Welcome

Information for Congregations in Call Process

The purpose of the Support to Ministries Committee of the South Dakota Synod is to walk with congregations as they begin, work through, and complete the search for new church leadership.  The committee is represented by each of the seven conferences of the South Dakota Synod, one ordained and one lay representative from each conference.

Download the Call Process Booklet

• South Dakota Synod Call Process Manual (pdf)

Contact Synod Staff

If you have any questions about your congregation’s call process or the above forms, please contact Rev. Renee Splichal Larson, Associate to the Bishop for Candidacy, Congregation, and Rostered Minister Accompaniment at 605-274-4022 or Crystal McCormick, Candidacy and Mobility Office Coordinator at 605-274-4024.

Steps in Seeking a New Rostered Minister

Instructions: Click headings below for more information and resources.

Click here for a list of Call Process Resources.

1. INFORM THE SYNOD OFFICE OF YOUR ROSTERED MINISTER OPENING.

When a congregation seeks to call a new rostered minister, the council president informs the Synod Office.

Consult your congregation’s constitution and by-laws for your call process guidelines. Updates may be necessary.

Seek prayer and reflection as your congregation goes through the transition of calling a new rostered minister.

2. ARRANGE FOR PASTORAL/ROSTERED MINISTER ASSISTANCE DURING TRANSITION.

The council president contacts the synod office to arrange Pulpit Supply and/or Interim ministry, depending on what is appropriate for your congregation.

Lists of contacts available for interim and pulpit supply.

Consult with Synod staff about the option of a Vice Pastor:

• Vice Pastor Agreement (pdf)

3. CONGREGATIONAL ASSESSMENT

Your congregation will form a Call Committee according to your constitution to work directly with the Synod. Your Call Committee should reflect the demographics of your congregation.

Complete your congregation’s Ministry Site Profile (MSP). This document is the primary tool used to describe your congregation, its mission and ministry needs. This document will introduce your congregation to the candidate. In order to present your congregation in the best light it is important to take plenty of time and prayer as you work on this document. The MSP can be found online at: www.elca.org/call-processhttps://www.elca.org/call-process.

A helpful tool for the congregation’s MSP is the Vitality Survey found at:

www.congregationalvitalitysurvey.com.

4. MINISTRY SITE STUDY.

A ministry site study is scheduled with a member of the Synod Staff and may also include your Conference Dean and/or Conference Lay Person.

At the Ministry Site Study, Synod Staff explains the call process, answers questions, and reviews the MSP with the congregation. For the sake of transparency and keeping people informed, it is important that the whole congregation be invited to attend; leadership, including the Call Committee and Council, should make it a priority to be present.

Ministry Site Profile Login (ELCA.org)

5. CANDIDATES

The Call Committee receives Rostered Minister Profiles (RMPs) from the Synod. These candidate profile(s) are sent from the Synod office to the Call Committee chairperson after the ministry site study has been completed.

Call Committee then receives and reviews RMPs.

After the Call Committee reviews potential candidate(s), the Call Committee chairperson arranges a time for the candidate(s) to be interviewed by the committee. Interviews can take place in-person, via phone, or video call (ex. Skype, Zoom, FaceTime or GoToMeeting).

During the candidate process, it is the duty of the Call Committee chairperson to communicate clearly and promptly with the candidate(s) of the timeline and progress made by the committee.

See additional resources in the call process manual.

6. RECOMMENDATION PROCESS

With candidate’s approval, the Call Committee recommends candidate to council. The council may choose to move forward or not with a candidate. If church council approves candidate, then church council:

• Chooses to bring candidate back for conversation with council and/or meet and greet with congregation.
• Negotiates compensation, housing, etc. (see synod compensation guidelines)
• Drafts Letter of Call along with the Definition of Compensation, Benefits and Responsibilities.
• Motions for a congregational meeting for a vote to call the candidate.

If church council rejects candidate or candidate removes their name from the process, return to Step 5.

7. CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

• The Candidate’s profile is presented to the congregation.
• The congregation votes by ballot to call a candidate. Two-thirds majority is required.
• The Call Committee chair informs the candidate of the congregation’s decision.
• If the congregation votes to extend a call, sign the Letter of Call and send the Letter of Call along with the Definition of Compensation, Benefits, and Responsibilities to the synod office for the Bishop’s signature.

If the congregational vote does not meet the two-thirds majority, return to step 5.

8. CANDIDATE DISCERNS CALL

• A congregation will typically hear from the called candidate within 30 days of the candidate’s receipt of the Letter of Call. The candidate may request a meeting with the church council for purposes of further information and clarification on the Letter of Call, moving arrangements, and start date.
• If the response is “yes”, then proceed with plans for the candidate’s moving, start date, and installation.
• If the response is “no”, begin again with Step 5.

9. INSTALLATION

• The installation is arranged by the council president and new pastor in consultation with the synod office.
• The bishop, associate to the bishop, or conference dean participates in the Service of Installation.
• Welcome your new rostered minister and their family (as applicable).

Congregations in Transition

We are thankful that even in this time of transition, each of these congregations continues to be served with the ministry of Word and Sacrament.

In Process

In Process:  Congregations/Parishes who are forming their call committee and actively working on their Ministry Site Profile.

Full-Time:

Beresford, Roseni/Akron, Union Creek (solo) – Ministry Site Study scheduled 2/15/2023

Bridgewater, Zion/Canova, Immanuel (solo) – Ministry Site Study scheduled 3/01/2023

Bryant, Our Redeemer/Willow Lake, Good Hope (Prairie Star Lutheran Parish) (solo) – Ministry Site Study scheduled 3/12/2023

De Smet, American (solo): David Peterson, Interim – Ministry Site Study scheduled 3/26/2023

Sioux Falls, St. John’s (solo): Lon Kvanli, Interim – Ministry Site Study scheduled 3/05/2023

Sioux Falls, WestSide (solo) – Ministry Site Study scheduled 2/05/2023

Part-Time:

Alcester, Nathanael (part-time)

Hudson, Hudson (part-time)

Humboldt, St. Paul (part-time)

Accepting Names

Accepting Names:  Congregations/Parishes who have formed a call committee, completed their Ministry Site Profile and Ministry Site Study, and are currently accepting names.

Full-Time:

Aberdeen, Zion (solo): Jim Holthus, Interim

Artesian, First/Carthage, Trinity/Iroquois, Immanuel (Prairie Lutheran Parish) (solo)

Bison, American/Indian Creek/Rosebud (Prairie Fellowship Parish) (solo)

Bowdle, St. Paul/Hosmer, St. John (Great Plains Parish) (solo): David Peterson, Interim

Buffalo, Grand River (solo)

Corsica, Our Savior/Stickney, St. Paul (solo)

Howard, Bethany (solo): David Jennys, Interim

Pierre, Resurrection (solo)

Redfield, Our Savior’s (solo)

Revillo, Trinity & Zoar (solo): Hans Sacrison, Pulpit Supply

Sioux Falls, Our Savior’s (associate)

Part-Time:

Bristol, Bergen (part-time): Nicole Phillips, SAM

Bristol, Bethesda & Butler, Butler (part-time): Kristi Anderson, SAM

Colman, Colman (part-time): Dell Sanderson, Interim

Estelline, Trinity (part-time): Dan & Laura Overbo, Interims

Lake Preston, Lake Whitewood (part-time): Steve Loan, SAM

Oldham, Oldham & Ramona, St. John (solo): Wanda Biel, SAM

Sioux Falls, Springdale (part-time)

Strandburg, Tabor (part-time)

Webster, American (solo): Nicole Phillips, SAM

Interviewing

Interviewing (*= final candidate):  Congregations/Parishes currently interviewing candidates.

An (*) by a congregation indicates that they are down to a final candidate. Please check with the synod office to see if any of these congregations are still accepting names even though they are interviewing.

Full-Time:

*Custer, Custer Lutheran Fellowship (solo): Jeremy Duprey, Vice Pastor – vote scheduled 2/05/2023

Part-Time:

Calls Extended

Calls Extended:  Congregations/Parishes who have extended a call.

Full-Time:

Dirk Hagmaier – Christ, Hartford (solo)

Kevin Jensen – Grace, Sturgis (senior)

Carla Nelson – Grace, Sturgis (associate)

Jason Burggraff – First, Sioux Falls (senior)

Kris Wollman – First, Mitchell (deacon)

Erik Thone – Messiah New Hope, Sioux Falls (solo)

Shari Schwedhelm – Our Savior, Highmore (solo)

Heidi Binstock – Gloria Dei, Sioux Falls (executive pastor)

Eric Ohrtman – Spirit of Joy, Sioux Falls (senior)

Dan Overbo – Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Watertown (senior)

Laura Overbo – Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Watertown (associate)

Koren Lindley – Trinity, Madison (deacon)

Part-Time:

Installations & Ordinations

Installations:  Individuals being ordained and/or installed.

Corey Scott (First Call/Seminarian) – Zion, Garretson (solo) – January 8, 2022

Amanda Randall (First Call/Seminarian) – Peace, Sioux Falls (deacon) – January 29-30 & February 2, 2022

Michael Jordan (First Call/Seminarian) – Trinity, Yankton (associate) – February 12-13, 2022

Don Reiffenberger – Christ, Salem (solo) – February 27, 2022

Lisa Heffernan – Luther Center at USD, Vermillion (Campus Pastor) – March 6, 2022

Josh Knudsen – Grace, Sisseton (solo) – March 13, 2022

Herb Wounded Head – First & St. Jacob’s, Colton (solo) – April 3, 2022

Alex Smith – Peace, Sioux Falls (associate) – April 30 & May 1, 2022

Mary Sacco – Emmanuel, Beresford (solo) – May 22, 2022

Alan Blankenfeld – South Dakota Synod (Rural Ministry Liaison) – June 3, 2022 (Synod Assembly)

Drew Riter (First Call/Seminarian) – Gayville, Gayville/Bergen, Meckling (solo) – July 9, 2022

Randy Youngquist-Thurow – Lutherans Outdoors in SD (Deacon/Associate Director) – July 17, 2022 (NeSoDak)

Jeff Backer – St. Dysmas, Sioux Falls (solo) – July 21, 2022

Dayna Weltzin (First Call/Seminarian) – St. Paul’s, Clear Lake (solo) – July 23, 2022

John Paulson – Augustana Lutheran, Sioux Falls (part-time) – July 24, 2022

Hannah Fleming (First Call/Seminarian) – Spirit of Joy, Sioux Falls (deacon) – August 21, 2022

Steven Lindley – Trinity, Madison (solo) – August 28, 2022

Brian Wasmoen – Trinity, Mitchell (solo) – September 4, 2022

Henrique Fleming – Grace, Parker (solo) – September 11, 2022

Lando Anderson – Holy Cross, Sioux Falls (senior) – September 18, 2022

Katie Pauly (First Call/Seminarian) – Leganger, Toronto (solo) – September 18, 2022

Becky Senner – Spirit of Hope, Scotland (solo) – October 2, 2022

Young Chung – Trinity, Chamberlain (solo) – October 9, 2022

Mark Eliason – First/Palisade, Valley Springs (part-time) – October 9, 2022

Matt Spoden – Bethlehem, Aberdeen (associate) – November 12-13, 2022

Martha Atkins – Community Faith, Edgemont (solo) – November 13, 2022

Laura Beall (First Call/Seminarian) – St. John’s, Hot Springs (solo) – November 20, 2022

Ramona Hayes – Our Savior’s, Flandreau (solo) – November 20, 2022

Elias Johnson-Youngquist (First Call/Seminarian) – Zion, Hartford (solo) – November 20, 2022

Kevin Jensen – Grace, Sturgis (senior) – December 4, 2022

Carla Nelson – Grace, Sturgis (associate) – December 4, 2022

Nancy Rieke (First Call/Seminarian) – Our Savior’s, Wessington Springs (solo) – December 4, 2022

Dirk Hagmaier – Christ, Hartford (solo) – December 7 & 11, 2022

Shari Schwedhelm – Our Savior, Highmore (solo) – January 8, 2023

Jason Burggraff – First, Sioux Falls (senior) – January 21-22, 2023

Erik Thone – Messiah New Hope, Sioux Falls (solo) – January 22, 2023

Jonathan Nerdig (First Call/Seminarian) – Ascension, Brookings (associate) – January 29, 2023

Kris Wollman – First, Mitchell (deacon) – February 5, 2023

Dan Overbo – Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Watertown (senior) – February 11-12, 2023

Laura Overbo – Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Watertown (associate) – February 11-12, 2023

Eric Ohrtman – Spirit of Joy, Sioux Falls (senior) – February 12, 2023

Heidi Binstock – Gloria Dei, Sioux Falls (executive pastor) – February 18-19, 2023

Koren Lindley – Trinity, Madison (deacon) – April 23, 2023

Ordinations:

Corey Scott – Zion, Garretson – January 8, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.

Michael Jordan – Roseville Lutheran, Roseville, MN – February 5, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.

Drew Riter – Gayville Lutheran, Gayville – July 9, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.

Dayna Weltzin – St. Paul’s, Clear Lake – July 23, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.

Hannah Fleming – Calvary, Rapid City – July 30, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. MT

Katie Pauly – Zion, Hartford – September 17, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

Nancy Rieke – Messiah, Flandreau – October 15, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.

Elias Johnson-Youngquist – First, Sioux Falls – October 15, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.

Laura Beall – Trinity, Yankton – November 4, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.

Jonathan Nerdig – St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church (100 Oxford St N, St. Paul, MN 55104) – December 3, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.

Call Process Yet to Begin

Call Process Yet To Begin:

Full-Time:

Mission Hill, Vangen/Volin, Faith United (solo)

Mount Vernon, Salem (solo)

Pierre, Lutheran Memorial (associate)

Rapid City, South Canyon (associate)

Sioux Falls, First (associate)

Volga, First (senior/associate)

Part-Time:

Clark, St. Paul (part-time)

Fairview, Bethany (part-time)

Forestburg, Forestburg (part-time): Agapito Aviles, Interim

Irene, Our Redeemer (part-time)

McLaughlin, Redeemer (part-time)

Synod Authorized Ministry (SAM) Sites

Synod Authorized Ministry (SAM) Sites

Alcester, Nathanael – Mary Hendricks Wilkens

Bowdle, St. Paul/Hosmer, St. John (Great Plains Parish) – Janet Sandmeier

Bristol, Bergen & Webster, American – Nicole Phillips

Bristol, Bethesda & Butler – Kristi Anderson

Bryant, Our Redeemer/Willow Lake, Good Hope (Prairie Star Lutheran Parish) – Pam Seefeldt

Crocker, Crocker – Marion Grimes

Dell Rapids, Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids – Pat Eidsness

Elk Point, Brule Creek – Rhonda Hansen

Forestburg, Forestburg – Dianna Senska

Howard, Bethany – David Jennys

Java, St. Paul – Mary Gruebele

Lake Preston, Lake Preston/North Preston – Brad Sanderson

Lake Preston, Lake Whitewood – Steve Loan

Langford Lutheran Parish – Diane Hoines

Oldham, Oldham/Ramona, St. John – Wanda Biel

Rapid City, Lord of Life – Amber Wichmann

Selby, Bethany – Dale Hamre

Sioux Falls, First Lutheran African Ministry – Abraham Gayetaye

Strandburg, Tabor – Elmer Brinkman

Timber Lake, Prairie Parish – Teri Gayer

Waubay, Our Savior’s – Marion Grimes