Call Process
The calling of a pastor represents a valuable partnership between God, the congregation, the synod and the ELCA. Each member of the partnership is enriched when the call process results in a good match between pastor and congregation. The total mission of the church is furthered when each member of the partnership is honored, respected and fulfills its appropriate role in the process.
Synod Call Process
The Northeastern Iowa Synod Constitution outlines the process for calling rostered persons.S14.16.01.A2000 The calling of a pastor represents a valuable partnership between God, the congregation, the synod and the ELCA. Each member of the partnership is enriched when the call process results in a good match between pastor and congregation. The total mission of the church is furthered when each member of the partnership is honored, respected, and fulfills its appropriate role in the process.
We seek to follow a process which builds on trust and openness, relies on good communication, and results in a call which is pleasing to God. Throughout this process the congregation holds the authority to call a pastor on the roster of the ELCA. The congregation, the pastors, and the office of the bishop must follow the constitutions of the congregation, synod and ELCA throughout this process. For the sake of an orderly process and good communication, the congregation is encouraged to follow the guidelines of the synod.
WHEN YOUR PASTOR RESIGNS:
1. The president of the congregation calls the synod office to arrange a special council meeting with an assistant to the bishop. This meeting will include:
Read More 2. Upon election of the call committee, an assistant to the bishop meets with the council and the call committee. 3. Upon completion of the Ministry Site Profile, we encourage the council to present a summary of the Profile to the congregation for its endorsement. The endorsed Profile is sent to the synod office and given to each member of the Call Committee. 4. Within approximately three weeks of receiving the Profile, a representative of the bishop will meet with the call committee. This meeting will include: 5. The call committee is encouraged to interview all candidates within a two week time span. Upon completion of the interviews, all candidates and the synod office must be notified of the call committee’s recommendation to the congregational council. 6. The call committee presents one name and a recommended compensation package to the congregational council for action. 7. In consultation with the synod office, the congregational council calls a congregational meeting for presentation of the recommended candidate and compensation package. A representative of the bishop is invited to the congregational meeting to serve as a resource. 8. The congregation will vote on the recommendation of the call committee and council. Separate votes will be taken for extending the call and for the compensation package. A representative of the congregation will notify the candidate of the vote of the congregation. The Letter of Call will be signed and delivered to the synod office. 9. The pastor may consider a Letter of Call for as long as 15 days. The time consideration may be extended through a consultation with the bishop and congregational president. 10. Upon Acceptance of the call, an installation date is determined in consultation with the called pastor, congregation and synod office. Appropriate welcoming activities are planned. The call process on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America website supports those involved in call process work—rostered leaders, congregations, church-related organizations and synods. This interactive page includes a searchable churchwide database that allows ministry sites to publish their vacancies, and rostered leaders to have their mobility information readily accessible to synod bishops. The “Getting Started” section will guide you on how to use the page. If you need additional help, you may contact our synod’s call process administrator, Linda Sue Hamilton, at 319-352-1414 or send her an email.
a. Plans for appropriate closure with the current pastor
b. Plans for an exit interview with the current pastor
c. Arrangements for pastoral ministry during the pastoral vacancy
d. Review of the call process
e. Guidelines for the selection of the call committee
f. Synod guidelines for compensation. The council will establish a salary and benefits range for the call committee.
g. Condition of the parsonage or provisions for housing allowance
h. Establishing a committee to complete the Ministry Site Profile
a. A review of the Ministry Site Profile
b. A review of call process ethics
c. Planning for the interviews
d. An emphasis on good communication with the congregation and interviewing pastors
e. Presentation of names for candidates for call.
ELCA Call Process
Rev. 4-9-2018
Interviewing
- Osage, Our Savior (staff), Rev. Cheryl Szabo, interim
- Sumner, St. John
- Waterloo, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
Self Study
- Castalia, Zion
- Charles City, Messiah
- Chester, United
- Denver, St. Peter, Rev. Charis Combs-Lay, interim
- Dows, First
- Dysart, Zion
- Independence, Immanuel (staff)
- Janesville, Messiah & Denver, St. John (Maxfield), (Unity of the Cross Parish of Bremer County)
- Mason City, St. Paul, Rev. Burton Everist, interim
- Nashua, St. John, Rev. Diane Odermann, interim
- New Hampton, Trinity (staff)
- Radcliffe, Our Savior’s and Zion
- Tripoli, St. John (Crane Creek)
- Waukon, St. John, Rev. Bill Odermann, interim
Rev. 2-2-2018
Retired Clergy
Baalson, Clarence | mm | Clear Lake |
Bidne, Allen | Waverly | |
Carpenter, Jim | Waverly | |
Dahlen, Joel | Mason City | |
Engelbrecht, Caroline | Waverly | |
Engelhardt, Marcus | Des Moines | |
Fricke, Vincent | Waverly | |
Gannett, Jack | Mason City | |
Gerrietts, Darrel | Waverly | |
Godson, Jerome | Volga | |
Granzow, Jane | Iowa Falls | |
Haug, Joan | Dubuque | |
Hermeier, Gene | Decorah | |
Jacobsen, Steven | Decorah | |
Knudson, Jim | Waterloo | |
Lee, Gary | Decorah | |
McKinstry, Roger | Marion | |
Nelson, Paul | Waverly | |
Nelson, Ron | Boone | |
Nielsen, Randy | Mason City | |
Ott, Roy | Osage | |
Rehfeldt, Richard | kkk | Rochester, Minn. |
Schaedig, Paul | Waverly | |
Shaw, Patricia | Waverly | |
Sherer, Michael | Waverly | |
Shriver, Ruth Ann | Cedar Falls | |
Trachte, Larry | Waverly | |
Wicks, Kathy | Dubuque | |
Clergy
Bohls, Sid | Mason City | |
Bouzard, Walter | kkk | Wartburg College, Waverly |
Mechler, Kent | Sheffield | |
Smith, Steve | Waldorf College, Forest City | |
Contact Persons for Colleges/Seminary
Rev. Mike Blair | kkk | Luther College, Decorah |
Rev. Ramona Bouzard | Wartburg College, Waverly | |
Supply Ministry
Compensation should include preparation time, travel time, and mileage for worship services, Bible studies, confirmation, visitation, and funeral planning. It is courteous to have a check on hand to reimburse one-time supply ministers immediately. When supply is provided for multiple weeks or on an ongoing basis, payment arrangements may be agreed upon by the congregation and the supply minister. (Revised 2018)In the event that weather or some other issue requires the cancellation of a worship service, the supply minister must be notified as soon as possible. The supply minister shall be paid $100 for preparation time. No mileage shall be paid, unless the minister was already traveling to the congregation before being notified of the cancellation. Only the round-trip mileage actually traveled will be paid to the supply minister in this case. (Revised 2018)
Weekly Worship
Single service – $150; each additional service – $40 (Revised 2013)If a class is taught – $40 additional (Revised 2011)
Communion presider only – $30 per service.
Total mileage should be paid at the IRS approved rate. (54.5 cents per miles for 2018) (Revised 2001)
Other Services
(weddings, funerals, etc.)$120 per service, plus mileage at the IRS approved rate, paid by the congregation. This would be in addition to any honorarium the pastor might receive from the family members. (Revised 2013)
Resources & Forms
- 2018 Minimum Compensation Guidelines
Includes guidelines for compensation, benefits, clergy housing, sabbaticals, reviews, parsonage use, and auto expense report. - Compensation Worksheet 2018
- Call Committee Report of Interview
- Pastor’s Interview Report
- Exit Interview Forms:
Questions for Exit Interview
Certificate of Completion of Obligations
Exit Checklist for Pastor
Pastor’s Input on Cogregation - Building Blocks of a Call Process
- Model Constitution for Congregations of the ELCA
- Maintaining ELCA Benefit Coverage in Times of Transition
Synod Staff Contact
Rev. Stephen Brackett