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 God’s boundless love with the world.
So how do you know if you should become a leader in the ELCA?
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?
The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.
- Frederick Buechner
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. The ELCA provides this opportunity.
We all have gifts. What are yours?
Maybe you share these gifts — they are especially important for church leaders to use in their daily ministry:
- A love for Jesus Christ
- Grace-filled living
- Integrity
- A passion for justice
- Compassion for God's people
- Self- awareness
- Leadership skills
- The ability to learn and share the faith
- A capacity for critical reflection
If you think you have a calling to become a leader of the ELCA, give your call a voice. Talk to your pastor, youth director, music minister, or another church leader about your call. If God is calling for you to become a rostered leader, learn about candidacy, then contact your synod office to begin the process!