It takes a couple of years for congregations that have hired a contract minister to build trust and develop a good relationship. When it seems time to strengthen their commitment and deepen the mutuality of their covenantal relationship, the congregation uses a contract to call discernment process. Similar in purpose to the candidating week in the settled search process (PDF), the contract to call process offers a chance for the congregation as a whole to take a big-picture view of its minister and ministry and its vision for the future, and whether their contract minister has the qualities needed to be the spiritual leader who will work with them toward that vision as a s/media/125969ettled minister.

(Note that transitional ministers, such as interim or developmental ministers, are not eligible to be called as a settled minister.)

A Quick Overview of the Contract to Call Process

• The process is usually begun after two full years of contact ministry
• The process and report should be completed by December, and the congregation vote to call scheduled before the beginning the search cycle in January.
• Both parties (minister and lay leaders) should feel that there is a pattern of good working relationships between the minister and lay leaders which should be reflected in the annual ministry assessments. Having shared experiences of resolving some low level conflicts or disagreements is a bonus.
• Both parties feel that there is a foundation of trust that has been built.
• There is a congregation-wide, full, and intentional period of assessment and discernment before any decisions are made. A Contract to Call Task force is appointed to guide the discernment and provide a report with the assessment. (See the Call Process and Task Force for details.)
• This discernment process may reveal that minister and congregation are not a good match, which would lead to a parting and a search for a new minister.

The sections below explain what’s involved, and will guide the task force through the process.