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.
2024 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:
| McFarland Lutheran (McFarland) | Rev. Peter Erickson, Senior Pastor - 4/7/2024 |
Retirements:
Ordinations:
| Jen Watson | Ordination as Minister of Word & Service on April 27, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Hope Lutheran (Milton). | Jen has been called to serve as a deacon at Hope Lutheran (Milton). |
Ministries in Transition
Lists Current as of April 10, 2024
Ministries in a Time of Discernment:
| Holy Trinity Lutheran (Marshall) | Interim: Rev. Brent Walsworth |
| Rockdale Lutheran (Cambridge) | |
| Deerfield Lutheran (Deerfield) | Interim: Rev. Rich Johnson |
New Vacancies:
| Bethel Lutheran (Madison) | Transition Lead Pastor: Rev. Lauren Wrightsman (4/3/2024) |
| Zion Lutheran (Horicon) / St. Michaels Lutheran (Hustisford) | 3/10/2024 |
| Faith Lutheran (Columbus) | 1/7/2024 |
| Good Shepherd Lutheran (Madison & Verona) - Senior | 1/1/2024 |
| Bonnet Prairie Lutheran (Rio) | 12/1/2023 |
| St. James Lutheran (Verona) | Interim: Rev. Jerry Buss (2/4/2024) |
| St. Paul Lutheran (Beloit) | Interim: Rev. Michael Rahlf (9/27/2023) |
Transition Team & Developing of Ministry Profile:
| St Luke’s Lutheran (Middleton) - Senior & Associate | Interims: Rev. Naomi Garber (Sr) - 9/1/2023 & Rev. Julie Krahn (Assoc) - 12/1/2023 |
| St. John's Lutheran (Prairie du Sac) - Senior Pastor | Interim: Rev. Jason Hill - 11/1/2023 |
| Christ Lutheran (Lancaster) / St. Paul (Burton) | Interim: Rev. Charlotte Eversoll - 9/15/2023 |
| St. Peter Lutheran (Fennimore) & St. Johns Lutheran (Boscobel) | Interim: Rev. Mark Peters - 12/15/2022 |
| Adams Lutheran (Argyle) | Interim: Rev. Erich Hartenberger-10/1/2022 |
| Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran (New Glarus) | Interim: Rev. Erich Hartenberger-10/1/2022 |
Preparing for Call Process:
| St. Peters Lutheran (Loganville) | |
| Primrose Lutheran (Belleville) | Rev. Chris Farrow (Bridge Pastor) - 3/15/2022 |
Preparing Candidate(s) for Interviewing:
| St. John Lutheran (Reedsburg) | Interims: Rev Beth Voigt & Rev. Don Glanzer |
| Vermont Lutheran (Black Earth) | Interim: Rev. Rebecca Clancy - 3/28/2023 |
Interviewing:
| Redeemer Lutheran (Rio) | Interim: Rev. Jack Way - 4/26/2021 |
