Call Process

The Call Process is that unique and prayerful way by which the synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America engage their congregations, church-related organizations and rostered leaders.

The call process is a time of thoughtful assessment and spiritual discernment of the way God may be drawing each toward the other for mutual ministry for the sake of the mission and ministry of the church. Each of the sixty-five synods of the ELCA is responsible for the management of the call process within the territory of their respective synod.

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 the Rostered Leader Profile form available courtesy of the ELCA Web site, or call the synod office.

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

Sabbatical recommendations

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.

2010 Compensation Guidelines

The 2010 compensation guidelines are provided as a starting point for determining compensation for pastors and lay staff. However, these are only guidelines. They cannot possibly speak to all our congregations with their varying financial and personnel resources and expectations. Download >