Recommending a Candidate for Call

The call committee should contact the rostered minister to inform them that they have been identified as the final candidate for the call.

In consultation with the candidate, the call committee presents a summary of their recommendation to the congregation council.

Confidentiality remains extremely important at this stage.

Both the call committee and the church council must keep the candidate’s name confidential until the appropriate time in the process.

After the council approves the nomination, the congregation should follow the procedures outlined in its constitution for moving forward in the call process.

The candidate and church council meet to agree on:

• Compensation package
  
  • Word and Sacrament (Pastors)
     
  • Word and Service (Deacons)
     
• Proposed start date
   
• Other details related to beginning ministry
   

A synod staff member must review the compensation package before the congregation votes on the call.

To assist with this process, an Excel spreadsheet with built-in formulas is available to help calculate compensation and benefits.

Note: Compensation amounts may be adjusted later by the rostered minister and council after the call is in place, typically during a regularly scheduled council meeting.

If the candidate agrees to move forward with the call, they must withdraw from any other call processes in which they are currently participating.

Once the 604.20 background check is complete, the church council schedules a special congregational meeting for the congregation to vote on extending a call to the pastor or deacon.