Call Process Booklet

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Dear Friends in Christ, The journey— from saying goodbye, through the interim task and extending a call, to beginning strong— can be an anxious time, yet it is also an opportunity to look forward to the future that God is calling you into. These pages were created to assist congregations in the transition period between called pastors. This interim period can be an anxious time, but I pray that congregations use this time as an opportunity to look forward to the future into which God has called you. In these pages you will find information about three phases in this transition: 1. Saying goodbye and ending well 2. Entering into the interim task through extending a call 3. Beginning strong In the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we believe that it is our Lord Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, who guides the call process. We trust that the Spirit works with and through pastoral candidates, congregations, and synods— and when these three agree, we are bold to say that we have discerned the will of God. Know that pastoral transitions are a regular and natural occurrence in the life of a congregation. During the interim period, congregations have a pastor dedicated to the specialized ministry of leading communities of faith through a process of prayer, reflection, and self-discovery to discern what God is calling them to be and to do. The synod staff is also specifically trained in this work and will partner with Call Committees and Congregation Councils to find appropriate pastoral leadership. Healthy pastors and healthy congregations looking forward in mission is our goal. We hold congregations in prayer during this time of transition in weekly staff devotions, and we covet your daily prayers that God will guide the process and strengthen our partnership in the gospel for the sake of the world. In Christ, Rev. Dr. Duane C. Pederson, 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
God’s work. Our hands. Table of Contents Overview Page 1 The Call Process Page 1 Theological Background Page 3 Overview—Things to DoPage 5 Words of Encouragement Page 5 Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Timing Page 6 Overview Resources Page 8 Suggested Prayers Page 9 Healthy Transitions Page 10 Saying Goodbye Page 10 Model Covenant for Congregations Page 11 Model Covenant for Departing Pastor Page 12 Model Covenant for Departing Family Page 13 Model Covenant for Arriving Pastor Page 14 Bibliography Page 15 Passages Bible Study Page 16 Ending Well Page 21 Thanksgiving and Praise Page 21 Ending Well—Step by StepPage 22 Ending Well—Things to DoPage 23 Words of Encouragement Page 25 Ending Well Resources Page 28 Suggested Prayers Page 29 Sample Service of Farewell and Godspeed Page 30 Exit Interview of Pastor by Congregation Council Page 32 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 i
Page 1: Call Process Booklet
Page 5 and 6: Candidate Nomination Form Page 93
Page 7 and 8: Overview God’s work. Our hands. T
Page 9 and 10: Theological Background Adapted from
Page 11 and 12: Overview—Things To Do Congregatio
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
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A Sample Message for the Congregati
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The Interim God’s work. Our hands
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• The congregation president and
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Why Can’t We Call Our Interim Pas
Page 61 and 62:
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
Page 101 and 102:
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
Page 109 and 110:
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
Page 115 and 116:
Disengagement from the Interim Peri
Page 117 and 118:
- the installation will be done at
Page 119 and 120:
If you are not able to schedule the
Page 121 and 122:
Words of Encouragement The beginnin
Page 123 and 124:
Suggested Prayers The church: Graci
Page 125 and 126:
A Litany of Farewell for the Interi
Page 127 and 128:
Sample Installation Invitation to C
Page 129 and 130:
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
Page 139 and 140:
from the Ministry Site Profiles tha
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God’s work. Our hands. Shalom •
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