Considering a divine call is one of the most exciting yet anxious life events there is. Following the steps below will ensure that the whole process is done decently and in good order and will help to make the process a greater blessing for you and everyone else.
Pastors and Staff Ministers
When you receive a Divine Call
Contact your congregation's president.
Contact the district president's office (by email at azcadp@wels.net).
After you have received the details about the call, send a letter (via email or USPS) to the calling body acknowledge receiving the call (see below for an example). Send copies to:
District President Heckendorf
The district president of the district in which the calling congregation is located
Your circuit pastor
The pastor or vacancy pastor serving the calling congregation
Chairman of your district mission board (if you serve a mission congregation)
Chairman of the calling district mission board (if the calling congregation is a mission congregation)
As you deliberate:
Seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in prayer.
Seek the counsel of your family, fellow called workers, congregation leaders and members.
Set up times to talk to representatives from the calling congregation (It is our synod's general practice not to physically visit the congregation before accepting a call so as not to give the impression of false motives, although exceptions may be necessary for congregations with larger staffs).
If possible, determine and make known your projected date for making a decision.
Take whatever time you need to seriously consider where you might best use your gifts to serve the Lord, keeping in mind that whether you accept or return, one congregation will need to extend another call after your decision.
After reaching a decision, inform the congregation that has extended the call (by phone), your current congregation (in person, by phone, or by email), and the district president's office (by phone or email).
Send a letter to the leadership of both congregations (see below for an example). Copy the same people you included on the first letter.
If you accept a Divine Call
Make arrangements for moving.
Set a date for arriving.
Set a date for your installation with the calling congregation's president, pastor, and/or vacancy pastor.
Contact your new district president for authorization of installation so that the proper forms can be sent.
Sample Letters to Calling Congregation
Pastor/Staff Minister - Acknowledging a Call
Pastor/Staff Minister - Returning a Call
Pastor/Staff Minister - Accepting a Call
Sample Letters to Current Congregation
Pastor/Staff Minister - Acknowledging a Call
Pastor/Staff Minister - Returning a Call
Pastor/Staff Minister - Accepting a Call
Teachers
When you receive a Divine Call
Contact your principal, board of education chairman, congregation president, and pastor (in person or by phone).
Contact the district president's office (by email at azcadp@wels.net) and the Commission on Lutherans School (CLS) (by email at lutheranschools@wels.net).
After you have received the details about the call, write the calling body a letter to acknowledge receiving the call (see below for an example).
As you deliberate:
Seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in prayer.
Seek the counsel of your family, fellow called workers, congregation leaders and members.
Set up times to talk to representatives from the calling congregation (It is our synod's general practice not to physically visit the congregation before accepting a call so as not to give the impression of false motives, although exceptions may be necessary for congregations with larger staffs).
If possible, determine and make known your projected date for making a decision.
Take whatever time you need to seriously consider where you might best use your gifts to serve the Lord, keeping in mind that whether you accept or return, one congregation will need to extend another call after your decision.
After reaching a decision, inform the congregation that has extended the call (by phone), your current congregation and school (in person or by phone), the district president's office (by phone or email), and the CLS office by email.
Send letters to the leadership of both congregations (see below for examples).
If you accept a Divine Call
Make arrangements for moving.
Set a date for arriving.
Set a date for your installation with the calling congregation's president, pastor, and/or vacancy pastor.
Contact your new district president for authorization of installation so that the proper forms can be sent.
Sample Letters to Calling Congregation
Teacher - Acknowledging a Call
Sample Letters to Current Congregation