The following information is taken from Salem's Constitution and Bylaws and from the Saint Paul Area Synod's Call Process Manual.

As Lutherans we believe it is our Lord Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, who guides the Call Process. Many people report that serving on a Call Committee turned out to be one of the most important things they ever did as members of the church. It allowed them to experience first-hand how the Holy Spirit works through committed Christians to help the church be faithful to its calling.

According to Salem's Bylaws, the Call Committee must consist of 9 congregational members.

It is important for the Call Committee to be clear about its task. The foremost question for the Call Committee always is whether this is the person God requires this congregation to have as its pastor. Human preferences and personalities never come before the mission to which God calls the church. That is why every meeting of the Call Committee should include prayer for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the work that is being done.

An ideal Call Process builds on trust, openness and good communication.

1. Meet with a Synod staff person to determine the call process.
2. Review the existing letter of call and position description.
3. Hold closed meetings but keep this congregation as informed of its progress and procedure as possible while maintaining necessary confidentiality of the candidates being considered.
4. Determine by consensus of the Call Committee members present at a properly called and publicized meeting, the best pastoral candidate for a position at Salem.
5. Recommend a candidate to the congregation.
6. Upon the installation of the pastor, the Call Committee will meet as a transition advisory team with the pastor up to three times during the first year.

The Call Committee should intentionally reflect the makeup of the congregation. There should be a diverse representation of the following:

1. gender
2. age
3. ethnic/racial identity
4. all segments of the ministry of the congregationÐpeople involved in the congregation's mission as represented by the Nurturing Board, Sharing Board, Operating Board
5. balance of long-term and newer members
6. people from different elements of the congregation
7. a variety of contributing styles and gifts
8. representation of one member of the Mission Profile Task Force

A Call Committee made up of mostly people of one age group or length of membership or any other similarities would be less equipped to represent the congregation.

The over-arching consideration is that this should be a combination of people in whom the congregation has confidence to have the gift of discernment and to not be concerned about their own agenda for the congregation.

1. Be willing and able to commit to regular, sometimes weekly, meetings of the committee
2. Be available for up to at least 6 months for that commitment (According to the Synod, the average Call Committee takes about six months.)
3. Put the work of the Call Committee ahead of other commitments that might hinder full participation
4. Be able to visit other churches to hear potential candidates preach

1. The congregational president shall convene the first meeting of the Call Committee. The Call Committee shall select a chair, and other officers, if desired.
2. January 14th from 6:00 Ð 9:00 PM at the Synod offices, there will be a Calling, the Called meeting for all congregational representatives involved in the call process. All potential Call Committee members should try to hold that date.
3. Susan Miller, our Synod representative, will come to meet with the committee in the first few weeks.
4. The Call Committee will need to review the Mission Profile. The Synod will review the Mission Profile and consider that, plus what Susan Miller has learned, to determine names of pastors to recommend to the committee.

1. Consider people who might add to the diversity of the Call Committee and to its ability to discern by their presence
2. Invite those people to nominate themselves or be nominated.
3. Consider whether you want to be nominated for the Call Committee and whether you can fulfill the requirements for membership