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Pastoral care during the vacancy 

Despite its pastoral vacancy, the congregation's ministry continues. It will likely need to be pared back. It will also require additional effort from the congregation's leaders and members. A vacancy pastor's leadership and oversight is also essential. In consultation with the district president, the congregation should consider the following options. Both the needs of the congregation and the availability of vacancy pastors will be factors in how the congregation is served.

An on-site  retired pastor

Scope of service

  • Serves about twenty hours per week

  • Leads worship every Sunday

  • Teaches Sunday Bible class, youth catechism, and adult instruction classes (BIC)

  • Assists the elders in visiting the hospitalized, the homebound, and mission prospects 

  • Attends meetings

  • Typically serves 3-6 months

Compensation

  • Minimum salary of $2,691 monthly ($2,500 plus $191 SECA contribution); this income must be reported on a W-2

  • Adequately-furnished parsonage or apartment

  • One round-trip between the pastor's home and congregation reimbursed at $0.25/mile plus meals and hotels

  • Ministry mileage reimbursed at $0.60/mile

Considerations

The district president will assist the congregation in identifying candidates; due to the high number of pastoral vacancies in the WELS, acquiring the services of a retired pastor cannot be guaranteed

A local or regional pastor

Scope of service

  • Serves vacancy in addition to his own congregation

  • Leads worship all or most Sundays; the vacant congregation will likely need to adjust its worship schedule

  • Teaches Sunday Bible class, youth catechism, and adult instruction classes (BIC) as he is able

  • Works with leaders to coordinate the congregation's ongoing ministry; attends meetings as he is able

  • Visitation of the hospitalized, the homebound, and mission prospects is done by congregation's leaders

Compensation

  • Minimum salary of $1,722 monthly ($1,600 plus $122 SECA contribution); this income must be reported on a W-2

  • Salary may be pro-rated, e.g., 100% for leading worship every Sunday, 50% for every other Sunday

  • Mileage to and from the congregation and ministry mileage reimbursed at $0.60/mile

Considerations

  • The vacant congregation must be flexible with its schedule to allow the pastor to serve his home congregation too.

  • Due to the distance between WELS congregations on the east coast and the current congregational ministry load of pastors within relative driving distance, it is very unlikely that vacancy service of two or more Sundays per month can be a long-term option.

Cooperation of regional pastors

Scope of service

  • One or more pastors share pastoral responsibilities with the congregation’s leaders

  • Pastor(s) lead worship 1-2 times per month

  • Pastor(s) potentially teach Bible class, youth catechism, and adult instruction classes (BIC) as their schedules allow

  • Lead vacancy pastor involved in some coordination of congregation’s ongoing ministry through its leaders; attends meetings as he is able

  • On Sundays when there is no pastor available to serve, elders lead worship using sermons provided by lead vacancy pastor or possibly sermon videos from other WELS churches

  • Visitation of the hospitalized, the homebound, and mission prospects is done by congregational leaders

Compensation

  • One Sunday worship and Bible Class: $200 plus mileage at $0.60 and tolls between his home and the church

  • One Sunday worship and Bible Class and youth catechism and BIC: $400 plus mileage at $0.60 and tolls between his home and the church and any additional ministry mileage

Considerations

If multiple pastors are involved, the congregation should call one of them to be lead vacancy pastor who serves as the main point of contact and has pastoral oversight of the congregation.

Calling a vacancy pastor

  • Please work closely with the district president in identifying and calling a vacancy pastor.

  • Discuss details of responsibilities, compensation, housing, and time off with a potential vacancy pastor before extending a formal call. The congregation should not expect the vacancy pastor to work more than twenty hours per week. The congregation's ministry will likely need to be dialed back during the vacancy.

  • The vacancy pastor should be formally called by the congregation during a voters' meeting. Click the thumbnail for a printable call form.

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