SELECTING THE CALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS

From the Synod's Transitional Guide for Congregations

1.    The Call Committee shall be appointed by the Congregational Council. The chief task of the Call Committee shall be to work in partnership with the Synod to receive candidates for the pastoral office, interview the candidates, observe the candidates as they conduct worship, and recommend to the Congregation Council the most appropriate candidate for call to be the pastor of the congregation.

2.    It is recommended that the Call Committee consist of five members [CLC constitution says six]. Only one member of the Call Committee should be a member of the Congregation Council (not the President). Alternate(s) can be appointed to serve if a member has to drop off the committee.

3.    The Call Committee should represent a cross-section of the congregation and reflect the present demographics of the community served by the congregation. One member of the Call Committee should be a person who has joined the congregation within the last four years. Ideally, there should be one teenage member on the Call Committee.

4.    In advance of the selection of the Call Committee members, the Congregation Council should develop and publish the agreed Criteria for Call Committee Selection. Each Call Committee member should meet all the criteria.
Suggested criteria:

a.    Of the highest integrity
b.    Hospitable
c.    Optimistic
d.    Able to see both sides of an issue
e.    Able to see and interpret the mission and ministry of the congregation
f.    Able to keep critical information confidential - the sharing of names or data about candidates to anyone, even family members, can seriously compromise the entire process
g.    Committed to pray together and willing to own the decision of the group even if he/she has the minority view
h.    Available on Sundays and willing to give high priority to this important task
Don't ask for volunteers. The Congregation Council will appoint members to the Call Committee on the basis of these criteria.

5.    The Call Committee must include individuals who are open to considering each candidate on his or her own merit and who will honor the expectations of the Synod. . . and the law of our land. . . by avoiding any discrimination on the basis of race, age, gender, marital status, or family profile. The Call Committee should never receive direction from the Congregation Council in a manner that would encourage prejudice for or against any category of persons. If there is any question about this, clarification should be requested from a representative of the Synod.

6.    The Call Committee shall only consider names which have been officially provided by the Synod. Recommendations of possible candidates must be directed to the Assistant to the Bishop for evaluation as to suitability and availability. No locally recommended person should be approached unless nominated by the Synod. The interim pastor is never a candidate for call as pastor.

7.    The names of the Call Committee members shall be shared with the congregation. The Call Committee shall report periodically to the Congregational Council on their activity and progress without disclosure of any names or information about candidates under consideration.