Virginia Synod of the EvangelicalLutheranChurch in America

Issuance of Special Calls to Non-Congregational Services

The Virginia Synod is authorized by the EvangelicalLutheranChurch in America (ELCA) to issue special calls in non-congregational settings to ordained, consecrated or commissioned leaders rostered by the Virginia Synod.

The Virginia Synod welcomes requests from non-congregational institutions in a variety of locations and settings which utilize the gifts and services of ordained, consecrated, or commissioned rostered leaders. At the same time, the Virginia Synod upholds the skills and gifts of all the baptized. The Virginia Synod recognizes that ministry is not done solely done by rostered leaders. Institutions are encouraged to prayerfully discern if there is an identifiable relationship between their work and the purpose of ordained, consecrated or commissioned ministry.

Following are instructions for requesting a Special Call Issued by Virginia Synod Council.

  1. Review the ELCA constitutional provisions for Ordained Ministry and Official Roster of Laypersons (excerpted from CONSTITUTIONS, BYLAWS, AND CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS of the EvangelicalLutheranChurch in America®)
  2. See below
  3. Review “Synod Council Issued Special Calls to Ordained Ministry” and “Synod Council Issued Calls to Associates in Ministry, Deaconesses and Diaconal Ministers” (excerpted from CONSTITUTIONS, BYLAWS, AND CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America®)
  4. See below
  5. Fill out the “Petition to the Virginia Synod Council of the of the EvangelicalLutheranChurch in America for the Issuance of a Special Call
  6. Attachment #1
  7. Submit Petition and background/job description/mobility papers to the Office of the VA Synod Bishop
  8. Office of the VA Synod Bishop reviews petition and other documents
  9. Office of the VA Synod Bishop presents recommendation to VA Synod Council
  10. Meetings are January, March, June and September
  11. Decision made by VA Synod Council
  12. Petitioning institution/agency/organization is notified of the decision by the Office of the VA Synod Bishop
  13. If petition is approved
  14. A Memorandum of Understanding is sent for the signature of authorized person(s) at the employing institution/agency/organization by Office of the VA Synod Bishop
  15. Employing institution/agency/organization returns signed Memorandum of Understanding to the Office of the VA Synod Bishop
  16. Ordained, consecrated, or commissioned rostered leader is sent a Letter of Call for final Signature by the Office of the VA Synod Bishop

7.20.ORDAINEDMINISTRY

7.21.WithinthepeopleofGodandforthesakeoftheGospelministry entrustedtoallbelievers,Godhasinstitutedtheofficeofministryof WordandSacrament.Tocarryoutthisministry,thischurchcalls andordains qualified persons.

7.22.AnordainedministerofthischurchshallbeapersonwhosecommitmenttoChrist,soundnessinthefaith,aptnesstopreach,teach, andwitness,andeducationalqualificationshavebeenexaminedand approvedinthemannerprescribedinthedocumentsofthischurch; whohasbeenproperlycalledandordained;whoacceptsandadheres totheConfessionofFaithofthischurch;whoisdiligentandfaithful intheexerciseoftheministry;andwhoselifeandconductareabove reproach.Anordainedministershallcomplywiththischurch’s constitutions, bylaws, and continuingresolutions.

7.23.Thestandardsforacceptanceandcontinuanceofpastorsinthe ordainedministryof this churchshall be set forth inthe bylaws.

7.24.Thesecretaryofthischurchshallmaintainarostercontainingthe namesofordainedministerswhoqualifyonthebasisofconstitutional provisions7.22., 7.23., 7.30., and7.31., and related bylaws.

7.30.STANDARDS FORORDAINEDMINISTERS

7.31.Inaccordancewiththedescriptionofanordainedministerstatedin 7.22.,pastorsasordainedministersshallbegovernedbythefollowing standards, policies, and procedures.

7.31.10.Basic Standards

7.31.11.Personsadmittedtoandcontinuedintheordainedministryofthischurch shallsatisfactorilymeetandmaintainthefollowing,asdefinedbythis church’sconstitutions,bylaws,andcontinuingresolutionsandinpolicies developedbytheappropriatechurchwideunit,reviewedbythe Conference ofBishops, andadoptedbythe Church Council:

a.commitment toChrist;

b.acceptanceofandadherencetotheConfessionofFaithofthis church;

c.willingnessandabilitytoserveinresponsetotheneedsofthis church;

d.academicandpracticalqualificationsforministry,includingleader- shipabilities andcompetence ininterpersonal relationships;

e.commitmenttoleadalifeworthyoftheGospelofChristandinso doingtobe anexample in faithful service andholyliving;

f.receipt andacceptance ofa letter ofcall; and

g.membershipina congregationofthis church.

7.31.12.ConsistentwiththefaithandpracticeoftheEvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmerica,

a.Everyordainedminister shall:

1)preachthe Word;

2)administer the sacraments;

3)conduct public worship;

4)provide pastoral care;

5)seekoutandencouragequalifiedpersonstoprepareforthe ministryofthe Gospel;

6)witnesstotheKingdomofGodinthecommunity,inthenation, andabroad; and

7)speakpubliclytotheworldinsolidaritywiththepoorand oppressed,callingforjusticeandproclaimingGod’sloveforthe world.

7.31.13.CallstoNon-CongregationalService.Callstoserveininstitutions, agencies,andotherentitiesinsideandoutsidethischurchmaybe extendedwherethereisanidentifiablerelationshipoftheworktothepurposeoftheordainedministry.Suchcallsinvolve,forexample,the careoftheWord,theadministrationofthesacraments,pastoralcare,and activitiescloselyassociatedwiththosetasksincludingoversightinthe churchandininter-Lutheranandinter-churchagenciesandinstitutions. Careistobeexercisedsothatpositionsinthechurchandintheworldthat canbefilledadequatelyandappropriatelybythelaitynotbefilledby ordainedministersfortheirconvenienceorstatus.Synodicalcouncilsand theChurchCouncil mayseektheadviceoftheConferenceofBishopsin specific situations.

7.31.14.Non-StipendiaryServiceUnderCall.Whenitisdeemednecessaryfor themissionneedsofthischurch,aletterofcallmaybeissuedbythe SynodCouncil—accordingtocriteria,policies,andproceduresrecommendedbytheappropriatechurchwideunit,reviewedbytheConference ofBishops,andadoptedbytheChurchCouncil—toanordainedminister fornon-stipendiaryserviceaftertheSynodCouncilhassoughtand receivedapprovalbytheConferenceofBishops.Careistobeexercised sothatpositionsinthechurchandintheworldthatcanbefilled adequatelyandappropriatelybythelaitynotbefilledbyordained ministersfortheirconvenience,status,orpersonalpreference.Acallto non-stipendiary serviceistobereviewedatleastannuallybytheSynod Councilandcontinuedonlyaswarrantedfortheministryneedsofthis church.Suchacallmay beterminatedbytheSynodCouncilwhenitis deemedtobe fulfilling nolonger the mission needsofthis church.

7.31.15.CallstoServe in Unusual Circumstances.Whenitisdeemedtobe in theinterestsofthischurchinthecareoftheGospel,ordainedministers maybecalledforastatedperiodoftime,nottoexceedthreeyears,to ministeronbehalfofthischurchwhileemployedinanoccupationoutside thetraditionalrangeoftheordainedministry.Suchcallsmaybeextended byaSynod Councilor theChurchCounciluponrecommendationbythe ConferenceofBishopsaccordingtocriteriaandproceduresrecommended bytheappropriatechurchwideunit,reviewedbytheConferenceof Bishops,andadoptedbytheChurchCouncil.Suchcallsshallbereviewed annually.[1]

7.43.AletterofcallissuedbyaSynodCouncilortheChurchCounciltoan ordained ministerofthischurchshallbeeitherco-terminuswith,or notlongerthan,thedurationoftheserviceoremploymentforwhich thecallwasissued.Withtheexceptionofpersonsdesignatedas employeesofasynodorthechurchwideorganization,suchacalldoes notimplyanyemploymentrelationshipor contractual obligationin regardtoemploymentonthepartoftheSynodCouncilorChurch Councilissuingthe call. The recipient of suchacall remainssubject tothischurch’sstandardsanddisciplineforordainedministry,ascontained in this church’s constitution, bylaws, and continuing resolutionsandinthepolicyandproceduredocumentsofthischurch.

7.43.1.WhentheSynodCouncilortheChurchCouncil,asthecallingsource, determinesthattheserviceoremploymentnolongerfulfillsthecriteria underwhichacallwasissued,theSynod Councilorthe Church Council shallvacatethecallanddirectthattheindividualbeplacedonleavefrom callor,ifsuchleavestatusisnotgranted,theindividualshallberemoved fromthe roster ofordainedministers.

7.44.Eachsynodshallmaintainarostercontainingthenamesofthose ordainedministerswhoarerelatedtoitonthebasisof7.42.ofthis constitution.
7.44.A05. Sourcesof Callsfor OrdainedMinisters

a.Principles forSourcesof Calls

1)A“call”isanactionbyexpressionsofthischurch,asspecified inthe“TableofSourcesofCallsforOrdainedMinisters,” throughwhichapersonisaskedtoserveinaspecifiedministry. Suchanactionisattestedina“letterof call.”

2)Interdependencewithinthebodyofthischurchsuggeststhatany actionofoneofitsentitiesaffectsotherentities.Therefore, interdependenceisexpressedinallcallsextendedwithinthis church.

3)Acallexpressesarelationshipbetweenthischurchandthe personcalledinvolvingmutualservice,support,accountability, supervision, anddiscipline.

4)Aletterofcallisissuedbythatexpressionofthischurch authorizedtodosowhichis most directly involvedinaccount- ability for the specifiedministry.

5)Decisionsoncallsforministriesinunusualcircumstancesnot otherwiseprovidedforbut deemedtobe intheinterestsofthis church’scareoftheGospelarereferredtotheConferenceof Bishops forrecommendationtothe appropriate callingbody.[2]

Synod Council Issued Calls to Ordained Ministry

  • Congregational Ministry
  • Coalition and cluster Ministry
  • Congregations beyond the ELCA
  • Independent Lutheran congregations
  • Other
  • (or Church Council)
  • Synodical Ministry
  • Assistant to the Bishop
  • Shared staff by two or more synods
  • (Synod council of one of the synods)
  • Synod staff partially supported by grants from churchwide units
  • Chaplaincy and Institutional Ministry
  • Institution/agency related or unrelated to a synod
  • Institution/agency related to more than one synod
  • (Synod council of one of the synods)
  • Campus Ministry
  • Staff
  • Church Camp Ministry
  • Staff
  • Ecumenical Ministry
  • Related to a synod
  • Related to more than one synod
  • (Synod council of one of the synods)
  • Inter-Lutheran Ministry
  • Related to a synod
  • Related to more than one synod
  • (Synod council of one of the synods)
  • Educational Ministry (Synod in which college/school located)
  • ELCA-relatedCollege (Chaplain/faculty/administrator)
  • Chaplain/faculty/administrator of a college unrelated to the ELCA
  • ELCA-relatedSchool (Chaplain/faculty/administrator)
  • Chaplain/faculty of a school unrelated to ELCA
  • Director/staff of a continuing education center related to churchwide unit
  • Other (Synod Council upon approval of Conference of Bishops Council or Church Council upon recommendation by the Conference of Bishops)
  • Non-stipendiary service under call
  • Unusual ministries (as in conjunction with occupations and in approved situations not otherwise specified)[3]

7.50.OFFICIALROSTERSOFLAYPERSONS

7.51.Thischurchmayestablishrostersoflaypersonsonwhichthenames maybelistedofthosewhoqualifyforsuchaccordingtothebylaws andcontinuingresolutionsoftheEvangelicalLutheranChurchin America.

7.51.1.Thestandardsofacceptanceandcontinuanceonthelayrostersofthis churchasdefinedherein shall be includedinthe bylaws.

7.51.2.Underconstitutionalprovision7.51.,thosepersonspreviouslyrosteredas commissionedchurchstaff(TheAmericanLutheranChurch),deaconesses (TheAssociationofEvangelicalLutheranChurches),deaconesses(The AmericanLutheranChurch),deacons(TheAssociationofEvangelical LutheranChurches),layprofessionalleaders(theLutheranChurchin America),andcommissionedteachers(TheAssociationofEvangelical LutheranChurches)shallberetainedasassociatesinministryofthis church(exceptforremovalsinaccordwiththegoverningdocuments, criteria,policies,andproceduresofthischurch)intherecognized categoryofministryoftheirpreviouschurchbodyforaslongastheyare ingoodstandingaccordingtothestandards,criteria,policies,andproceduresofthischurch.Accountabilityforspecificcallsshallbeexercised accordingtothepoliciesandproceduresofthischurch.Suchpersonsmay resignfromtherosterormayelecttoberosteredinanotherELCA categorybymeetingtheappropriatecriteriaestablishedbytheEvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmericaandbyrelinquishingtheirpreviousroster category.

7.51.3.AssociatesinMinistry.Thischurchshallmaintainalayrosterof associatesinministryofthosecommissioned—accordingtothestandards, criteria,policies,andproceduresofthischurch—for suchservicewithin thelifeofthischurchinpositionsofWordandserviceonbehalfofallof God’speople.AssociatesinministryaretobefaithfultoJesusChrist, knowledgeableoftheWordofGodandtheConfessionsofthischurch, respectfulofthepeopleofGod,andresponsivetoneedsinachanging worldastheyserveincongregationsandotherministrysettings.The rosterofassociatesinministry,inadditiontothoselistedinbylaw 7.51.02., shall be composedof:

a.thosecertifiedduringtheperiodofJanuary1,1988,through September1,1993,asassociatesinministryoftheEvangelical Lutheran ChurchinAmerica; and

b.thosewhoare approved,subsequent toSeptember1, 1993, asassociatesinministryinthischurchaccordingtopoliciesand proceduresdevelopedbytheappropriatechurchwideunit,reviewed bytheConferenceof Bishops,andadoptedbytheChurchCouncil.

c.Uponreceiptandacceptanceofavalid,regularlyissuedletterofcall, anewlyapprovedcandidateshallbecommissioned,accordingtothe proper service ordersofthis church, as anassociate inministry. Accountabilityforspecificcallsshallbeexercisedaccordingtothe policiesandproceduresofthischurch.Suchpersonsmayresignfromthe rosterormayelecttoberosteredinanotherELCA categorybymeeting theappropriatecriteriaestablishedbytheEvangelicalLutheranChurchin Americaandbyrelinquishingtheir previousroster category.

7.51.4.DeaconessesoftheEvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmerica. ThischurchshallmaintainalayrosterofthedeaconessesoftheEvangelical LutheranChurch inAmericaofthoseconsecrated—accordingtothe standards,criteria,policies, andproceduresofthischurch—forsuch service withinthelifeofthischurchinpositionsofWordandservice on behalfofallofGod’speople. DeaconessesaretobefaithfultoJesus Christ,knowledgeableoftheWordofGodandtheConfessionsofthis church,respectfulofthepeopleofGod,andresponsivetoneedsina changingworld.Theyaretobetheologicallytrainedtoservein congregations andother ministrysettings.

a.Anewlyapprovedcandidateforthisrostershallbeconsecrated, accordingtotheproperserviceordersofthischurch,asadeaconess ofthe EvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmerica.

b.Asusedherein,referencestodeaconessesoftheEvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmericameanmembersofthe DeaconessCommunityof theEvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmericalistedonthischurch’s official rostersoflaypersonsasdeaconessesoftheEvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmerica.

c.Unlessotherwisespecified,allconstitutionalprovisions,bylaws,and continuingresolutionsregardingassociatesinministryofthe EvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmerica,exceptfortheserviceorder ofconsecrationasadeaconessoftheEvangelicalLutheranChurchin America,shallapplytothoseonthelayrosterofthischurchas deaconessesofthe EvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmerica.

7.51.5.DiaconalMinisters.Thischurchshallestablishandmaintainalayroster ofdiaconalministersofthoseconsecrated—accordingtothestandards, criteria,policies,andproceduresofthischurch—forserviceonbehalfof thischurchinpositionsofWordandservicethatexemplifytheservantlife andthatseektoequipandmotivateothers tolive it.Diaconalministers aretobefaithfultoJesusChrist,knowledgeableoftheWordofGodand theConfessionsofthischurch,respectfulofthepeopleofGod,and responsivetoneedsinachangingworld.Suchdiaconalministersshall seekinagreatvarietyofwaystoempower,equip,andsupportallthe baptizedpeopleofGodintheministryofJesusChristandthe missionof Godinthe world.

a.Uponapprovalasacandidateforthelayrosterofdiaconalministers, anduponreceiptandacceptanceofavalid,regularlyissuedletterof call,the candidateshallbeconsecrated,accordingtotheservice ordersofthis church, asa laydiaconal minister.

b.Allconstitutionalprovisions,bylaws,andcontinuingresolutions regardingassociatesinministryoftheEvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmericashallapplytothoseonthelayrosterofdiaconalministers ofthe EvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmerica.

7.52.Thestandardsofacceptanceandcontinuanceasassociatesinministry, deaconesses,anddiaconalministersofthischurchshallbe included inthe bylaws.

7.52.10.Standardsfor the Official Rostersof Laypersons

7.52.11.Associatesinministry,deaconesses,anddiaconalministersshallbe governedbythe following standards, policies, andprocedures:

a.BasicStandards.Persons approvedandcontinuedas associates in ministry,deaconesses,anddiaconalministersofthischurchshall satisfactorilymeetandmaintainthefollowing,asdefinedbythis churchinitsgoverningdocuments andinpoliciesdevelopedbythe appropriatechurchwideunit,reviewedbytheConferenceofBishops, andadoptedbythe Church Council:

1)commitment toChrist;

2)acceptanceofandadherencetotheConfessionofFaithofthis church;

3)willingnessandabilitytoserveinresponsetotheneedsof this church;

4)academicandpracticalqualificationsfortheposition,including leadershipabilitiesandcompetenceininterpersonalrelation- ships;

5)commitmenttoleadalifeworthyoftheGospelofChristandin sodoingtobe anexample in faithful service andholyliving;

6)receipt andacceptance ofa letter ofcall; and

7)membershipina congregationofthis church.[4]

7.52.20.Non-StipendiaryServiceUnderCall.Whennecessaryforthe mission needsofthischurch, a letter ofcall maybe issuedbythe SynodCouncil— accordingtocriteria,policies,andproceduresrecommendedbythe appropriatechurchwideunit,reviewedbytheConferenceofBishops,and adoptedbytheChurchCouncil—toanassociateinministry,deaconess, ordiaconalministerfornon-stipendiary serviceafter the SynodCouncil hassoughtandreceivedapprovalbytheConferenceofBishops.Acallto non-stipendiary serviceistobereviewedatleastannuallybytheSynod Councilandcontinuedonlyaswarrantedfortheministryneedsofthis church.SuchacallmaybeterminatedbytheSynodCouncilwhenitis deemedtobe fulfilling nolonger the mission needsofthis church.

7.52.A05.SourcesofCallsforAssociatesinMinistry,Deaconesses,andDiaconal Ministers

a.Theprinciplesgoverningsourcesofcallsforordainedministers shall,asappropriate,alsogovernsourcesoflettersofcallfor associatesinministry,deaconesses,anddiaconalministersofthe EvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmerica.

b.TableofSourcesofCallforAssociatesinMinistry,Deaconesses,and Diaconal Ministers[5]

Synod Council Issued Calls to Associates in Ministry, Deaconesses and Diaconal Ministers

  • Congregational Ministry
  • Coalition and cluster Ministry
  • Congregations beyond the ELCA
  • Independent Lutheran congregations
  • Other
  • Synodical Ministry
  • Social Ministry Institutions
  • Institution/agency related or unrelated to a synod
  • Institution/agency related to more than one synod
  • (Synod council of one of the synods)
  • Campus Ministry
  • Staff
  • Church Camp Ministry
  • Staff
  • Ecumenical Ministry
  • Related to a synod
  • Related to more than one synod
  • (Synod council of one of the synods)
  • Inter-Lutheran Ministry
  • Related to a synod
  • Related to more than one synod
  • (Synod council of one of the synods)
  • Educational Ministry (Synod in which college/school located)
  • ELCA-relatedCollege
  • College unrelated to ELCA
  • Director/staff of a continuing education center related to churchwide unit
  • Other (Synod Council upon approval of Conference of Bishops Council or Church Council upon recommendation by the Conference of Bishops)
  • Non-stipendiary service under call
  • Unusual ministries (as in conjunction with occupations and in approved situations not otherwise specified)[6]

Petition to the Virginia Synod Council

of the EvangelicalLutheranChurch in America

For the Issuance of a Special Call

Name of agency or organization: ______

Address:

Name and organizational title of the person responsible for the petition:

Office phone number: ______

E-Mail:______

Any other contact information: ______

  1. The main responsibilities of the position for which a rostered leader of the ELCA is sought are as follows (please attach a copy of the description of the position).
  1. Based on its understanding of the relevant ELCA constitutional provisions, this agency/organization believes an Ordained Minister (Minister of Word and Sacrament) Associate in Ministry (Minister of Word and Service), Deaconess (Minister of Word and Service), or Diaconal Minister (Minister of Word and Service in the World) of the ELCA would be especially appropriate in this position for the following reasons:
  1. An ordained rostered leader of the ELCA in this position will be able to exercise a ministry of Word and Sacrament in the following ways:
  1. A lay rostered leader of the ELCA in this position will be able to exercise a ministry of

Word and Service in the following ways:

  1. The rostered leader of the ELCA in this position will be supervised by the following office and/or person in our organization.
  1. Adequate job supervision and performance reviews for a rostered leader of the ELCA will be provided in the following ways:
  1. This agency/organization recognizes that it assumes liability for the acts, conduct, and work of a rostered leader of the ELCA while employed in this position; and will have liability coverage and insurance in the following ways:
  1. This agency/organization commits itself to immediate notification of the Office of the Bishop of the Virginia Synod of the ELCA, if it receives any allegation or report that the rostered leader called by the Virginia Synod Council has committed any type of misconduct. Check one of the following: ______Yes ______No

The above named institution/agency/entity therefore petitions the Virginia Synod Council of

The EvangelicalLutheranChurch in America to issue a Call to serve as

______

(Name of rostered leader)(Name of title or position)

Date ______Signature ______

Printed name ______

Organizational Title ______

Please send this petition to the following address:

Office of the Bishop, Virginia Synod, ELCA

P.O. Box 70

Salem, VA 24153

Virginia Synod Issuance of a Special Call Page 1 of 901/19/2013 rev.1

[1] Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the EvangelicalLutheranChurch in America, Edition current as of September 2011,copies available through the ELCA Resource oonline store at item code: ELCAOS1002, page 20-32

[2] Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the EvangelicalLutheranChurch in America, Edition current as of September 2011,copies available through the ELCA Resource oonline store at item code: ELCAOS1002, page 34-35.

[3] Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the EvangelicalLutheranChurch in America, Edition current as of September 2011,copies available through the ELCA Resource oonline store at item code: ELCAOS1002, page 35-38.

[4] Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the EvangelicalLutheranChurch in America, Edition current as of September 2011,copies available through the ELCA Resource oonline store at item code: ELCAOS1002, page 41-43.

[5] Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the EvangelicalLutheranChurch in America, Edition current as of September 2011,copies available through the ELCA Resource oonline store at item code: ELCAOS1002, page 50.

[6] Ibid, page 50-52.