Requests for Called Workers
Calling a Pastor or Staff Minister
This year's Christmas pastor call hiatus: Friday, December 12 - Sunday, January 11 (Call meetings resume Monday, January 12).
This year's Easter pastor call hiatus: Saturday, March 28 - Friday, April 10 (Call meetings resume Saturday, April 11)
To extend a call for a pastor or staff minister, follow these steps:
When a call has been returned:
When a call has been accepted:
This year's Easter pastor call hiatus: Saturday, March 28 - Friday, April 10 (Call meetings resume Saturday, April 11)
To extend a call for a pastor or staff minister, follow these steps:
- Use the 'Pre-Call Survey Form' below to decide what qualifications you need a pastor/staff minister to fill.
- Submit your request to the District President's office ([email protected] or 920-739-9194).
- Be prepared to provide details of the position you are requesting, including compensation information.
- Allow at least two weeks for list preparation.
- Due to heavy call volumes, expect to be sent a list of candidates on the day of the meeting. Keep this list confidential before and after the meeting.
- After voting for a candidate, contact the district president's office to inform him of the decision.
- Contact the candidate by phone to let them know you are calling them.
- Fill out the appropriate form and a cover letter and send the call packet by mail or e-mail.
When a call has been returned:
- Inform the district president's office that a decision has been made ([email protected] or 920-739-9194).
- If you are calling again, request a call meeting date from the district president's office.
When a call has been accepted:
- Inform the district president's office that a decision has been made.
- Set a date for your new called worker's arrival.
- Set an installation date and inform the district president's office so an authorization for installation can be prepared.
Calling a Teacher
The teacher call window is opens October 15 and closes April 15.
To extend a call for a teacher, please follow these steps:
When a call has been returned:
When a call has been accepted:
To extend a call for a teacher, please follow these steps:
- Work with your congregational leadership to establish what qualifications you need a teacher to fill (Following the online submittal link will give you a good idea of the type of information you'll need).
- Submit your request online at wels.net/callrequest.
- Be prepared to provide details of the position you're looking to fill, including compensation information.
- If you are requesting an early childhood director or principal, fill out the additional form below and send it to the Commission on Lutheran Schools ([email protected]) and the district president's office ([email protected]) when you submit your request.
- Allow at least two weeks for list preparation.
- Due to heavy call volumes, expect to be sent a list of candidates on the day of the meeting. Keep this list confidential before and after the meeting.
- After voting for a candidate, contact the district president's office to inform him of the decision.
- Contact the candidate by phone to let them know you are calling them.
- Fill out the appropriate form and a cover letter and send the call packet by mail or e-mail.
When a call has been returned:
- Contact the Commission on Lutheran Schools ([email protected]) to request a call meeting date and make any changes to the call. CC the district president's office ([email protected]). You do not need to submit another online call request.
When a call has been accepted:
- Inform the Commission on Lutheran Schools ([email protected]) that a decision has been made. CC the district president's office ([email protected])
- Set a date for your new called worker's arrival.
- Set an installation date and inform the district president's office so an authorization for installation can be prepared.
Requesting a Graduate Assignment
Basic instructions are below. For detailed instructions, click the relevant link:
Assignment day for Martin Luther College is Saturday, May 16, 2026. Assignment day for Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary is Thursday, May 21, 2026.
To request a graduate assignment:
Refer to the forms linked above for congregations desiring that a pastor, staff minister, or teacher assigned to their church or school. THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT THIS FORM IS April 28, 2026 FOR TEACHERS, STAFF MINISTERS AND PASTORS.
Changes to this deadline may only be accommodated through consultation with your district president.
Attached are two sets of assignment instructions. Please read the appropriate set of instructions before making an assignment request. If you are seeking a teacher or staff minister graduate, use the “MLC Assignment Request Information 2026” attachment. If you are seeking a pastor graduate, use the “WLS Assignment Request Information 2026” attachment. If you have questions, President Zank's secretarial assistant, Carissa Priewe ([email protected]), or President Zank will be happy to assist you. Circuit Pastors and Vacancy Pastors may need to assist vacant congregations in completing the request form. Note: A WELS Cloud account is required.)
If you have been calling for a pastor or teacher from the field:
When calling a teacher: You need to start a new online application for receiving a graduate from MLC. Once your online request is submitted, I will be notified.
When calling a pastor: You need to start a new online application for receiving a graduate from the seminary. Once your online request is submitted, I will be notified.
If someone is deliberating on the call past the application deadline:
If a pastor or teacher from the field is still deliberating a call as we approach the application deadline—and if you are desiring to apply for a graduate if they decline the call—fill out a request for a graduate. You may withdraw the request if the pastor or teacher accepts the call.
If a present pastor or teacher at your congregation receives a call in the meantime:
If your current pastor or a teacher receives a call in April—and if you would consider seeking a graduate to replace them if they accepted that call—be aware of the possible need to call for a voters’ meeting in order to approve a request for a graduate. You could fill out a request for a graduate and withdraw that request if your pastor or teacher declines the call. If you do not think you would apply for a graduate, then there is no need to do this.
Final thoughts
While you are filling out the request form, you will also be directed to an Assignment Information Sheet. Please feel free to look at those instructions, but you will note that information unique to our district is found in both of the documents linked above. Please follow the attached instructions. They supersede those linked to the online request form.
To request a graduate assignment:
Refer to the forms linked above for congregations desiring that a pastor, staff minister, or teacher assigned to their church or school. THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT THIS FORM IS April 28, 2026 FOR TEACHERS, STAFF MINISTERS AND PASTORS.
Changes to this deadline may only be accommodated through consultation with your district president.
Attached are two sets of assignment instructions. Please read the appropriate set of instructions before making an assignment request. If you are seeking a teacher or staff minister graduate, use the “MLC Assignment Request Information 2026” attachment. If you are seeking a pastor graduate, use the “WLS Assignment Request Information 2026” attachment. If you have questions, President Zank's secretarial assistant, Carissa Priewe ([email protected]), or President Zank will be happy to assist you. Circuit Pastors and Vacancy Pastors may need to assist vacant congregations in completing the request form. Note: A WELS Cloud account is required.)
If you have been calling for a pastor or teacher from the field:
When calling a teacher: You need to start a new online application for receiving a graduate from MLC. Once your online request is submitted, I will be notified.
When calling a pastor: You need to start a new online application for receiving a graduate from the seminary. Once your online request is submitted, I will be notified.
If someone is deliberating on the call past the application deadline:
If a pastor or teacher from the field is still deliberating a call as we approach the application deadline—and if you are desiring to apply for a graduate if they decline the call—fill out a request for a graduate. You may withdraw the request if the pastor or teacher accepts the call.
If a present pastor or teacher at your congregation receives a call in the meantime:
If your current pastor or a teacher receives a call in April—and if you would consider seeking a graduate to replace them if they accepted that call—be aware of the possible need to call for a voters’ meeting in order to approve a request for a graduate. You could fill out a request for a graduate and withdraw that request if your pastor or teacher declines the call. If you do not think you would apply for a graduate, then there is no need to do this.
Final thoughts
While you are filling out the request form, you will also be directed to an Assignment Information Sheet. Please feel free to look at those instructions, but you will note that information unique to our district is found in both of the documents linked above. Please follow the attached instructions. They supersede those linked to the online request form.
