Steps to Take When Deliberating A Divine Call

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
  1. Contact your congregation's president.
  2. 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). Send copies to:​
    1. District President Zank
    2. The district president of the district in which the calling congregation is located
    3. Your circuit pastor and the circuit pastor for the calling congregation
    4. The pastor or vacancy pastor serving the calling congregation
    5. Chairman of your district mission board (if you serve a mission congregation)
    6. Chairman of the calling district mission board (if the calling congregation is a mission congregation)
  3. As you deliberate:
    1. Seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in prayer.
    2. Seek the counsel of your family, fellow called workers, congregation leaders and members.
    3. 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).
    4. If possible, determine and make known your projected date for making a decision.
  4. 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.
  5. After reaching a decision, inform the congregation that has extended the call (by phone), your current congregation (in person or by phone), and the district president's office (by phone or email).
  6. 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
  1. Make arrangements for moving.
  2. Set a date for arriving.
  3. Set a date for your installation with the calling congregation's president, pastor, and/or vacancy pastor.
  4. Contact your new district president for authorization of installation so that the proper forms can be sent.

Teachers

When You Receive a Divine Call
  1. Contact your principal, board of education chairman, congregation president, and pastor (in person or by phone).
  2. Contact the district president's office (by phone at 920-739-9194 or email at [email protected]) and the Commission on Lutherans School (CLS) (by email at [email protected]). 
  3. 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).
  4. As you deliberate:
    1. Seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in prayer.
    2. Seek the counsel of your family, fellow called workers, congregation leaders and members.
    3. 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).
    4. If possible, determine and make known your projected date for making a decision.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Send letters to the leadership of both congregations (see below for examples).

If You Accept a Divine Call
  1. Make arrangements for moving.
  2. Set a date for arrival.
  3. Set a date for your installation with the calling congregation's president, pastor, and/or vacancy pastor.
  4. Contact your new district president for authorization of installation so that the proper forms can be sent.