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Glossary entry

German term or phrase:

Berufung / Berufungsschreiben

English translation:

Call / Letter of Call

Added to glossary by Timoshka
May 9, 2013 23:46
11 yrs ago
6 viewers *
German term

Berufung / Berufungsschreiben

German to English Social Sciences Religion
Early 20th-century church council minutes from a German Lutheran parish in Texas make several references to searches for replacement pastors. Phrases such as "...wird beauftragt, die Berufung an Pastor X abzusenden," "...wird beauftragt, das Berufungsschreiben an Pastor X abzusenden," and "die Geminde einigte sich auf die Berufung des Pastor X" occur several times. I understand it is the intention of this Berufung/Berufungsschreiben to offer an appointment as pastor, but I'm not sure if there is a specific and precise translation for this or not. I am tentatively using "offer of appointment" for both "Berufung" and "Berufungsschreiben" in this context. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Proposed translations (English)
5 +1 Call / Letter of Call
4 +3 call
5 +1 call
3 call/letter of appointment

Discussion

William Swanson Aug 13, 2013:
... because those are interim pastors... You're basically talking apples and oranges when you compare the appointment of an interim pastor (a temporary relationship) with calling a pastor (usually without a specific term.)
Timoshka (asker) May 10, 2013:
This is the sort of thing I've been finding: "1863: A group of thirteen families sent a call to Pastor F. W. Lange, who was the first Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) pastor in Kansas, serving near Junction City. Pastor Lange accepted the call."
Timoshka (asker) May 10, 2013:
I was avoiding "appointment," since it sounds like the congregation is simply appointing a minister, rather than requesting a minister to accept their offer of a position as such. After all, the minister could (and often did) decline the "appointment."
AllegroTrans May 10, 2013:
why not "appointment"? Lutheran Church Appoints Interim Pastor - AntonNews.com
Lutheran Church of Our Savior has announced the appointment of the Rev. Dr. C. Thomas Spitz as interim pastor for the period of Sept. 1 to Dec. 31. "Dr. Spitz, a ...
www.antonnews.com/portwashingtonnews/2002/09/06/news/... - Cached
Timoshka (asker) May 10, 2013:
Update. I have found a few websites which refer to a German Lutheran congregation "sending a call to" a prospective pastor, and also references to said pastor "receiving a call" from a parish in need of his services. Perhaps that is the best translation for "Berufung/Berufungsschreiben?"
Timoshka (asker) May 9, 2013:
I have searched, but I have not found anything specific yet.
AllegroTrans May 9, 2013:
Asker - prior research Have you researched Lutheran websites to see what terms are used in English? I would imagine that whatever term is used, it would be specific to the denomination and used consistently.

Proposed translations

+1
6 hrs
Selected

Call / Letter of Call

I am ordained minister, having served both in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and in the United Church of Christ. This is the terminology used in both denominations. For Lutheran usage, see the links below
Reference:

http://www.mnosynod.org/PDFs/sample%20call%20letter.pdf

http://www.taalc.org/Assets/Letter_of_Call.pdf

Peer comment(s):
agree William Swanson : I know it's long after the fact, but to bring some clarity... I was also ordained in the Lutheran church. Call/letter of call are the proper terms in Lutheran churches. "Letters of appointment" are for non-ordained church leaders.
95 days
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you, William, for your expertise! I appreciate the help."
+3
1 hr

call

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976...

am answering one of the two questions based on fair research (you should really post "Berufungsschreiben" as a separate question accordingt to the Kudoz rules

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Note added at 1 hr (2013-05-10 00:57:28 GMT)
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check put the link and you'll see how the process works

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Note added at 1 hr (2013-05-10 01:00:17 GMT)
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What is a Call?
For Lutherans, "call" or "calling" refers to the vocations of every Christian — the roles in which they live out their faith, such as family member, citizen, worker, church member. In the context of public ministry, a call is an official invitation to become a public leader in this church. A pastor, deaconess, diaconal minister or associate in ministry receives a call as he or she begins serving a congregation, institution, or agency of this church.

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Note added at 1 hr (2013-05-10 01:01:51 GMT)
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maybe "official invitation letter" for "Berufungsschreiben" but wouldn't bet my last penny on it
Note from asker:
Thank you for all the info! I do realize that questions should be limited to one word/phrase, but since Berufung and Berufungsschreiben were being used interchangeably in these church minutes, I thought that combining them into one inquiry would simplify the matter.
Peer comment(s):
agree milinad
4 hrs
agree Ramey Rieger (X) : I hear the call......
11 hrs
agree philgoddard : Why is everyone posting the same answer?
12 hrs
Something went wrong...
+1
2 hrs

call

The word "call" seems a bit odd, but overwhelmingly that is what is used in this context.
Peer comment(s):
agree milinad
3 hrs
Something went wrong...
18 hrs

call/letter of appointment

I see a lot of references to new pastors being called. But when it comes to the end of the calling process when they actually notify the pastor elect, both "letter of call" or "letter of appointment" seem to be acceptable.

It may not be necessary to use "Berufung" in each instance; for instance, you could be saying "the congregation elected Pastor X"...
Reference:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/4686413/THE-EVANGELICAL-LUTHERAN-CHURCH-IN-AMERICA-LETTER-OF-APPOINTMENT

http://www.ascension-lcms.com/call-process/

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