Associate in Ministry
by Phyllis Castens Wiederhoeft
I am an associate in ministry and currently serve as an assistant to the Bishop in the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin. I have served in this position since August 1988.

Deaconess
by Carol Burk
My letter of call says that I am director of learning ministry at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Columbia, South Carolina. Quite simply, I am a Christian educator. I am responsible for all of the educational activities in the congregation.

Diaconal Minister
by Phillip R. Deming
There is a soft, quiet, but resolute click in the sound of a steel door closing firmly in the locked unit of a psychiatric facility. The sound of a door shutting. Metallic echoes of the rejection felt by many struggling with mental illness who have been shut out from the faith practices of their youth. Individuals who are forgotten when shifts change, and those with the keys of access go home.

Equipping and Encouraging Laity
by Nelvin L. Vos and Melvin D. George
Congregations are finding ways to support the laity in their callings. Here are 23 ideas.

Past, Present, and Future
by James Mahler
This is my 15th and final Facets column written for Lutheran Partners. My retirement and new role as Professor Emeritus at California Lutheran University will occasion a change in authorship for this column directed to rostered lay ministers whose calling is to teach and lead ELCA early-childhood and elementary-school programs. My new role as one of the twin tenders for twin granddaughters whose parents are Minnesota pastors is renewing another whole set of skills.

Who We Are
by Carol L. Schickel
Significant ministries are being carried out on behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through the service of almost 900 active leaders who are called to serve as associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers (there are approximately 300 retired workers).