Caring for Called Workers: One Congregation’s Perspective

CANADA – When the Lutheran Church–Canada’s Board of Directors released “Guidelines for Caring for Called Workers” in September 2025, the hope was to offer congregations a clear, biblically-grounded framework for caring for their pastors, deacons, and other called workers. Some congregations were just beginning that conversation. Others had been living it out for years.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Saskatoon was one of the first congregations to adopt the guidelines formally, and found they affirmed a culture of care that was already in place. When Rev. Murray Keith—who has served the congregation for nearly 13 years—and the Board of Lay Ministry reviewed the eleven points together, they recognized much that was already happening in the congregation.

“When we went through the eleven points in the Guidelines, we could essentially say, ‘yep, good, good, good’ and check our way through them,” notes Rev. Keith. “A lot of these things were in place. The congregation had already considered them, or was functioning in a way where these things were already happening.”

Part of that foundation, Rev. Keith shared, was the influence of a clergy formation program (Doxology) that both he and his predecessor, Rev. Mark Dressler, had participated in. Lay members from the congregation also attended and brought what they learned back into the life of St. Paul’s.

Making A Commitment

Rather than adopt the Guidelines at the board level alone, the Board of Lay Ministry made a deliberate choice to bring them to the whole congregation for consideration at a voters’ meeting, noting that “it was important that the whole congregation be made aware of it and have a say in it.”

At the November 2025 voters’ meeting, the Guidelines were unanimously approved—something which ensures the commitment carries forward beyond any one season of leadership.

Small Changes, Meaningful Results

Since the adoption, Rev. Keith has observed a few changes in the congregation, including: more affirmation finding its way to the pastor: texts, emails, kind notes; a stronger focus on professional development; and a growing sense of fellowship and engagement across the congregation.

None of these changes may seem dramatic on their own. Together, however, they reflect a congregation becoming more intentional about caring for those who serve.

When asked how he understood the Guidelines theologically, Rev. Keith explained: “There’s more than just operational success behind these Guidelines. There’s a reflection of God’s love and care and concern for each one of us, and the health of the pastors and the congregations and all called workers. It reflects the very basis of who we are and why we exist and what we do. And ultimately, that’s loving and caring for each other.”

Rev. Keith’s encouragement to other congregations is simple: prioritize this. Even when things feel fine, the Guidelines are designed to anticipate needs before they become urgent. He points to Guideline #1 as a natural place to begin—gathering a small group to oversee how the Guidelines are lived out in your context.

Whether the Guidelines find your congregation already living most of them out, or whether you are just beginning to explore what caring for your called worker more intentionally might look like, the invitation is the same. It could be highly beneficial to bring the document to your leadership and start the conversation on what the next steps could look like.

Getting Support

If you have questions or would like support implementing these guidelines, please contact your Regional Pastor or Circuit Counsellor.

Rev. Keith has also kindly offered to be available to congregations who would like to hear more about their experience. You can connect with him at stpaulslcc@sasktel.net.

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