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, Mission Formation (Dr. Phillip Johnson) or the Commissioned Workers Assistant (Christina Krentz) 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

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.

REPORTS DUE OCTOBER 31, 2024

LCMS church and school administrators with locations in Minnesota should note that they must submit reports by October 31st to comply with Minnesota's new Paid Leave program requirements. Minnesota law requires everyone who pays covered wages in Minnesota to register for an employer account. You should register as soon as first wages are paid. To avoid penalties, register prior to the due date of the first quarterly wage detail report you are required to submit. Premiums are set to begin in 2026. https://uimn.org/employers

Although many of us continue to be exempt from participation in Minnesota's Unemployment Insurance program, there is no similar exemption from the new Paid Leave program. Please note that this program does not cover independent contractors, which in some cases includes LCMS called workers

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.