Call Process

BEGINNING THE PROCESS

The ELCA Call Process is a prayerful way in which the ELCA’s 65 synods engage their congregations, church-related organizations and rostered ministers. Each bishop is responsible for the way Call Process is managed within their respective territory.

In our synod, your first call is to Pastor Asplin.

Let’s Connect

Care During Transition

Interim Ministry Guidelines 2023 (Click on link to download full details)

Interim Ministry Guidelines 2024 (Click on link to download full details)

Pastors who provide continuing Word and Sacrament ministries and leadership to congregations in the “between times” fall into one of five types of interim ministries as described below.

Local Interim / Supply

When a local pastor is under call in a neighboring congregation, Congregation Council and pastor agree upon specific ministry tasks.

• Agreement is for an initial three-month period.

• Once agreement is renewed twice - the congregation, pastor, and synod staff discuss future options.

• In most settings, the pastor will serve 20 hours per month.

Transitional Interim

For congregations that expect to move through the call process as expediently as possible.

• The pastor serves for an initial period of three months that is renewable.

• The pastor serves for 20-40 hours per week.

• The pastor is not under call.

Intentional Interim

Appropriate when following a period of conflict or a long pastorate or when a congregation is uncertain about its future.

• Pastor serves the congregation for at least 12 months.

• Pastor serves at least 20 hours per week and up to full time.

• Pastor is either retired or called by Synod Council.

Transitional Called Interim

Initiated by the synod staff and based on availability of pastor who would fit the needs of the congregation.

• Following an abbreviated call process, the congregation issues a two-year term call which will be followed by consideration of an open-ended call to that pastor.

• If the open-ended call is not extended, then the congregation moves to another interim situation at the end of the pastor's two-year term.

Long-Term Interim

Appropriate when congregation is unable to call a pastor.

• The pastor may be retired; in some circumstances the pastor may be called by the Synod Council at the request of the bishop; request for renewal must come annually from the Congregation Council to the synodical bishop.

help for msp forms

The Ministry Site Profile form (MSP) provides congregations (single and multiple point parishes) and church-related organizations (schools, social ministry organizations, healthcare institutions, and agencies) a single, common form to use to describe their mission and their search for a rostered minister. The MSP is filled out by leaders within the congregation or organization, under the guidance of the synod bishop or call process administrator.

Steps for use of the Ministry Site Profile

1. You will be required to create an account in order to open the Ministry Site Profile form and begin work.

2. The MSP is a web-based form. Please save your work frequently as you proceed.

3. When you have completed your MSP, and before you submit it to the MDS, you are encouraged to use the “Download PDF” option to view and review your work. Save a copy of the PDF to your computer. When all is ready, click “Submit.”

4. You and your Call Process Administrator will receive an email confirming that the MSP has been received.

5. The MSP does not become active in the system, however, until your synodical bishop approves the MSP and allows it to be posted.

6. You can go to “Account Access/Ministry Status” on the website to monitor the status of your MSP. This page also has downloadable copies of the two supporting forms (the Seven Reflections and Reference Recommendation forms).

7. If you wish to update the information on your MSP, go to “Account Access” to edit the existing MSP and re-submit it.

8. If your ministry site has more than one opening to be filled by a rostered minister, you must complete an additional MSP to describe this second position and then submit it.