OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIFIC MINISTRY IN THE ELCA
Pastoral Ministry
Associate in Ministry
Deaconess
Diaconal Ministry
“
This church affirms the universal priesthood of all its baptized
members. In its function and its structure, this church commits itself
to the equipping and supporting of all its members for their ministries
in the world and in this church. It is within this context of ministry
that this church calls some of its baptized members for specific
ministries in this church.” (ELCA Constitution, 7.11)
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Pastoral Ministry
Pastors are called for the sake of the Gospel ministry to the
office of Word and Sacrament. Pastors exemplify:
• Commitment to Christ
• Acceptance of and adherence to the Confession of faith of this
Church
• Willingness and ability to serve in response to the needs of this
Church
• Leadership abilities and competence in interpersonal relationships
• Commitment to lead a life worthy of the Gospel of Christ and to
be an example in faithful service and holy living
Minimum Preparation Requirements:
• Positive entrance decision, endorsement, and approval of a synodical
candidacy committee
• Master of Divinity degree from an accredited theological school
in North America
• Field experience (internship and Clinical Pastoral Education)
• One year residency at an ELCA seminary
Vocation/Work Focus:
•
Preach the Word; administer the sacraments; conduct public worship;
provide pastoral care; seek out and encourage qualified persons
for the ministry of the Gospel; witness to the Kingdom of God in
the community, the nation, and abroad; speak publicly to the world
in solidarity with the poor and oppressed, calling for justice
and proclaiming God’s love for the world
• Letter of call extended by a congregation, synod council or Church
Council
Associates in Ministry
Associates in Ministry are called to provide leadership and support
for the ministries of the whole people of God in the Christian faith
primarily through congregationally based programmatic ministries
(areas of specialization include education, music, administration,
and general parish service).
Associates in Ministry exemplify:
• Commitment to Christ
• Acceptance of and adherence to the Confession of faith of this
Church
• Willingness and ability to serve in response to the needs of this
Church
• Leadership abilities and competence in interpersonal relationships
• Commitment to lead a life worthy of the Gospel of Christ and to
be an example in faithful service and holy living
Minimum Preparation Requirements:
• Positive entrance decision, endorsement, and approval of a synodical
candidacy committee
• A baccalaureate degree plus a minimum of 20 semester credit hours
in theological core courses (undergraduate or graduate level)
• Supervised field experience
• Specialization courses or appropriate professional certification
Vocation/Work Focus:
• Positions supportive of members of the faith community
• Letter of call extended by a congregation, synod council or Church
Council
Deaconness
Deaconesses form a community of skilled and committed women to complement
the ministry of Word and Sacrament as well as the ministry of the
whole people of God. The deaconess is empowered for a life in service,
a life supported in community.
Deaconesses live a life:
• In service to church and society
• Grounded in Biblical witness and the Lutheran Confessions
• In intercessory prayer, corporate worship, and spiritual discipline
and direction
• Nurturing and empowering one another
• Providing places for reflection and gathering
• Affirming the diversity and gifts of all people
Minimum Preparation Requirements:
• Positive entrance and approval decisions of a synodical candidacy
committee; endorsement by the Deaconess Community
• Meets academic and professional standards of her chosen occupation
•
Service in a congregation requires a master’s degree in theological
studies (including a quarter hour of supervised clinical ministry)
• If not in congregational service, a minimum of 20 semester credit
hours in core theological courses
• Deaconess candidate seminar
• One year internship
Vocation/work focus:
•
Positions on the frontier of the church’s outreach, often
among the poor and the marginalized
• Letter of call extended by congregation, synod council or Church
Council, in consultation and with the agreement of the Board of
the Directors of the Deaconess Community.
Diaconal Ministry
Diaconal Ministers seek to empower, equip, and support the
baptized people of God in the ministry of Jesus Christ and the mission
of
God in the world. They extend the church’s ministry of witness
and care into the world to address societal needs. In this fashion,
they assist this church to ‘serve in response to God’s
love to meet human needs, care for the sick and the aged, advocating
dignity and justice for all people, working for peace and reconciliation
among the nations, and standing with the poor and powerless and committing
itself to their needs.’
Diaconal Ministers are called to:
• Be rooted in the Word of God
• Be trained to carry out a particular service
• Be committed and prepared to equip the baptized for ministry in
the world and the church
• Give particular attention to ministries at the boundaries between
the church and world
• Exemplify the life of Christ-like service addressing all forms
of human need
• Be grounded in community
Minimum Preparation Requirements:
• Positive entrance decision, endorsement, and approval of a synodical
candidacy committee
• First level theology degree and area of specialization
• Field Work
• Spiritual Direction
• Diaconal Ministry Formation Event
Vocation/Work Focus:
•
Positions that exemplify the servant life and that empower the
baptized for the mission of God in the world and extending the
Church’s ministry of witness to the world
• Letter of call extended by a congregation, synod council or Church
Council
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