Call Process & Transitions
The time of calling a pastor can be a special time for reflection and prayer in the life of a congregation. Prayer, bible study, and regular devotions keep the leadership spiritually centered as it guides the congregation in grieving its loss, assessing the current congregational strengths and weaknesses, creating a vision for mission and ministry, and calling a new pastor.
Has your pastor recently announced their resignation to your congregation? The first step is for the congregational president to reach out to the Synod Office by phone or email. Our office will be your first contact person from the synod in accompanying your congregation throughout the transition process alongside the Synod Office Mobility Team.
Resources
Call Process
For congregations who are beginning the call process the synod is a congregation’s partner throughout the holy process. We will provide a call process handbook for a congregation’s reference during this time of transition. Please contact the synod office to begin transition work. At that point details will be shared as a congregation begins their transition time knowing that each congregation’s process will be very different from one another.
2026 Compensation Guidelines
These are used to determine compensation package for rostered ministers for the year 2026.
Installation Guide
This guide for the installation of a new rostered minister will help congregations in discernment and planning of the installation.
Installation Service for a Pastor
This order is appropriate for installing a pastor who has been previously ordained. The bishop, or designee designated by the bishop, presides at the installation of a pastor.
Congregational Vitality & The Life Cycle of Congregations
A video resource presented by Rev. Walter Baires, Associate to the Bishop & Director for Evangelical Mission
Mobility
Accepted New Calls:
- Rev. Brian Ferguson to St. Luke’s Lutheran (Middleton) as Sr. Pastor
- Rev. Jason Hill to Primrose Lutheran (Belleville) & Brooklyn Lutheran (Brooklyn)
- Wade Crevier to Jefferson Prairie Lutheran (Poplar Grove, IL)
Retirements:
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Ordinations:
- Rev. James Ranney (September 28, 2025). Pastor Ranney has been called to serve Two Steeples Parish in Mount Horeb.
Ministries in Transition
Lists Current as of September 30, 2025
Vacancies:
- Orfordville Lutheran (Orfordville)
- Luther Valley Lutheran (Beloit)
- Our Savior’s Lutheran (Beloit)
- United in Christ Lutheran (Morrisonville)
- Christ Lutheran (Spring Green)
- Evangelical Lutheran Church (Mount Horeb) – Interim Pastor: Rev. Karen Hofstad
Ministries Exploring Mission:
- Bonnet Prairie Lutheran (Rio)
- Deerfield Lutheran (Deerfield)
Transition Team & Developing of Ministry Profile:
- Norway Grove Lutheran (DeForest) – Interim Pastor: Rev. Carol Baumgartner
- Our Savior’s Lutheran (Sun Prairie)
Preparing for Call Process:
- Central Lutheran (Edgerton) – Interim Pastor: Rev. Jack Way
Preparing Candidate(s) for Interviewing:
- Zion Lutheran (Horicon) / St. Michaels Lutheran (Hustisford)
- Vermont Lutheran (Black Earth) – Interim Pastor: Rev. Rebecca Clancy
- St. Paul Lutheran (Beloit) – Interim Pastor: Rev. Amy Waelchli
- Good Shepherd Lutheran (Madison & Verona) Senior – Interim Pastor: Rev. Craig Jan-McMahon
Interviewing Candidates:
- Trinity Lutheran (Fort Atkinson)
- St. Peter Lutheran (Fennimore) & St. Johns Lutheran (Boscobel)
- St. James Lutheran (Verona) – Interim Pastor: Rev. Jerry Buss
