The flow of the call process includes four phases that we will journey through together.
Phase I: After a Pastor Resigns
Phase One of the interim process begins when a pastor resigns or departs for any reason. As a pastor leaves, it is important to find a way to say goodbye and to begin to define appropriate boundaries so that the congregation is able to receive another individual as the pastor. Phase One ends in the selection of a qualified Interim Pastor.
Phase II: Self-Study and Visioning Process
Phase Two of the interim process begins with the welcoming of the Interim Pastor. The Intentional Interim Pastor will carry out the work of interim ministry by following a widely-accepted process known as the Five Developmental Tasks for a congregation in transition. Phase Two concludes with the preparation of a package of material called the Congregational Profile, and its submission to and approval by the Synod’s Office of the Bishop.
Phase III: The Call Process
At this point, the congregation selects a Call Committee. That Call Committee receives the names of possible pastoral candidates in a highly confidential process. After the Call Committee interviews pastoral candidate(s) and hears them preach, it eventually recommends one pastoral candidate to the Council. If the Council agrees, the Council calls a special congregational meeting arranged in cooperation with the Office of the Bishop. If the congregation decides to issue a call to the pastoral candidate, and the pastoral candidate accepts, then he or she becomes the next regularly-called pastor of the congregation.
Phase IV: Implementation with Next Pastor
Throughout the process the congregation has worked to develop its vision of the future to which God is calling it and has called the pastor it believes will lead it in pursuing this vision. Now the congregation welcomes this new pastor. Rather than set aside the work of the transition process, it is important for the pastor and congregation to work on implementation together. The arrival of the next pastor is not a time when “things return to normal,” but is a continuing part of transition.