Call Process
Call Process is the unique and prayerful way by which the synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America engage their congregations, church-related organizations and rostered ministers (pastors and ELCA deacons) in a time of thoughtful assessment and spiritual discernment of the way God may be drawing each toward the other for mutual ministry for the sake of the mission and ministry of the church. Each of the sixty-five synods of the ELCA is responsible for the management of the call process within the territory of their respective synod.
- Listing of congregations currently in the call process
- Resources for Congregations and church-related organizations that are entering into the call process
- Resources for Rostered Leaders interested in making themselves available for call
Resources for Congregations
The call process begins when the congregation notifies synod staff of the resignation or retirement of the rostered leader serving the congregation or the desire to call an additional leader. A synod staff member will be appointed to meet with your council and walk with the congregation through the call process.
Documents and Links:
- Overview of the Call Process (pdf)
- Ministry Site Profile Site (MSP)
- This link above will take you to the ELCA.org MSP landing page.
- To be taken to MSP login page, click on the Ministry Sites tab on the MSP landing page and follow the directions for establishing an account and completing the MSP for your congregation. You are required to have an account in order to begin creating the MSP.
- The MSP is a web-based form, so please save your work frequently.
- When you have completed your MSP, and before you submit it to the Mobility Database System (MDS), you are encouraged to use the Download PDF option to view and review your work.
- Save a copy of the PDF to your computer.
- When all is ready, click Submit.
- The MSP does not become active in the system, until your synodical bishop approves the MSP and allows it to be posted. At that time, the document will be shared with potential candidates.
- Compensation Guidelines & Compensation Calculator
- Click here to redirect to Congregation Forms.
- Definition of Benefits, Compensation and Responsibility Forms
- ELCA Compensation and Benefits for a Pastor Form
- ELCA Compensation and Benefits for a Pastor Guide
- ELCA Compensation and Benefits for an ELCA Deacon Form
- ELCA Compensation and Benefits for an ELCA Deacon Guide
Resources for Rostered Ministers
In order to be considered for call, rostered ministers must complete a Rostered Minister Profile (RMP) that can be shared by synod staff with congregations in the call process. RMPs are completed and submitted online. Once submitted, the forms are available to the whole church, but if you have indicated synods of preference, they will receive a notification that your paperwork is available and that you have indicated interest in their synod.
Begin your RMP (Select the Rostered Minister Tab on the left)
A searchable database of openings in ELCA congregations and organizations is available.
Search for Current Openings
Congregations in the Call Process
Openings for Rostered Ministers (Pastors and Deacons):
- Beach Lutheran Parish-Beach, Sentinel Butte & Wibaux (pastor, full-time)
- Calvary Lutheran, Lemmon, SD (pastor, part-time)
- Christ Lutheran, Minot
- English, Tuttle/Bethany, Robinson (pastor, part-time)
- First Lutheran, Granville; Norwich Lutheran, Norwich (pastor, full-time)
- First Lutheran, Watford City (pastor, full-time)
- Hope, Surrey (pastor, full-time)
- Lutheran Church of the Cross, Bismarck (associate pastor, full-time)
- Napoleon/Kintyre Trinity Lutheran Parish, Napoleon & Kintyre (pastor, part-time)
- Nazareth Lutheran, Kenmare (pastor, part-time)
- North Prairie Lutheran Parish-Garden Lutheran & Banks Lutheran, Watford City (pastor, full-time)
- Prairie Hope Ministries-English, Maxbass; Trinity, Westhope; Dovre, Newburg (pastor, full-time)
- Prairie Lutheran Parish – American & Knife River Lutheran in Stanley, Bethlehem Lutheran in Ross, Palermo Lutheran in Palermo
- Saron, Minot (pastor, part-time)
- St. Olaf, Turtle Lake; Our Savior’s, Mercer (pastor, full-time)
- St. Paul Lutheran, Butte & Hope Lutheran, Sawyer (pastor)
- Sunne Lutheran, Wilton (pastor, full-time)
- Tri-Parish of New Hope, Upham; Zion, Towner; First, Willow City (pastor, full-time)