Dear rostered ministers and candidates for rostered ministry,

In the 12th chapter of St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, we read the encouragement to not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect. At some point each of you has entered a sacred time of discernment in response to the call God placed in your life. Through that discernment we have been shaped, formed and sent out to lead. In this spirit the ELCA is now entering a time of discernment to reshape the candidacy process for the future needs of our church.

The ELCA candidacy process was created at the time the church formed through the merger of the American Lutheran Church (ALC), Lutheran Church in America (LCA) and Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC) in 1988. Over the years it has been adapted to address the changing needs of the church, theological education, and formation for rostered ministers, yet the ELCA needs a more robust examination of how we form leaders for professional ministry.

In March 2022 the Candidacy Leadership Development Working Group (CLDWG) convened, gathering a richly diverse selection of leaders from across the ELCA. Members were chosen to represent the great variety of participants in the formation of rostered ministers. With only 12 people, it comprises ministers of both rosters, seminary leaders, bishops, Church Council members, nonrostered members, and candidacy specialists. It also represents a variety of demographics.

Recognizing that candidacy is a process of accompaniment and ongoing discernment that forms and prepares rostered ministers for public leadership, the CLDWG has defined its work to recommend a candidacy process that will form and support rostered ministers for public leadership in the current and future church.

We seek to address these three questions:

• What do pastors and deacons need to know, do, and be to serve in the current and future church?

• What formation experiences and learning will address what pastors and deacons need to know, do and be?

• What would an equitable and accessible process that values accompaniment and mutual accountability look like?

As we begin this work, we invite you to answer a few survey questions. Your input is important, so please take a moment to share your thoughts. The CLDWG has established a webpage where you will find information about the working group, an anticipated timeline of events, and ongoing updates.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in the gospel and the work you undertake in the name of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

Bishop Susan Candea, chair

Candidacy and Leadership Development Working Group Members:

Deacon Krista Anderson
Rev. Irma Bañales
Rev. Cherlyne Beck
Bishop Susan Candea, chair
Rev. Sara Cutter
Bishop Christopher deForest
Dr. Terri Elton
Rev. Dr. Guy Erwin
Rev. Tim Feiertag
Rev. Dr. Phil Hirsch
Mr. David Lenz
Rev. Jacqui Pagel

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