Following a decision by the 2015 General Convention of Synod (Resolution 151209), the then General Church Council commissioned an investigation into the LCA call process in order to hear from congregations about their views and expectations of the process and to identify ways the system could be improved.

The review made a number of recommendations. Overall it found that the system itself does not require significant structural change. However, it did identify that there is frustration about the system and a process that can be disheartening for some calling bodies. As a result, the review also identified scope for improvement in the efficiency and transparency of the process.

The General Church Board has received the report, considered its recommendations and approved a series of actions to implement them. These actions were developed in consultation with the College of Bishops. Some of them are already under development; for example, Church Worker Support is working on a framework for annual vocational reviews of pastors. Others will be developed and rolled out through this synodical period and beyond.

The focus of the actions is to support both calling bodies and pastors to:

• improve trust in the call process
• increase the chances of a good calling body/pastor fit
• improve the understanding of how the call process works, and
• ensure greater professionalism, and overall efficiency and transparency in the system.

These actions can be implemented through policy, operational processes and provision of resources to support all participants in the call system.

Click here to read General Church Board’s response to the recommendations of the review report.