+Pr. Heather Culuris, Synod Minster
At times as we are working with congregations and their leaders, questions are asked about how people prepare to be pastors to serve in the ELCA. Learning at seminary and the synod process to prepare pastors is called Candidacy. Below you will find a summary of that process that can be shared with congregations who are curious or with potential people discerning a call to ministry.
Candidacy in the ELCA is a nationally defined formation process because pastors can serve across the ELCA and country. Our candidacy process is similar to that in other denominations, including the Episcopal church, Methodist church, Presbyterian church and other Lutheran denominations including the Missouri Synod.
The ELCA has supported well trained and vetted pastors for the well-being and safety of our congregations. Thus, our candidacy process includes interviews, letters of recommendation, educational transcripts, background checks, and a psychological evaluation. (These are required of candidates going through seminary or transferring to us from other denominations.)
Similar to other professions, like doctors, teachers, lawyers, social workers and others, there is a standard educational path as well as practical hands-on learning that is similar to residency or student teaching.
The ELCA constitution lays out 2 educational paths for preparation for rostered leaders (Pastors or Deacons). One of those options is a Master’s of Divinity from an accredited seminary and a second is the TEEM certificate from a seminary. Pastors are also expected to have a years supervised internship and complete one unit (generally about 3 months) of Clinical Pastoral Education which included practical experience and a reflection group with a certified leader.
Through the synod, there are 3 milestones where a candidate for ministry meets with our synod candidacy committee to focus on formation, readiness for ministry, discernment of the candidates’ sense of call and ministry gifts. These occur with our candidacy committee made up of pastors, deacons, and lay leaders.
The ELCA does allow for the transfer of clergy from some denominations, generally our full communion partners. This has to be approved by the Office of the Secretary of the ELCA. Typically, we allow clergy transfers from denominations that prepare their pastors educationally in ways similar to how we prepare pastors. We would like our pastors to be comfortable in the theology and tradition of our denomination, so it reflects the life and belief of our congregations. Most pastors who are looking to transfer denominations have done reading or research into the new religious community and belief system that they would be serving in and find a theological home in the ELCA.
If you have questions about the candidacy process or are interested in preparing for ministry as a pastor or deacon, please contact me, Pastor Heather Culuris at the SW MN synod office.