center, an ethics board of a
hospital, Hospice chaplain, Muscular Dystrophy camp, etc. and these become wonderful opportunities to share the
comfort of the Gospel. They are another opportunity to move the church into the community and bring the people
back to the altar of God where Christ heals and forgives them. Human care (love) is the responsibility of the church as
well as every Christian in their daily lives. I would love to see the church do much more in this area.

25. Describe your preferred practice regarding inter-Lutheran relationships and inter-Christian
relationships.

I believe in community involvement with believers and non-believers. The key is to understand the difference between
the theological nature of fellowship vs. the sociological issue of relationships. When it comes to relationships, the
church has no position as to with whom a pastor interacts. I support and encourage relationships with all people
especially non-Christians to have an opportunity to spread the gospel. We have a clear understanding in the
cooperation of externals, when loving our neighbor we love all, not just Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod members.

26. Describe the community or extra-congregational activities in which you have participated.

In Indiana I was a counselor for the Crisis Pregnancy Center, the Lead Chaplain (manager) of the night shift of
chaplains for St. Joseph Medical Center, taught religion at Concordia High School, Ft. Wayne and painted homes.

In Utah I was a Hospice chaplain, developed a chaplaincy program for the Cancer Rehab program, served on the
board of directors for the Crisis Pregnancy Center, active with Right to Life, served on the Ethics Board for the Inter-
Mountain Health Care Corporation. I was active in organizing and writing policy for clergy\chaplain involvement.

As Sr. Pr. of St. Luke, my entire focus was to my congregation, circuit and synodical matters. I served on the Board of
Directors of CPH and was the chairman of the Product Development Committee and on a non-religious curriculum
development committee. I prepared and lead the exegetical studies for two circuits in my area every month. I tutored
Greek for men entering the seminary. I taught Greek in some fashion at Concordia Ann Arbor. I was the pastoral
delegate for the 2001 synodical convention and served on the higher education floor committee. In MO I was a
trustee of my subdivision and active in kid’s sports programs, traveled the country to speak on HIV/AIDS in Africa,
Two Kingdom Theology, Vocation, and team ministry.

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27. Enumerate skills you have acquired (Clinical Pastoral Education, sign language, substance abuse,
counseling, etc.) and other continuing education courses you have taken.

Training: Prepare\Erich pre-marital and marital counseling; Dialogue Evangelism – 2; Evangelism Explosion; Media
training for radio/television; Non-profit fundraising and administration; Organizational governance; Board of Directors
governance; At the time of my Hospice and Chaplain work, CPE was not required. The field was transitioning to that
model. I had one class at the seminary that was a CPE credit. I was “grandfathered” into the various programs.

Six years of in-service training for Inter-Mountain Health Care: management training, team building, visitation for in-
home patients, infectious diseases. I lead in-service training on the role of the chaplain in the community and trained
many Mormon bishops about chaplaincy in a diverse community; Death & Dying and palliative (pain control) care.

Leadership training in a multi-staff environment. Recent study of leadership in the context of Lutheran theology.
Lutherans have much to offer in this area because of our understanding of, Two Kingdom theology, Second Table of
the Law, gifts of creation, Law and Gospel, and vocation as believers live out their lives of their priesthood. I’ve made
presentations on this subject as it pertains to team building in the parish.

My work at CPH and Friends of Mercy (FoM) launched me into the use of internet presence and technology in
ministry. I developed, implemented, and maintained a website. (Most recent examples, pastorsell.blogspot.com ;
ilcswconfirmation.blogspot.com ; thefriendsofmercy.blogspot.com ) For more information on my years of ministry see
pastorsell.blogspot.com to read about my interests and writings.

With FoM I learned a great deal about foreign travel, culture, the care for souls outside of my cultural boundaries,
HIV/AIDS education, and fund development. Raising money to support ministry is an art in the church.

28. What plans do you have for future continuing education and/or special skill building?

I’d still love to finish my PhD. from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, but, as I get older, it is less likely. I have my final
test and dissertation remaining. My coursework is complete. I also would like to pursue ministries with middle age and
seniors. I love working with youth and have a great understanding of their needs.

I also wish to continue to study the area of leadership in the context of Lutheran theology and providing opportunities
for congregations to serve the local community in mercy ministry.

29. What hobbies or activities do you pursue outside your regular work of ministry?

My wife and I enjoy watching movies. I enjoy writing and hope to do more writing for the church. Of course, I spend a
lot of time with the family, sports, and the kids other activities.

30. How do you safeguard quality time to be with your family?

When in the congregation, I work very hard at controlling the amount of night meetings through various scheduling
plans. I often schedule 3 meetings in one night to assure a few nights at home. I refuse to sacrifice my family on the
altar of church work. Christ will take care of his church. I have a great wife.

31. Do you presently own your own home? How do you feel about home ownership for you and your
family?

Yes. I prefer to own my own home, but am flexible, especially in certain areas of the country. I would not accept or
return a call based upon this issue.

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32. Do you have any strong feelings or needs relative to the size of community in which you live?

We appreciate the pro’s and con’s of large and small communities. If the community is small, our preference is to be
within a half hour of a large town (not necessarily big city) for the sake of the children.

33. Do you have any strong feelings about the size of the parish where you serve?

I’m comfortable in any size congregation and enjoy a multi-staff situation. However, I have no strong feelings and
would never decline or accept a call based upon size. Should the Lord call me to a small congregation, I would find
plenty of work to do and I would hope the congregation would be flexible with my other activities in the church.

34. Describe any special health or personal needs which you or your family have which would enter
into your consideration of a Call.

Our “immediate” preference is the St. Louis area (including IL.)”Thy will be done.” I have a 17 yr. old recent high
school graduate and a 13 yr. old son in 8th grade. We would like to keep him in his current school if possible. However, we
are open to moving and accepting a call anywhere. Please contact me should this information become “old news.”

35. Describe your preferred practice toward an interview by a calling congregation before a Call is
issued.

I prefer interviews for the sake of communicating well. If a congregation does not to participate in interviews, it does
not concern me. I’m open to interviews at any time. However, they are a wise practice in multi-staff calls.

36. Is there anything else in your present ministry that you would like to share that might be pertinent
to a calling congregation?

I am flexible in my vocation. If called as a senior pastor my human priorities adjust according to the needs of that
congregation. I’m open to changing vocations and would consider something outside of the local congregation. I enjoy
humor and use it in my ministry. I support a team approach to ministry and am loyal to a fault at times. Should the
Lord call me as an associate or an assistant I am committed to the team so as to get things done. If I’m called to a
small congregation, I always find areas to use my gifts in support of the mission and the team work of lay-leadership.

By grace through faith, God used me a sinful man in unexpected ways. I understand that my 20+ of experience looks
expensive in a congregation’s salary schedule, however, I’m willing to discuss this. I love being a pastor.

Remember, your answers will be shared with District Presidents who request information about you
and with calling congregations.

_____8-21-10______________ This information has been furnished by: ___Mark Sell ______________
Date

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