| 1.
Pastor resigns. |
| 2.
Synod staff meets with Church Council to determine needs during the vacancy,
explain interim ministry and the call process. |
| 3.
Congregation conducts exit interview with outgoing pastor. |
| 4.
Synod conducts exit interview with outgoing pastor. |
| 5.
Church leaders interview interim candidate(s) provided by the synod. |
| 6.
Church Council, synod staff and interim meet. |
| 7.
Ministry review and assessment continues. |
| 8.
Church Council determines process for completion of Congregational Profile. |
|
9. Following its constitution, the
congregation elects or appoints a Call Committee. |
|
10. Upon completion of profile, synod staff meets
with leaders to review document. |
|
11. Synod staff gives name or names to Call
Committee for interviews (in the case of a candidate for associate pastor, names
are reviewed by the senior pastor before going to the Call Committee). Call
Committee keeps candidate names confidential. |
|
12. Call Committee selection process: 1) one
interview with each candidate; 2) the option to withdraw from the process after
the first interview can be exercised by either party at any point; 3) preaching
and second interviews occur only with the consent of the candidate(s) and Call
Committee. |
|
13. Compensation should be discussed with candidate
of choice prior to Council and congregation vote, using synod guidelines. |
|
14. Call Committee votes to recommend candidate to
Council. |
|
15. Council votes to recommend candidate to
congregation and sets date for congregational meeting according to constitution. |
|
16. Church Council provides an opportunity to meet
candidate at an informal reception prior to congregational meeting. |
|
17. Congregation votes to call by written ballot,
completing Letter of Call and compensation form, and sending documents to synod
office. |
|
18. Bishop signs the Letter of Call and forwards
documents to candidate for his/her acceptance and signature. |
|
19. Candidate receives Letter of Call and has one
month to respond. |
|
20. If candidate accepts call, arrange starting date
and with synod staff, and plan installation. |
|
21. If candidate declines call, process begins with
new candidate(s). |
