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 Handbook
Our call process handbook is provided 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.
2023 Compensation Guidelines
These are used to determine compensation package for rostered ministers for the year 2023.
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:
| Bethlehem Lutheran (Brodhead) | Callie Arendt |
| Bethany Lutheran (Wisconsin Dells) | Rev. Joseph Doegen |
| Faith Lutheran (Janesville) | Rev. Collette Broady-Grund |
Retirements:
| Rev. Kurt Billings from St. James Lutheran (Verona) on September 30, 2023 |
| Rev. Fred Rilling from St. John's Lutheran (Prairie du Sac) on September 3, 2023 |
Ordinations:
| Callie Arendt | Thursday, October 5, 2023 - 2:00 p.m. @ First Lutheran Church (Freeport, IL) | Callie has been called to serve as pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran in Brodhead. |
Ministries in Transition
Lists Current as of September 29, 2023
Ministries in a Time of Discernment:
| Holy Trinity Lutheran (Marshall) | Interim: Rev. Brent Walsworth |
| Rockdale Lutheran (Cambridge) | Interims: Rev. Linda & Rev. Loren Schumacher |
| Deerfield Lutheran (Deerfield) | Interim: Rev. Rich Johnson |
New Vacancies:
| St. James Lutheran (Verona) | 9/30/2023 |
| St. Paul Lutheran (Beloit) | Interim: Rev. Michael Rahlf - 9/27/2023 |
| St Luke’s Lutheran (Middleton) - Senior Pastor & Associate Pastor | Interim: Rev. Naomi Garber - 9/20/2023 |
| Christ Lutheran (Lancaster) / St. Paul (Burton) | Interim: Rev. Charlotte Eversoll - 9/15/2023 |
| St. John's Lutheran (Prairie du Sac) - Senior Pastor | 9/3/2023 |
Transition Team & Developing of Ministry Profile:
| Adams Lutheran (Argyle) | Interim: Rev. Erich Hartenberger-10/1/2022 |
| Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran (New Glarus) | Interim: Rev. Erich Hartenberger-10/1/2022 |
| St. Peter Lutheran (Fennimore) & St. Johns Lutheran (Boscobel) | Interim: Rev. Mark Peters - 12/15/2022 |
| Primrose Lutheran (Belleville) | Interim: Rev. Chris Farrow (Bridge Pastor) - 3/15/2022 |
| St. Peters Lutheran (Loganville) | Interim: Rev. Julie Krahn - 1/1/2023 |
Preparing for Call Process:
Preparing Candidate(s) for Interviewing:
| Vermont Lutheran (Black Earth) | Interim: Rev. Rebecca Clancy - 3/28/2023 |
| Redeemer Lutheran (Rio) | Interim: Rev. Jack Way - 4/26/2021 |
Interviewing:
| McFarland Lutheran (McFarland) | *Senior Pastor Call |
| Messiah Lutheran (Madison) | *Associate Pastor Call |
