21st Century congregations require missional and visionary leadership at all levels of the church. Vocations and Leadership encompasses a portfolio of ministries with the common theme of identifying, forming and equipping the church's professional leaders, lay and clergy.
- Candidacy for ordained, consecrated and commissioned ministry
- Mobility for rostered church professionals
- The Bishop's Convocation and other leadership development activities
- Interim Ministry
- Committee of Deans
Candidacy
The candidacy committee and staff, along with partners across the church, identify, nurture and encourage the next generation of our church's professional leaders in order to provide theological, missional leaders for 21st Century congregations.
The candidacy process lifts up, prepares, certifies and places public leaders in the ELCA. Public ministries include commissioned Associates in Ministry, consecrated Deaconesses and Diaconal Ministers, and ordained Pastors. The candidacy process is a partnership between the churchwide organization, synods and bishops, seminaries, congregations, and candidates, their families and friends. The process is administred by a Candidacy Committee in each synod.
To consider your vocation, education and calling, or to learn more about the process, contact: The Rev. Dr. Larry Hand at 610.278.7344 or via
Mobility
Mobility is part of the call process, the unique and prayerful process by which the synods of the ELCA engage their congregations, church-related organizations and rostered leaders in a time of thoughtful assessment and spiritual discernment of the way God may be calling them toward mutual ministry for the sake of the ELCA's mission.
Mobility is the process by which rostered leaders are considered for new places and types of service and discern their call to new opportunities. Learn more about the process at the ELCA website, or visit People and Places for information specific to mobility for each of the rosters.
Leadership development
We provide continuing education and professional advancement opportunities for both rostered and lay leaders, including our innovative Faith & Leadership Academy and Diakonia programs to empower missional lay leaders. Recent Bishop's Convocation speakers have included Kelly Fryer, Leonard Sweet, Jerome Ringo and Mike Foss.
Upcoming Related Events
Related News
Join Bishop Burkat for annual Chrism service
On Tuesday of Holy Week, it is our tradition to gather for a service of Word and Sacrament, for blessing of oil, and renewal of ministry vows. The Chrism Service is a time for pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers to revisit and renew promises made at ordination/commissioning/consecration, and blessings for congregational deacons to honor their local ministries. It’s also a time to worship our Lord and be strengthened and renewed as we prepare to lead the faithful to the Cross and Resurrection. This year we will gather at St. Paul’s, Olney, on March 30, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
Rostered leaders' reports due Feb. 28
Rostered leaders are requested to file their annual Confidential Reports to the Bishop by Feb. 28. The reports are now available online for download from the ELCA website. Read on for full details.
Explore mutual ministry possibilities
Explore the possibilities of mutual ministry for tending the relationship of pastor and people and broadening your congregation's vision for ministry at two Mutual Ministry Seminars led by Pastor Dick Brusehoff of the ELCA Vocation and Education Unit on March 20 and 21, 2010.
Convocation focuses on ‘financial sanity’
“If you don’t have a values based way to think, talk and do money, you will default to the culture’s: See money, spend money,” Share Save Spend founder Nathan Dungan told the 2009 SEPA Bishop’s Convocation on Wednesday. Dungan is one of three keynote speakers at this year’s convocation, which focuses on “The Last Conversion: Head, Heart and Wallet.” The title is drawn from Martin Luther’s observation that “there are three conversions a person needs to experience: The conversion of the head; the conversion of the heart; and the conversion of the pocketbook.”
Are you ready for God's emerging future?
On December 10, 2009 a dynamic team of trainers from A Renewal Enterprise, Inc. will be leading a one-day workshop at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia that will help prepare you for God’s emerging future. This jam-packed, interactive workshop is especially for pastors and professional leaders, congregational and judicatory leaders, and leaders of faith-based organizations.
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Synod News
Welcome Church remembers winter's victims
You're invited to join The Welcome Church, an outreach to persons experiencing homelessness in Center City, for a service of remembrance and thanksgiving for those who lost their lives living on the streets during this brutal winter. The service is Tuesday, March 16 at noon at The Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion at 2110 Chestnut Street. If you are not able to attend, please keep the community and persons experiencing homelessness in prayer at that hour.
Lutherans gather at Capitol April 14
Join Lutherans from across the commonwealth to raise a voice for justice in Harrisburg on Wednesday, April 14. Lutheran Day at the Capitol, sponsored by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa), is a day full of speakers, workshops, and networking that will equip you for a face-to-face visit with your legislators or their staff. Join lay leaders, pastors, social ministry organization leaders, students, and bishops as we work together on behalf of Pennsylvania's most vulnerable citizens. Read on to register and download resources.