ELCA Candidacy

If you wish to pursue a rostered position in the ELCA, whether as an ordained pastor of Word and Sacrament ministry, an Associate in Ministry, a Deaconess, or as a Diaconal minister, you must first contact your synod office and begin the candidacy process. Candidacy involves the partnership of candidate, congregation, candidacy committee, seminary, and the Division for Ministry.

Only candidates approved by a candidacy committee are recognized and available for first call throughout the ELCA. The synods of the ELCA act on behalf of the whole church in the candidacy process. Candidacy committees are responsible for:
discerning the readiness of persons to enter the candidacy process and to begin theological education,
endorsing individuals as candidates, and
determining an individual’s qualifications to serve in rostered ministry.

Candidates must have a positive entrance decision by the candidacy committee before you can begin your theological studies.

Please contact your synod office to receive information and applications to begin the process of candidacy. The ELCA website at www.elca.org is an excellent resource for more information about the process.

You may also visit the Seminary's Field Education and Candidacy office.

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