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Have you
Heard God's Call to Ministry?
The place God calls
you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep
hunger meet — Frederick Buechner
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 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(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
- 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.
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Gifts for
Ministry
All of God's people have gifts for ministry — the work of the
faithful. The question to consider is "Which gifts do I have, and
how will I use them?" The following gifts seem to be especially
important for our rostered leaders: |
- A love for Jesus Christ
- Grace-filled living
- Integrity
- A passion for justice
- Compassion for God's people
- Self- awareness
- Leadership gifts
- The ability to learn and share
the faith
- A capacity for critical
reflection
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Invitation to
Service
Candidacy in the ELCA
P21KB
Discernment Helps
Are You Being Called?
Leaders for
Mission
More
Qualities of Rostered Leaders
Spiritual Gifts
Inventory
Discern your
gifts with this tool
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