Updated 5/6/08

2008 Compensation Guidelines
(PDF document -- click here if you don't have Adobe Acrobat)

Welcome to our synod...
Rev. Robert D. Berg, from Northwest Synod of Wisconsin to ELCA Board of Pensions, Minneapolis, Assistant to the President for Church Relations.

Moving within the synod... 
Rev. David L. Valen, to Christ the King Lutheran Church, Bloomington, Interim Senior Pastor.

Departures/Retirements with Godspeed...
Rev. Daniel D. Buendorf, retired, to Southwestern Minnesota Synod.

Rev. Brian K. Gutzmann, on leave from call, to Saint Paul Area Synod.

Rev. William H. Loughmiller, retired, to Saint Paul Area Synod.

Congregations in transition...
The synod staff supervises about 40 call processes each year for leadership to congregations and other ministries. Interviewing pastors and recommending appropriate candidates, overseeing their integration, providing support, addressing conflicts, and dealing with closure are at the core of synod ministry.

Calvary Ev., Minneapolis, pastor – in call process
Central, Minneapolis, associate – in call process
Christ the King, Bloomington, senior – in call process
El Milagro/The Miracle Church, Minneapolis, pastor – in call process
Epiphany, Minneapolis, pastor – in interim
Faith-Lilac Way, Robbinsdale, senior – calling
First of Crystal, senior – in interim
Gethsemane, Minneapolis, pastor – in interim
Grace, Bloomington, pastor – in call process
Holy Trinity, Minneapolis, pastor – calling
Light of Christ, Delano, associate – in call process
Minnetonka, Minnetonka, senior – in call process
Mt. Calvary, Excelsior, associate – in call process
River of Life, Minneapolis, pastor – in interim
Shepherd of the Lake, Prior Lake, senior – in call process
St. Andrew, Eden Prairie, associates – in call process
St. James, Crystal, senior – in call process
St. John’s Ev, Minneapolis, associate – in call process
Trinity Ev, Watertown, senior – in interim
Zion, Buffalo, senior – in interim

Key:
In interim = In study
In call process = call committee is formed and active
Calling = a final candidate has been selected

Tools for the Call Process
The process by which a rostered leader (pastor, associate in ministry, diaconal minister or deaconess) in this church moves from one call to a new call is commonly referred to as "mobility."  Click here for mobility forms available courtesy of the ELCA Web site, or call the synod office.

An early step in calling a rostered leader is completing a Congregational Mission Profile, a document that describes your congregation's history, ministry, membership, community, and leadership needs. Click here for the Profile Form available via the ELCA Web site, or call the synod office.

Intentional Transitional Ministry
Thank you for your interest in Interim Ministry in the Minneapolis Area Synod. The synod acknowledges the significant impact of transitional ministry in congregational life. The opportunities and challenges of this unique time in the life of a congregation require capable, trained, and experienced Interim Pastors. The Minneapolis Area Synod Interim Ministry Advisory Team include: Rev. Ken DeFor, Rev. Delwayne Hahn, Rev. James Martin, Rev. Louise Mollick, and Rev. Mark Peterson.

If you are considering Interim Ministry or interested in serving in the Minneapolis Area Synod, the first step in the process is to contact Pat Hansen at the synod office, 612-870-3610 or p.hansen@mpls-synod.org.

Below are resources and forms for congregations and interim pastors. 

Interim Agreement Form

Interim Ministry Resume

Interim Pastor's Quarterly Report Form

Congregational Leader's Quarterly Report Form

Evaluation of the Transition Time and Pastor Form

Intentional Interim Pastorates

Sabbatical Recommendations
Click here to view the recommendations for sabbaticals and find online form for application.

"On-leave-from-call" Policy
Upon recommendation of the board of the Division for Ministry and favorable review by the Conference of Bishops, the church Council adopted the following revision to Section I.A.2. in the policy that relates to the granting of the privilege of "on-leave-from-call" status to ordained ministers and those on the official lay rosters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

On-leave-from-call status is not automatically granted. It must be requested and a rationale provided by the rostered minister as to why on-leave-from-call status should be granted. A rostered minister seeking on-leave-from-call status shall make a written request to the synodical bishop within 45 days following the termination of a prior call. Failure to do so may result in removal from the roster.

For more information contact Pat Hansen at the synod office, 612-870-3610 or p.hansen@mpls-synod.org.