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
Download the complete Constitutional Guidelines for Calling a Pastor in the Northeastern Iowa Synod for how to proceed when your pastor resigns.
ELCA Call Process
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.
Rev. 1-6-2021
Ordaining
- Calvin P. Konop, Servant of Christ, Champlin, Minn., pending
Installing
- Rev. Katie Pals, Trinity Belmond, April 25, 2021
- Rev. Calvin P. Konop, St. Peter, Dubuque, pending
Interviewing
- Cresco, Immanuel, Rev. Charis Combs-Lay, contract
- Decorah, Burr Oak and Hesper
- Elma, St. Paul (Maple Leaf)
- Mitchell, Faith; Nora Springs, St. Luke; Osage, Rock Creek and St. John (Cross Roads Lutheran Parish)
- Nashua, St. John, Rev. Norman Bauer, contract interim
- Tripoli, Grace, Rev. Megan Graves, interim
- Tripoli, St. John (Crane Creek)
- Waterloo, Our Savior’s
Self Study
- Calmar, Calmar and Decorah, Springfield
- Charles City, Messiah
- Chester, United
- Clear Lake, Galilean, Rev. Melinda McCluskey, interim
- Decorah, Big Canoe and Highland
- Decorah, First
- Dysart, Zion
- Frederika, St. John
- Grundy Center, American
- Hawkeye, Trinity
- Iowa Falls, Bethany, Rev. Darby Lawrence, interim
- Janesville, Messiah
- Jewell, Bethesda, Rev. Adam Starrett, interim
- La Porte City, Zion (Jubilee)
- Mason City, St. Paul, Rev. Matthew Muters, contract
- Ridgeway, Peace, Orleans and Madison (Ridgeway Parish), Rev. Jim Scaife, contract interim
- Ryan, Peace and Dundee, St. John (Unity of the Cross Lutheran Parish), Rev. Rhea Evanson, contract interim
- Story City, St. Petri, Rev. Scot McCluskey, interim
- Sumner, St. Peter (Richfield) and Waucoma, St. John (Stapleton)
- Waterloo, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
- Waterloo, St. Ansgar, Rev. Susan Weier, contract interim
- Waterloo, Zion
- Waverly, LSI/Beloit (chaplain)
- West Union, Zion
Rev. 1-4-2021
Retired Clergy
Bauer, Norm | Charles City | |
Carpenter, Jim | Waverly | |
Christensen, Daniel | Lime Springs | |
Edwards, Robert | Story City | |
Ellingson, Wayne | Decorah | |
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 | |
Jensen, Jim | Albert Lea, Minn. | |
McKinstry, Roger | Marion | |
McMillin, Harold | Garnavillo | |
Nelson, Paul | Waverly | |
Nelson, Ron | Boone | |
Nielsen, Randy | Mason City | |
Olson, Phillip | Ossian | |
Rehfeldt, Richard | yyy | Rochester, Minn. |
Shaw, Patricia | Waverly | |
Sherer, Michael | Waverly | |
Shriver, Ruth Ann | Cedar Falls | |
Svanoe, Rolf | Decorah | |
Tomlinson, Keith | Waverly | |
Trachte, Larry | Waverly | |
Clergy
Bohls, Sid | yyy | Mason City |
Mechler, Kent | Sheffield | |
Retz, Elizabeth | Waterloo | |
Smith, Steve | Waldorf College, Forest City | |
Non-Sacramental Ministry
Adamcik, Eric | yyy | Waldorf College, Forest City |
Strike, Paul | Dubuque | |
Contact Persons for Colleges/Seminary
Rev. Brian Beckstrom | Wartburg College, Waverly |
Compensation and Benefits for Temporary Ministries
Temporary staff compensation and benefits should be based on the duties and the amount of time spent completing ministry tasks. The interim rostered minister serving a congregation between permanent pastorates should be compensated as agreed upon by the rostered minister and all church councils involved, taking into account the following:
Full-Time Interim
- Parish supplies housing for the pastor, spouse, and family.
- Compensation should be on the basis of the interim minister’s number of years of experience according to synod guidelines. Under no condition shall it be less than the minimum guidelines for seminary graduates. Auto allowance should also be paid. Supplemental benefits should also be included.
- Furthermore, if the parish situation requires concentrated effort above the normal routine, serious consideration should be given to meet the guidelines for a rostered minister of the experience and skills which the interim brings to bear on the problems of the parish. It must be remembered that restorative and creative ministry on the part of the interim rostered minister may be much more difficult and exhausting than regular parish ministry.
- Interim calls are issued by the synod council in consultation with a local site.
Part-Time Interim (20 hours or less per week)
Compensation will be proportionate to the base salary, benefits and auto allowance of a full‑time interim rostered minister. Interim calls are issued by the synod council. In no instance shall the minimum hourly wage fall below $30 per hour inclusive of travel and preparation time plus mileage at the current IRS rate.
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 – $40If a class is taught – $40 additional
Communion presider only – $30 per service.
Total mileage should be paid at the IRS approved rate.
(56 cents per miles for 2021; 57.5 cents per mile for 2020)
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.
Resources & Forms
- Proposed 2021 Minimum Compensation Guidelines (NEW!)
Includes guidelines for compensation, benefits, clergy housing, sabbaticals, reviews, parsonage use, and auto expense report. - Compensation Worksheet
- Call Committee Report of Interview
- Rostered Minister Report of Interview
- 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
- Demographic Research
- Maintaining ELCA Benefit Coverage in Times of Transition
- Model Constitution for Congregations of the ELCA
Synod Staff Contact
Rev. Stephen Brackett