MANDATE:
CALC partners with its member congregations to: roster, train and discipline an ordained Pastorate for the administration of the Means of Grace, and a consecrated Diaconate for service in the church.
CLERGY ROSTER:
CALC’s clergy are rostered in one of the following four categories: (1) Parish Pastor; (2) Pastor Emeritus; (3) Pastor in Extended Ministry; or (4) Diaconal Minister. Each of these classifications is summarized below.
Parish Pastors: Parish Pastors are pastors called by CALC’s member congregations to the office of the Ministry of Word and Sacrament on a full-time, part-time or interim basis. For guidelines for roster as a Parish Pastor click on the PARISH PASTORS button in the navigation pane above. To access an application for roster as a Parish Pastor click here.
Pastors Emeriti: Pastors Emeriti are retired pastors aged 62 or older called by CALC to perform pastoral functions from time to time. For guidelines for roster as a Pastor Emeritus click here. To access an application for roster as a Pastor Emeritus click here.
Pastors in Extended Ministry: Pastors in Extended Ministry are pastors whose call to ministry in a care home, prison, counselling center, mission, or hospital is endorsed by or facilitated through CALC. For guidelines for roster as a Pastor in Extended Ministry click here. To access an application for roster as a Pastor in Extended Ministry click here.
Diaconal Minister: Diaconal Ministers or Deacons carry out a public ministry of service and witness with demonstrated competence and expertise in a particular discipline or disciplines. Diaconal Ministers may serve both within and outside of congregational settings. For guidelines for roster as a Diaconal Minister click here. To access an application for roster as a Diaconal Minister click here.
policy on Gender and ministry; and the solemnization of Marriage
Women in Ministry: CALC’s congregations are free to call qualified men and woman as their pastors and deacons. Click here for CALC’s policy statement.
Solemnization of Marriage: Pastors and deacons on CALC’s roster of clergy must subscribe to and agree to abide by CALC’s policy on marriage in preaching and teaching, preparing couples for marriage and the solemnization of marriage. Click here for CALC’s policy statement.
Admission to the Roster
Pastors and Diaconal Ministers are admitted to the roster upon their acceptance of a call to a CALC congregation or to an Extended Ministry approved by CALC. In the case of a Pastor Emeritus, upon the Board of Elders approval of the pastor’s application for roster as a Pastor Emeritus. If you wish to be considered for call by a CALC congregation please contact CALC’s Pastoral Personnel Director.
Clergy Roster: Click here for a copy of CALC’s most recent Clergy Roster.
Assisting Congregations in the Call Process: CALC congregations are responsible for the call of their pastor. CALC has prepared resources to assist congregations in the call of a Parish Pastor. These resources are found by clicking the PARISH PASTORS button in the navigation pane above.
CONTINUING ON THE ROSTER
Once admitted to the Roster of Clergy, the candidate remains on the roster until he/she resigns, retires or is removed from the roster under a congregation’s governing documents or CALC’s governing documents. Click here for more information on continuing on the roster.
For additional information on admission to and continuing on CALC’s Roster of Pastors click here.
TRAINING CLERGY:
The Program: CALC’s Shepherd’s Pathway to Pastoral Ministry (“Shepherd’s Pathway”) is the program, approved by our congregations, by which CALC’s future pastors are trained. For more information on this program click the CLERGY TRAINING button in the navigation pane above.
Seminary: The Institute of Lutheran Theology (ILT) of Brookings, SD, USA, is CALC’s seminary. ILT is an accredited seminary which utilizes online video conferencing to create a virtual classroom. ILT’s virtual campus allows a candidate to train for ministry without leaving home. All theological training for the Shepherd’s Pathway can be completed at ILT.
DISCIPLINE OF CLERGY:
Grounds for Discipline. A pastor or deacon serving a congregation of CALC may be suspended from his/her duties or dismissed and his/or her call to the congregation terminated for the following causes: (a) deviation from CALC`s doctrinal statements; (b) deviation from approved and necessary practice (dereliction in pastoral/diaconal duties and attitudes), or for “conduct unbecoming” a pastor or deacon.
Procedure for Discipline of a Pastor: Upon the occurrence of an event which could subject a pastor to discipline, an attempt shall be made to settle the matter at the congregational level using the principals articulated in Matthew 18:15-20. If these efforts fail, the church council of the relevant congregation may institute disciplinary proceedings against the pastor/deacon in accordance with its constitution and bylaws. Any such decision by a congregation shall be deemed and considered full and final by CALC. However, the congregation may refer any grievance against a pastor to CALC.
Appeal to President: The matter may be directed to the President of CALC for counsel. The president may follow the same procedure of Matthew 18:15-20 or may otherwise attempt to mediate between the pastor and the congregation for the purpose bringing about a peaceful solution to the controversy between the pastor, those he/she may have offended and the congregation.
Hearing Before the Board of Elders: If such counsel of CALC’s President fails to resolve the subject dispute, it shall be referred to the Board of Elders for hearing who shall take appropriate action (such as exoneration, suspension, or dismissal of the pastor/deacon), and the Board of Elders shall act upon such recommendation and report such action to the next General Convention.
Click here for more detailed information on the disciplinary process for pastors.
Click here for more detailed information on the disciplinary process for deacons.
Electronic forms whereby disciplinary proceedings are initiated against a Pastoral Minister or Diaconal Minister are found in the RESOURCES page in the navigation pane above.
Ministry Standards
CALC has compiled its standards and guidelines for the training, call and discipline of Pastors and Deacons. These guidelines can be accessed on our RESOURCES page of this website.