Completing Candidacy

The ELCA candidacy process serves as a path toward public confirmation of your personal call to rostered ministry. Completing the final steps of candidacy is critical to your participation in a churchwide assignment process. Your synod candidacy committee meets with you during the final months of academic preparation to affirm your readiness to serve. The Approval Essay that you write for the interview provides written material (in addition to CPE and Internship Evaluations and a seminary faculty recommendation) for the assessment of theological competence, faith commitment, leadership abilities, and personal integrity.

Candidates are asked to indicate their commitment to meeting the vision and expectations of the ELCA for rostered leaders. Candidates participate in the churchwide assignment process as part of preparation for call. The basic standards of this church must be met prior to accepting a letter of call from a congregation or another calling body of the ELCA. The timing of these processes is best planned well in advance. Assuring that qualified leaders serve on the rosters of the ELCA is essential for the people and congregations.