Call Process Booklet

Model Covenant for Congregations
[Congregation letterhead]
As Christians we are all baptized into the priesthood of Christ to offer ourselves to the Lord of the Church in
thanksgiving for what he has done and continues to do for us. It has been our privilege to recognize and
support the mission and ministry of _______________________ (name) as pastor of ____________________
(congregation) at ____________________ (place).
The Congregation Council on behalf of the congregation has in prayerful conversation discussed the intent of
the Healthy Transition documents of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin and enter into the following
covenant:
We promise:
1. to pray for the ongoing mission of our congregation and
2. for our pastoral leadership past, present and future; and
3. to respect the terms of the attached covenant of Rev. _______________________ (name); and
4. to interpret the terms of the Covenant to the congregation; and
5. to incorporate the Covenant in the minutes of a called Congregation Council meeting; and
6. to communicate in writing and conversation the terms of the Covenant which terminates the pastoral
relationship with named pastor; and
7. to refrain from asking the former pastor to perform pastoral functions and to remind members likewise to
refrain from making requests; and
8. to show respect and regard for our new pastoral leader (interim and successor) by allowing them to
perform their pastoral duties; and
9. to encourage members to come to the new pastoral leader; and
10. to celebrate what will be as we honor what was; and further
11. to ____________________________________________________________________________________
It is understood that this covenant does not affect or require termination of friendships with individuals in this
congregation.
Date: ____________________
Pastor: _________________________________ (signature)
Congregation Council President: _________________________________ (signature)
Congregation Council Secretary: _________________________________ (signature)
Date witnessed by Congregation Council: _________
Date shared with congregation: _________
Attested to by: __________________________________ (Representative of Synod or Bishop)
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
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