Call Process Booklet

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“To obtain such faith God instituted the office of the ministry, that is, provided the Gospel and sacraments. Through these he gives the Holy Spirit, who works faith, when and where he pleases, in those who hear the Gospel.” Article V, AC “Nobody should publicly teach or preach or administer the sacraments in the church without a regular call.” All Christians are called to the ministry of serving God and neighbor, but for the sake of good order in the church certain Christians are specially called to the ordained ministry of Word and Sacrament.” Article XIV, AC The Call to Ministry It is through the church that God calls some Christians to ordained ministry. Once that call is discerned, the candidate normally devotes years to study, training, and preparation under the guidance of the whole church through the Bishop and the Candidacy Committee. In a similar way, it is through the church that God calls ordained ministers to a specific pastorate. Not only does the local congregation participate in the call process, but so does the whole church through the office of the Bishop. Just as the whole church took an active role in the call to ordination, so now the whole church takes an active role in the call to a specific ministry. This is shown by the fact that once a person is approved for ordination, the candidate must receive and accept a call to a specific ministry in order to be ordained. Ordination may occur in a local congregation, but it is always an ordination by the whole church as shown in the presence of the Bishop at the ordination service. The Church and Call The local congregation is fully the church, but the local congregation is not all the church there is. The local congregation calls a person to be its pastor, but the whole church has a stake in who is called and how the call process is handled. The Call Committee, the Congregation Council and, eventually, the entire congregation participate fully in the process. And so does the Bishop, who represents both the interest and the commitment of the whole church in seeing that the pastor called is suited to ministry under the call that is extended. The Bishop’s office has a deep concern for the well being of the congregation’s life and ministry. The Bishop and synod staff also have a deep concern for the person and gifts of the prospective pastor. In the call process, the Bishop and staff, the congregation, and the prospective pastor work together with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to bring about a new partnership that is faithful to the Gospel, empowers the local congregation in its ministry, and strengthens the whole church as people of God. Page 4 Walking together † for the sake of mission † in God’s world 944 24 ¼ Street • PO Box 107 • Chetek, WI 54728 • 715-859-6810 • Fax 715-859-6812 • www.nwswi.org
Overview—Things To Do Congregation Council • Pray. Pray prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for comfort and guidance, prayers of patience, prayers for steady leadership through this time of transition, and prayers pertaining to your own congregation’s unique circumstances. Pray. • The president of the congregation notifies the Bishop of a pastoral vacancy. As soon as possible, call the synod office: 715.859.6810. • Study the process for calling a new pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and in the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin: www.elca.org/call www.nwswi.org/call • Be ready for a busy month! God’s work. Our hands. Words of Encouragement For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jeremiah 29.11 “Don’t Panic!” Douglas Adams Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4.4–7 “Only connect.” E.M. Forster “I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him, but instead the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy, and kept me in the true faith, just as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one common, true faith.” From Martin Luther’s explanation of the third article of the creed Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” John 20:21 Walking together † for the sake of mission † in God’s world 944 24 ¼ Street • PO Box 107 • Chetek, WI 54728 • 715-859-6810 • Fax 715-859-6812 • www.nwswi.org Page 5
Page 1 and 2: Call Process Booklet
Page 3 and 4: God’s work. Our hands. Table of C
Page 5 and 6: Candidate Nomination Form Page 93
Page 7 and 8: Overview God’s work. Our hands. T
Page 9: Theological Background Adapted from
Page 13 and 14: Ending well Discovering God’s fut
Page 15 and 16: Suggested Prayers From ELW Evening
Page 17 and 18: Model Covenant for Congregations [C
Page 19 and 20: Model Covenant for Departing Family
Page 21 and 22: Bibliography Guiding Your Church St
Page 23 and 24: Bible Reading St. Paul’s letter t
Page 25 and 26: A Prayer for Beginnings Read throug
Page 27 and 28: Ending Well God’s work. Our hands
Page 29 and 30: Ending Well—Things To Do Congrega
Page 31 and 32: Words of Encouragement “Ending we
Page 33 and 34: God’s work. Our hands. Walking to
Page 35 and 36: Suggested Prayers For Guidance: Dir
Page 37 and 38: A local leader or a member of synod
Page 39 and 40: 6. List the congregation’s greate
Page 41 and 42: 7. Have you made sure that all cong
Page 43 and 44: Certification of Completion of Fina
Page 45 and 46: Pension and Other Benefits Workshee
Page 47 and 48: this will be with the concurrence o
Page 49 and 50: Together the congregation and Inter
Page 51 and 52: H. Reimburse expenses related to ou
Page 53 and 54: A Sample Message for the Congregati
Page 55 and 56: The Interim God’s work. Our hands
Page 57 and 58: • The congregation president and
Page 59 and 60: Why Can’t We Call Our Interim Pas
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Ministry and Programs • Describe
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Calling an Associate/Assistant to S
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isk to the congregation is possible
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Using the Mobility Database System
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Some Tips on Filling Out the MSP
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Moving from Reflection to Engagemen
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Preparing for the Interview Advance
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Discipleship • What type of plan
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The Interim—Things To Do Congrega
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Words of Encouragement The interim
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Suggested Prayers Enlightenment of
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The minister questions the interim
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AFor all who fear God and believe i
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3. Together we will develop a visio
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Congregation Quarterly Report of th
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7. Together we will be involved in
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Call Committee Devotions These devo
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II. In Calling a Pastor, We Conside
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IV. In Calling a Pastor, We Conside
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Candidate Nomination Form The task
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Call Committee Report of Interview
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Sample Letter Following Candidate I
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Sample Congregational Meeting Agend
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Report of the Vote to Extend a Lett
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Sample Letter Following a Successfu
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Walking together † for the sake o
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Beginning Strong God’s work. Our
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Disengagement from the Interim Peri
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- the installation will be done at
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If you are not able to schedule the
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Words of Encouragement The beginnin
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Suggested Prayers The church: Graci
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A Litany of Farewell for the Interi
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Sample Installation Invitation to C
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P Will you give faithful witness in
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Presentation of the Symbols As a hy
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Appendix A God’s work. Our hands.
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Identifying Broken Things Ministry
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2. a new database to house informat
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from the Ministry Site Profiles tha
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God’s work. Our hands. Shalom •
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Call Process Booklet

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