Church Resources

resources on this page

(Click on a link to go directly to that part of the page)

• Calling a worker

• Background screening

• MinistrySafe

Call a pastor

Call committees that want to extend a Divine Call to a pastor work closely with the District office and their circuit visitor throughout the call process. Please click here to contact the District office if your church would like to begin the call process for a pastor.

• Calling Ministers of Religion by Congregations

• Pre-Call Process & Transition Document

Call a Commissioned minister

Call committees that want to extend a Divine Call to a commissioned minister (teacher, director of Christian education, director of Christian outreach, deaconess, director of parish music, director of family life ministry, or director of church ministries) should review the following documents and forms:

• Call Process Outline for Commissioned Ministers

• Call Process Rubrics for Commissioned Ministers

• Calls vs. contracts for Commissioned Ministers

• Sample job descriptions

Remember to reach out to the Assistant to the President for Education or the Commissioned Workers Assistant to alert the District of the open call and for assistance and support throughout the call process. Get a head start on the process by completing the Intent to Call Form (DCE, DCO, Dcs., etc.)!

1. General information:

• Screening church leadership

• Press release about FBI background checks

2. Sample forms and policies:

• Sample screening policy 1: Child protection guidelines

• Sample screening policy 2: Sexual misconduct policy

• Sample background check authorization form

• Sample application form for volunteers

3. MN Statute 604.20 Background Checks for Called Workers

• Overview

• Informational Memorandum

4. Product & service discounts through LCMS group purchasing agreements

• AAIM Employers’ Association

• Protect My Ministry

A letter from President Woodford (May 22, 2023):

Revised and Updated MNS District Salary Guidelines--Rationale for the Return: 

The CPS Compensation Tool follows a corporate model of compensation responsive to the market. It analyzes what pastors are being paid across the synod (and in other church bodies, for comparison) to determine a baseline salary and then applies adjustments for ministry size and location and the pastor’s experience and education. This model is descriptive, simply indicating pastors are paid what pastors are paid. Our old district scale (like that of many other districts) was aspirational and based on the pay structure of local professionals of similar education whose experience was also highly valued, such as public-school teachers. In that model pastors are paid what other local professionals are paid.

After using the CPS Compensation Tool for four years and receiving feedback on a variety of issues with the Tool, the MNS District has decided to return to the former MNS District Salary Guidelines. They have been revised and updated accordingly and are now available for our congregations and schools to use.

Ultimately, the matter of a congregation and/or school’s compensation of its called workers is a spiritual matter. According to the scripture references in the revised and updated guidelines, these called workers should be paid in loving response to the gifts God provides through them in service to the congregation and/or school they serve.

We believe the revised and updated MNS District Guidelines provide a more salutary approach to determining compensation. At the same time, it is important to understand this is never to be done absent the scriptural basis of support and care for our called workers.

I pray these revised and updated MNS District Guidelines will assist you in the spiritual task of providing adequate compensation for your called workers.

In Christ,

updated & revised Compensation guidelines

(Click on the button for a pdf of the guidelines)

If you have questions or need assistance using these tools, please contact Joshua Wagner, Minnesota South District Business Manager.

Ministry Sabbatical planning

Ministry Sabbatical Resources provides valuable information for congregations and church workers to carefully plan and make a ministry sabbatical a regular part of how a congregation cares for its church workers. The two coaches listed—Rev. Tim Fangmeier and Rev. Arthur Umbach—to help with the planning are available free of charge. Funding for the website and coaching comes through the We Raise Foundation (formerly Wheat Ridge Ministries). Ministry sabbaticals are a wonderful way to provide respite for church workers out of the pandemic and fan into flame again their hearts for ministry. This resource is a great tool to help make this happen.

Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) summary

"Sick and safe time is paid leave employers must provide to employees in Minnesota that can be used for certain reasons, including when an employee is sick, to care for a sick family member or to seek assistance if an employee or their family member has experienced domestic abuse." (source)

Does Minnesota's new law regarding paid sick and safe time apply to us?

We have received a number of inquiries regarding the law that was recently passed, regarding the provision of Earned Sick and Safe Time for employees in Minnesota. In short, yes, this provision will, in most cases, apply to church and school workers in the Minnesota South District as there is no religious exemption.

Eligibility

"An employee is eligible for Earned Sick and Safe Time if they:

• work at least 80 hours in a year for an employer in Minnesota; and

• are not an independent contractor.

Temporary and part-time employees are eligible for sick and safe time." (source)

Noticing Requirements

1. Employers need to provide employees with notice in English and in an employee's primary language by 1/1/2024 and to new hires. It also needs to be included in the employee handbook if one exists.

2. Employers need to include information about ESST hours available for use and used in the pay period on earnings statements provided to employees.

An editable template has been provided by the MN DLI. Here’s an example.

Next steps

You should read the MN Department of Labor and Industry's ESST page for more detail about rights and responsibilities. If you need more information, their excellent FAQ addresses many situational issues. Reference: Minnesota Statute on ESST

Local ordinances

Local ESST ordinances already exist in the cities of Bloomington, Duluth, Minneapolis and St. Paul so make sure follow the most protective law that applies to your employees.

Constitution & Bylaw resources

• MN South District Guidance for Making Changes to Constitution and Bylaws Churches in the process of making changes to their constitution and / or bylaws should keep this handy.

• MN South District Checklist for New / Revised Constitutions List of items to review and consider before submitting your constitution and / or bylaw changes to the constitution committee.

• Guidelines for Constitutions and Bylaws of Lutheran Congregations This LCMS resource provides guidelines for developing your congregation’s constitution and bylaws.

• Protect your ministry: A legal guide to protecting churches, Christian schools, and Christian ministries from religious freedom threats

• Built on the Rock leader’s pack This pack is especially helpful for churches that are considering changes to their governance model.