Transition into Ministry Project

What is the Transition into Ministry Project?

Overview
In 2001, the ELCA Vocation and Education unit (formerly called Division for Ministry) was awarded a five-year, $750,000 grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. to enhance lifelong learning and leadership education for First Call leaders. The ELCA project also had a special focus on young, first-career rostered lay and ordained leaders in the church.

The Transition into Ministry project was intended to extend the FCTE program that the church implemented fully in 1997. Over the five years of this project, the existing FCTE program was enhanced through the development of several research and resource endeavors.

We believe that supporting younger leaders in public ministry will result in attracting other young people to the church. They bring new life, new ideas and new energy.

- Dr. Constance Seraphine, project director

Outcomes

TiM Complete Project Description (see below)
Sustaining First Calls (2006), a best practices handbook for synods and seminaries
“Money Leadership” (2010) is an online course offered by SELECT Multimedia Resources, April 9 – May 21, 2010. This interactive study was developed to help pastors and other congregational leaders increase their confidence and, perhaps, change their behaviors. The course includes readings, DVD presentations, written activities, and online interaction with fellow participants and the course facilitator.
Analysis of First Call Leader Surveys (2004)
Executive Summary of First Call Research Surveys (2004)
Biennial First Call Summits (2008) that gathered FCTE synod and regional planners for support and learning

Project Description
In 2001, Lilly Endowment, Inc., Indianapolis, awarded a $750,000 Transition into Ministry grant to the Division for Ministry (now called ELCA Vocation & Education unit) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to enhance lifelong theological and leadership education for first call leaders. The ELCA project also had a special focus on young rostered lay and ordained leaders in the church.

Transition into Ministry (TiM) was intended to extend the ELCA’s First Call Theological Education (FCTE) program that the church implemented fully in 1997. FCTE is a three-year structured program of theological continuing education to assist leaders during the transition from seminary to their first place of public ministry. This transition period is commonly known as a “first call” in the ELCA.

In 2005 the ELCA reached a 10-year milestone with its commitment to First Call Theological Education, a three-year structured program of theological and practical education designed to assist newly called leaders in their transition into public ministry. Nearly all of the ELCA's 65 synods have FCTE programs. For a summary of a recent FCTE progress report from synods, see 2007-2008 FCTE Synod Report.

Over the five years of the TiM project, the existing FCTE program was enhanced through the development of:

research data on the expectations and experiences of first call leaders
— Research with First Call Leaders
— Executive Summary of FCTE Survey
an online course on “Money Leadership” (now available through SELECT Multimedia Resources online program)
opportunities for dialogue and learning between clergy generations
biennial First Call Summits that gathered FCTE synod and regional planners for support and learning
Sustaining First Calls (2006), a best practices handbook for synods and seminaries

While the project related to all first call clergy and lay rostered leaders, it paid special attention to those leaders who are under 35, many in their first career. Focusing on younger leaders is important for the future of the ELCA as a whole, said Dr. Constance Seraphine, project director. “There is a definite concern for sustaining the office of ministry and attracting creative people to ordained or to other public ministries,” Seraphine said. “We believe that supporting younger leaders in public ministry will also result in attracting other young people to the church. They bring new life, new ideas and new energy.”