The Call Process
How does a congregation discern the will of God in finding a rostered leader (Pastor, Diaconal Minister, Deaconess or Associate in Ministry) to help lead them in the mission to which God has called them? How does a rostered leader discern the will of God in finding a congregation who is searching for a leader with the gifts God has given him/her? These are the tasks of the Synod call process.
ELCA Congregations
Your time in prayerful discernment, perhaps under the guidance of an interim pastor, is to review the mission that God has for your congregation. This may include discovering a new purpose and guiding principles that will lead you into a new chapter of your life and work. As part of this discernment you will be asked to complete online a Mission Site Profile, MSP, which will help your congregation tell its story and remind it of the gifts God has given them. The MSP also serves as a way that you may be introduced to potential rostered leaders. Synod staff will guide you throughout the call process, so any time you are seeking a new rostered leader your first call is to your Synod office.
ELCA Pastors, Diaconal Ministers, Deaconesses,
and Associates in Ministry
Your time in prayerful discernment includes reviewing the gifts God has given you for mission. What bring you joy in ministry? What do you find challenging? If you are considering a new call your first step is to have a conversation with your Bishop or the Assistant to the Bishop. Either can help you in this discernment. To enter a call process you must complete online a Rostered Leader Profile, RLP. This serves as a summary of who you are as a pastor and how you believe God is calling you to serve. Once your RLP has been activated you can go to the ELCA website, www.elca.org/call, enter your personal information, and begin to look at congregations that have completed their MSPs and are seeking a rostered leader. A short paragraph is written about each one. If you are interested in serving in the Eastern Washington – Idaho Synod, check our monthly newsletter, “The Cross Connection” on this website, as well. Each congregation in a call process is listed. Because of clear partnership agreements, congregations and the Synod office work together in calling Pastors, Diaconal Ministers, Deaconesses and Associates in Ministry. Rostered persons who may be interested in any of this Synod’s mission sites shall contact the Synod office (S13.11.01) and not the congregation directly. The Bishop or Assistant can give you clear information about where each congregation is in the call process and answer your questions.
God’s blessings to you as you are about this careful work. Together we pray that God’s will is done and that the church continues to grow.
Rev. Mark J. Nelson,
Assistant to Bishop Wells
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