STEP 10: WELCOMING A NEW ROSTERED MINISTER!

• Congratulations! Calling a rostered minister is a long process of discernment, and with God's help, you've come this far! Take a moment to celebrate the good work of your committee and to thank God's Holy Spirit for the guidance and wisdom.
• Plan for a good beginning with the incoming minister including:
  • Move-in date—how can the congregation be helpful in getting the rostered minister and their family settled?
  • Official start date—sometimes the first day of pay and the first day of responsibility will be different to allow time for the minister to get moved in.
  • Celebratory acknowledgment and welcome usually on the minister's first

IDEAS FOR A WELCOME:

Give gifts cards of local shops and restaurants to get to know the community

Purchase any worship supplies (worship folders, stoles, microphones, etc.) needed for them to be at their best in worship.

Organize activities where people can gather and meet and greet the rostered minister and their family. Bonfires at local homes; potluck nights where congregation members sign up; etc.

Call committee does a laying on of hands welcome blessing to welcome them in a worship service.

• The congregation president or designee contacts Portico to initiate benefits The rostered minister should also contact Portico. (Porticobenefits.org)
• The rostered minister should have a Letter of Call in hand before starting their ministry. Please contact the synod office (genellenetland@cord.edu) to initiate this process.
• New contact information should be submitted to the synod and arrangements made for the rostered minister to join the congregation. Make sure the rostered minister (and family) joins the faith community as a member! Have them be a part of the faith community’s new member
• The newly called minister will reach out to the bishop to schedule a date for the official installation (NOTE: This may be weeks after the actual start date.) If this is a first-call candidate, they also need to arrange for their ordination with the bishop.
• The Call Committee completes the Call Process Evaluation form. This important final step will allow your synod staff to constantly improve our work with the congregations of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod. Thank you!