Updated 6/1909

2009 Compensation Guidelines
(PDF document -- click here if you don't have Adobe Acrobat)

New to the synod... 
Ms. Kirsten Kessel, diaconal minister, consecrated May 14, 2009, to Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth, diaconal minister of mission and service ministries.

Rev. Susan Masters, ordained June 13, 2009, to Bread of Life Lutheran Church for the Deaf, Minneapolis, pastor.

Rev. Ralph F. Strand, retired, from Southeastern Minnesota Synod.

Moving within the synod...
Rev. Jeffrey Smith, from Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, to Glen Cary Lutheran Church, Ham Lake, associate pastor.

Rev. Mark B. Peterson, from on leave from call, to Community Emergency Services, Minneapolis, interim executive director.

Departures/Retirements with Godspeed...
Rev. John R. Bohnsack, ordained June 3, 1973, retired June 1, 2009.

Rev. Howard A. Skulstad, ordained July 25, 1971, retired June 1, 2009.

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.

CONGREGATIONS IN INTERIM:
Crown of Glory, Chaska, senior
East Union, Carver, pastor
Elim, Robbinsdale, senior
First of Crystal, Brooklyn Park, senior
Good Shepherd, Minneapolis, senior
Jordan New Life, Minneapolis, pastor
Long Lake, Isanti, senior
Mount Olive, Minneapolis, pastor
Master, Brooklyn Center, pastor
Nativity, Minneapolis, associate
Zion, Anoka, senior
Zion, Buffalo, associate
 
CONGREGATIONS IN ACTIVE CALL PROCESS:
All Saints, Minnetonka, associate
Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Park, senior
Bethany, Minneapolis, pastor
Christ the King, Bloomington, associate
Normandale Ev., Edina, senior
Our Saviour’s, East Bethel, visitation
Our Saviour’s, Minneapolis, senior
Resurrection, Monticello, pastor
Saron, Big Lake, pastor
St. John’s Ev, Mound, associate
Trinity Ev, Watertown, senior
Zion, Buffalo, senior

CONGREGATIONS CALLING FINAL CANDIDATE:
Norwegian Memorial, Minneapolis, pastor
Shepherd of the Hills, Hopkins, senior
St. Luke’s, Bloomington, associate

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. Louise Mollick, Rev. Mark Peterson, Rev. Karri Anderson, Rev. Chris Hagen, and Rev. Jim Nelson.

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.