Qualities and Gifts for Public Ministry

What’s essential for rostered ministry?

Faithfulness
Biblical, Personal Depth, Committed to Church, Abiding in Jesus, Witnessing, Spiritually Disciplined, Genuine, Believer, Integrated, Living Jesus' Grace

Leadership
Giftedness, Spiritual, Creative, Empowering, Courageous, Equipping Others, Responsible, Visionary, Awareness of One's Style, Practiced, People Skills, Willingness, Servanthood, Humility, sense of Privilege in Serving, Selflessness

Love
For the Lord, For the Church, Churchpersonship, Devotion, Passionate for God and God's Kingdom, For the Gospel, Relationally Oriented to People and World, Collegiality, Compassion, Caring for People, Fresh and Passionate, A Pastor's Heart, Hospitality, Empathy, Vulnerability

Sense of Call
Flexibility, Understanding, Clear, Inner and Outer Senses of Call, Desire to Learn, As a Way of Life, Sense of Mission, Curiosity, Life-long Learner, Sense of Transformation, Sense of Re-formation, Teachability, Open to Change and Self-discovery, Listener

Integrity
Genuine, Authentic, Transparent, Self-differentiated, Self-aware, Character -can grow up, Honesty, Trustworthiness, Spiritually and Emotionally Healthy, Sense of Humor, Self-care, Mentally Healthy

Competence
Biblically Literate, Academic Ability, Biblical and Theological, Sense of Context, Vision, Balance of Law and Gospel, Both Therapeutic and Prophetic, Articulate Grace, Intelligent, Common Sense, Wisdom

Grounded
Spirituality, ELCA/Lutheran Identity, Balanced Life, Integrated Theology and Practice, Ability to Live in Dialectical Tension/Paradox/Ambiguity, Spiritual Depth, Graced and Know It

This list of essential qualities was compiled from characteristics identified in 11 candidacy consultations held throughout the ELCA with synod and seminary candidacy leaders.