1.0    Resignation and First Meeting
Upon the resignation of a Pastor or Associate in Ministry, or in the event a congregation wishes to add new staff, the Council arranges to meet with the Bishop of the synod (or the Assistant to the Bishop).

1.1 The initial meeting with the Bishop normally take places before the termination of the departing leader.

1.2 The Bishop (or Assistant) meets with the Congregation Council and Call Committee, if one has been elected or appointed.

1.3 The agenda of the meeting will normally include the following topics:

a.  Theology of the Call
b.  Exit interview and farewell planning
c.  Determination of Interim needs
d.  Overview of the Call Process
e.  Role of the Office of the Bishop during the Call Process
f.   Election of the Call Committee (if necessary)

1.4 The Bishop (or Assistant) may notify the Dean of the Conference, in a manner of the Bishop’s choosing, of the initial meeting with a congregation.

2.0    Development of Congregational Profile
The Office of the Bishop will assist the Call Committee in the preparation of the Congregational Profile.

2.1 An Assistant to the Bishop will be available to the Call Committee for meetings and consultation during the development of the Profile.

2.2 The Assistant to the Bishop may seek the assistance of the Bishop, other staff and/or the Dean of the Conference as needed.

3.0    Presentation of Candidates and Interviewing
Upon the completion of the Congregation Profile, the Office of the Bishop normally submits the names of three candidates for interview by the Call Committee.

3.1 The congregation may be invited to submit names of pastors, or other rostered leaders, who may be possible candidates, and who match the gifts and ministry style identified in the Profile, to the Office of the Bishop.

3.2 All initial contacts with possible candidates shall be made through the Synod Office.

3.3 The Bishop and staff will identify candidates who meet the requirements of the congregation as set forth in the Profile for recommendation to the Call Committee for interview.

3.4 The Call Committee is responsible for arranging and conducting the interviews of candidates recommended by the Bishop. It is expected that the interviews of all candidates would be completed within 30 days of the first interview.

3.5 The Call Committee shall notify all candidates of the results of the interview process within 2 weeks of the last interview.

3.6 If none of the candidates are considered suitable, the Call Committee shall notify them that they are no longer being considered for the call. Additional candidates may then be requested from the Office of the Bishop.

4.0    Recommendation to the Congregation and Call Meeting
When the Call Committee has identified a suitable candidate, they notify the Congregation Council and arrange a Congregational Meeting to vote on extending a call.

4.1 Proper notification shall be given to the congregation for a call meeting. The Call Committee may include with the notification a vitae of the candidate and a summary of the compensation package to be voted on at the meeting.

4.2 The Call Committee shall coordinate the date of the Congregational Meeting with the Synod Office to ensure that the Bishop or his/her designee is present.

4.3 The congregation shall vote by written ballot to extend the call, with a ⅔ majority of the voting members present required. If the vote to extend the call is affirmative, the congregation then approves the compensation and benefits package by a simple majority vote.

5.0    Acceptance of the Call and Installation
The officers of the congregation complete the Letter of Call and Definition of Compensation, Benefits, And Responsibilities, obtaining the signatures of the President and Secretary of the Congregation, and forward the forms to the Bishop.

5.1 The Bishop shall attest the call and forward it to the candidate.

5.2 Upon receipt of the Letter of Call, the candidate has thirty (30) days in which to respond.

5.3 If the Call is accepted, the pastor, or other roster leader, and the Congregation Council shall establish a date for the start of the new ministry. The Call Committee shall assist in the transition, moving and startup for the new pastor and family.

5.4 The new pastor shall consult with the Conference Dean to determine the date of installation. The Dean installs the new pastor in the congregation at the direction of the Bishop.

5.5 If the installation service is conducted on a Sunday morning, requiring the Dean’s absence from his/her normal Sunday morning responsibilities, the installing congregation shall be responsible for the expense of a supply pastor for the Dean.

5.6 The Conference Dean, in partnership with the Congregation Council, shall conduct a review of the ministry of the congregation between the sixth and nineth month of the new ministry.

5.7 If the Call is not accepted, the process resumes with the Call Committee interviewing further candidates.