"...to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" -- Ephesians 4:12
Pastoral leader transition steps
"Our pastor has resigned. What should we do first? What help can we expect? How can we grow through this change and look forward to an even brighter future with a new pastor?"
The Southeastern Pennsylvania has established a process for helping congregations and pastoral leaders achieve healthy transitions. The process is designed to ensure healthy closure with an outgoing leader, assist the congregation in assessing its needs and beging the developmental tasks of the interim period, and move into interviewing candidates and calling a new pastor.
Detailed process documents are being revised and will be availale soon. Please contact the Dean of you conference for further details.
Step one: The Process Begins
In this step the congregation closes with the outgoing leader and the Synod assists in reviewing the process and determining interim ministry needs.
Step two: Interim Ministry Begins
In this step an interim pastor is engaged, the congregation's needs are assessed and books are audited, and the council determines the call process option and appoints a call committee.
Step three: Call Committee's Tasks
The call committee considers candidates presented by the Synod, interviews candidates and recommends a candidate to the church council.
Step four: Call Is Issued
A congregational meeting is called to approve the calling of the notified candidate.
Step five: Process Concludes
The candidate accepts the call, the congregation concludes with the interim pastor, and the new pastor arrives.
For more information about your congregation's process contact the assistant to the bishop who relates to your conference.
Related items
Vocations Staff
The Rev. Larry Hand
Assistant to the Bishop for Vocations and Leadership
Pastor Hand's responsibilities include mobility, the interim ministry network, candidacy for rostered leadership, and coordinating the committee of deans. He relates to the Chester, Lower Montgomery and Upper Montgomery conferences.
Contact: 267.323.3756 |
Bill Harp
Bill provides administrative support to the Asst. to the Bishop, Rev. Dr. Larry Hand and SEPA's Vocations and Leadership initiatives, including Candidacy, Mobility, Interim Ministry, Pulpit Supply and Leadership Development.Contact: 267.323.3744 |
Upcoming Related Events
Vocations and Leadership Links
- ELCA.org > Leadership
- ELCA.org > Become a Leader
- ELCA.org > Candidacy
- ELCA.org > Call process
- ELCA.org > Mobility
Related News
Convocation explores Christianity at the Crossroads
Do you feel the ground shifting beneath your feet? Denominational loyalty is disappearing, replaced by new ranks of the “spiritual but not religious.” People mix and match from various spiritual traditions. Christianity is truly at a crossroads. Explore the upheaval around us at the 2010 Bishop’s Convocation with Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence, and Stephen Bouman of the ELCA’s Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission unit, Monday, Nov. 15 to Wednesday, Nov. 17 at the DoubleTree Resort (Lancaster/Willow Valley). Reduced price registration through Oct. 1. For more information visit www.ministrylink.org/convocation.
Healthy Boundaries workshop for rostered leaders
Rostered leaders are invited to “Healthy Boundaries,” a workshop on misconduct prevention and SEPA Synod policy, on Wednesday, September 22, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Havertown. This free workshop is required for rostered leaders new to our Synod and those who have not yet attended the Synod’s prevention and policy workshop.
Join Bishop Burkat for annual Chrism service
On Tuesday of Holy Week, it is our tradition to gather for a service of Word and Sacrament, for blessing of oil, and renewal of ministry vows. The Chrism Service is a time for pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers to revisit and renew promises made at ordination/commissioning/consecration, and blessings for congregational deacons to honor their local ministries. It’s also a time to worship our Lord and be strengthened and renewed as we prepare to lead the faithful to the Cross and Resurrection. This year we will gather at St. Paul’s, Olney, on March 30, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
Rostered leaders' reports due Feb. 28
Rostered leaders are requested to file their annual Confidential Reports to the Bishop by Feb. 28. The reports are now available online for download from the ELCA website. Read on for full details.
Explore mutual ministry possibilities
Explore the possibilities of mutual ministry for tending the relationship of pastor and people and broadening your congregation's vision for ministry at two Mutual Ministry Seminars led by Pastor Dick Brusehoff of the ELCA Vocation and Education Unit on March 20 and 21, 2010.
View All Call Process Articles
View All Interim Ministry Articles
Synod News
Join the LDR ReadyChurch initiative
With the hurricane season in full swing and ongoing disaster responses in more than half of the U.S., there is no better time than now to think about how prepared (or not) we are for natural disasters. Disasters can happen at any time and place, often without warning, and it is vital for everyone to prepare ourselves for the possibility that a disaster could affect you.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Addresses Discernment, Repentance, Reconciliation
On a recent morning walk I reflected upon familiar words from Ecclesiastes, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NRSV). As I walked, I prayed and pondered about this time in the life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). It is my prayer that we use this time for discerning and engaging; for repenting and reconciling; for restraint but not timidity; and for rejoicing. A Time for Discerning and Engaging Throughout the ELCA I hear people asking, "Is my voice heard? Will my voice be respected as we seek together to discern God's purpose for us?" The answer is yes. Nevertheless, people of deep faith and a desire to be part of this church wonder: Do we mean it when we say we can preach, teach and hold divergent views on sexuality and be full participants in the ELCA's life and witness? Again, the answer is yes.