How the Call Process Works

The Missouri District President and staff are here to guide you through the Call process. Your circuit visitor will usually attend all meetings and votes related to the Call.

Important Notes:

• Steps 1-7 are the same whether calling from the seminary or from the field. Steps 8-19 are for calling from the field.
• To call from the seminary, it is recommended that President Hagan is notified by December 1. Call documents should be submitted to the district office by February 15.
• The process presumes the assistance of the Circuit Visitor and District staff unless agreed upon with President Hagan.

Steps in the Call Process:

1. 1. Call Committee is formed according to the congregation’s constitution and bylaws.
   2. District President and Circuit Visitor meet with call committee.
   3. Congregational treasurer or those responsible for congregational finances should review the Missouri District compensation guidelines and Concordia Plans Compensation Decision Tool for LCMS Churches.
   4. Call committee conducts an all-congregation survey with assistance of Rev. Peter Kirby (Peter.Kirby@mo.lcms.org or 314-590-6221). Survey will assist the committee in development of position description.
   5. Call committee discusses care of church workers and their family with Rev. Kirby.
   6. Congregation leaders complete “Pastoral Profile Ranking” assessment. Call committee collects the assessments, calculates an average, and sends results to District President.
   7. Board of Elders develops/changes/adopts the Ministry Description after input from the survey and the call committee. Ministry description should be sent to District President to assist in development of call list.
   8. Call Committee receives nominations for the pastoral call for 2-4 Sundays.
   9. Nominations are submitted to District President.
   10. District President develops call list for the congregation.
   11. Call committee receives call list with Personal Information Forms (PIFs) and Self-Evaluation Tools (SETs) on each candidate.
   12. Call committee should contact each individual on the list to confirm their availability.
   13. Call committee evaluates PIFS/SETS and determines which candidates to interview.
   14. Call committee conducts phone/video interviews.
   15. Call committee should discuss benefits such as vacation time and moving expenses with Circuit Visitor.
   16. Call committee presents candidates to voters’ assembly according to directives of the constitution and bylaws.
   17. Congregation votes to issue a call.
   18. Call committee/congregation invites pastor and his family to visit as part of his deliberation.
   19. If call is accepted, pastor is installed.  If call is declined, congregation may continue with previous list or request additional names from District President.