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Want to Become a Minister? You already ARE
a Minister!
All baptized people of God are called to ministry in
this world. In the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA), we understand that we all share in the
"work" of God — that we have a special calling or
vocation. The voice of God speaks to us and through us.
If you are thinking of becoming a minister, remember —
you ARE a minister — just where you are!
Have you
Heard God's Call to Ministry?
Frederick Buechner wrote, "The place God calls you to is the
place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."
Are You Thinking about a
Call?
Could
becoming a pastor or diaconal minister be part of your future?
What about service as an associate in ministry?
Have you ever thought about making
a difference in the world?
Vocational choices in the ELCA are many — we have pastors, but we also have accountants,
chaplains, youth workers, musicians, evangelists, nurses, diaconal
ministers and deaconesses, office managers, counselors, caregivers,
and associates in ministry. The ELCA has many needs to fill as we
carry-out our mission to share the Gospel. We are committed to
shouting-out the Gospel and bringing a message of hope to those who
are hurting.
Do
you have a sense of wonder?
We need aware, caring, courageous people leading the church in
the 21st century. We need passionate, joy-filled, and
adventurous people who want to bring healing and hope to other
people in this broken world.
Are you a natural leader?
Are you looking for a vocation that uses your gifts of
creativity, that requires an appreciation of spirituality and
ritual, that will be a way for you to give voice to God’s call?
Are you interested in benefits such as quality worship, a chance to
teach, good colleagues, a caring community, variety, lifelong
learning on the job, incredible opportunity to care for others, and
a place to use your imagination?
Are you searching for meaning in
your life?
Many young people have become disillusioned with the culture of
work in our world. The church still looks for people to lead who
have a deep sense of compassion, who want to know that the work they
are doing is significant in the world. That is the church! Many in
our world are looking for meaning. The church gives substance to
that search, and you can be a vehicle of that Good News.
Characteristics of Church Leaders
(including pastors):
Encouraging, Listening, Praying, Equipping, Leading, Hoping,
Healing, Caring, Teaching, Preaching, Blessing, and Sustaining.
Give Voice to your Call
Talk to your pastor, youth director,
music minister, or another church leader about your own call as a
baptized child of God. The church is calling for pastors. If God is
nudging you forward, give your
synod
office a call.
Learn more
Ministry in Daily Life
Learn more about how other people of God live-out this
calling in their daily lives.
Exploring Your Call
A call is what gives meaning and purpose to our lives.
Each of us is called and blessed with gifts.
Rostered Ministry
The ELCA has public ministries that are needed for
witness and service in the world. Some people are called
by God and confirmed by the church to be set apart for
these particular forms of ministry.
Candidacy
The ELCA has a process that offers hospitality,
formation, and evaluation to those preparing for public
ministries.
ELCA Seminaries
Most candidates for public ministry pursue academic
preparation at one of the eight ELCA seminaries across
the United States. Many other people also attend
seminary to learn how to "think theologically."
Chaplains and
Counselors
Leaders in the ELCA serve in many settings as they offer
pastoral care in a world in need of healing.
Life, Jobs,
Careers:
Talking to Youth about the Lutheran
Understanding of Vocation
Vocation means “calling.” From a Lutheran viewpoint,
pastors or others who work for the church have a
vocation, but Christians who work outside the church do
too. Any job or career becomes a “Christian vocation” if
a Christian remembers to do a job as part of her or his
call from God to serve others. |
