Part 2:   Candidates are graduated from seminary and approved by the faculty as candidates for ordination.  The candidate is not ordained, however, until he/she receives  a Call. a formal document expressing the willingness of a congregation to accept the ministry of the candidate.  Candidates today are  typically ordained in a group at the synod assembly in the summer, or in individual churches--either the pastor's home church or the one to which the candidate is called.  (A call can also be issued by an institution, such as a hospital, college, etc.).  The ordained pastor is installed in the parish in a public ceremony.  But once called to a parish; the call is in effect until the Pastor decides that the Call is no longer valid.  The only way the Congregation can end the call is to declare the pulpit vacant.  A drastic step, often indicating quite a breach between pastor and people.

A pastor who has resigned a call is "without call" and remains for 3 years on the roster.

Pr Chris