Call Process
Information for Congregations in Call Process
The purpose of the Support to Ministries Committee of the South Dakota Synod is to walk with congregations as they begin, work through, and complete the search for new church leadership. The committee is represented by each of the seven conferences of the South Dakota Synod, one ordained and one lay representative from each conference.
Steps in Seeking a New Pastor:
Download Call Process Outline
Download Call Process Booklet
1. Inform the synod office of your pastoral/rostered leader opening
2. Arrange for pastoral/rostered leader assistance during the transition
- Parish council president contacts the synod office to arrange Interim ministry
- Interim Ministry Manual
- Appropriate Objectives for Interim Period
- Covenant of Conduct for Congregations
- A list of contacts available for pulpit supply can be found on the Congregation Resources Page.
3. Learn about yourself and the direction the Holy Spirit is leading
- Create a call committee according to your constitution representing members in your parish
- Review your congregation’s constitution/parish agreements
- Complete a ministry site profile about your parish
4. Ministry site study (formally called parish study)
- Representatives from the synod office and your conference meet with your congregation
- Your congregation tells Support to Ministries about the kind of ministry you want and need
5. Candidates names and profiles
- Synod staff and members of Support to Ministries Committee consider possible names
- Candidate profiles are sent to the call committee for review.
- The call committee considers the profiles of candidate(s)
- The call committee sets up interviews with candidate(s)
- Call committee and candidate interview
8. Prayer and Reflection
- Council acts on the recommendation of the call committee
- Instructions for Submitting Call Documents
- Definition of Compensation, Benefits, and Responsibilities
- 2012 Compensation and Guidelines
- For Pastor with Instructions
- For Associate in Ministry, Deaconess, or Diaconal Minister with Instructions
- The official Letter of Call to be signed by the bishop can be requested from the synod office by calling contacting Susan Marone at 605/274-4022 or Crystal McCormick at 605/274-4024.
- Council may reject recommendation and return to interview process
- Council may call a congregational meeting
- The congregation votes on the candidate
- If pastor/candidate says no – the call committee goes back to the candidate profiles and begins again
- The pastor and congregation begin their mutual commitment in ministry together
If you have any questions about your congregation’s call process or the above forms, please contact Susan Marone, AIM at 605/274-4022 or Crystal McCormick, Candidacy and Mobility Office Coordinator at 605/274-4024.
Summary Plan Description
ELCA Heath Benefits
ELCA-Primary Coverage
Effective January 1, 2011
For more information on ELCA Health Benefits for ELCA-primary members, a booklet is available for your information of the ELCA Board of Pensions website.
Congregations in Transition
Ministry Sites Accepting Candidate Names
Brandon, Brandon/Split Rock (senior) #
Dimock, St. John (solo) # *
Humboldt, St. Paul (renewing congregation) # *
Huron, Our Savior’s (solo) #
Rapid City, South Canyon (associate) *
Sioux Falls, Holy Cross (senior) #
Sturgis, Grace (solo) #
Vermillion, Luther Center at USD (part-time campus pastor) #
Watertown, Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer (senior) #
Ministry Site Study to be Scheduled
Miller, Trinity (solo)
Renner, Renner (solo) # – thru 12/2012
Sioux Falls, Our Savior’s (senior) #
Spearfish, Our Savior’s
Tea, Trinity (senior)
# Interim Contract in place
* First Call Site
Calls Extended
Kevin Bergeson – Bethlehem, Aberdeen *
Jacquelyn Braun – Christ, Salem *
Installations
Michael Mortvedt – Dell Rapids, Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids – May 27, 2012 at 8:45 & 10:45 a.m.
Steven Martens – Elk Point, Brule Creek/Vermillion, Dalesburg – July 1, 2012
Ordinations/Commissioning
Jeanette Clark – St. Paul’s, Minneapolis, MN – May 22, 2012 at 6 p.m.
Jacquelyn Braun – Ascension, Brookings – July 13, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Congregations that have voted to leave the ELCA
List of Congregations that have voted or are in the process of voting to leave the ELCA.
(Updated 4/17/12)
