Ministry Policies

Find out:

• Current ELCA ministry policies
• Why are changes being made?
• What actions did the assembly take?
• What changes are proposed?
• How to comment on drafts

Current Ministry Policies

The ELCA has four rosters for public ministry -- pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses and diaconal ministers. The policies that guide preparation for public ministry are collected in the following official documents:

• Vision and Expectations (for pastors)
  This document is a statement of expectations and hopes and an invitation for reflection and consideration of those who seek to serve in the ordained ministry of Word and Sacrament.

• Vision and Expectations (for associates in ministry, deaconesses, diaconal ministers)
  This document is for those called to serve in an ELCA rostered ministry of Word and Service and it serves as an invitation for reflection and consideration by those who seek to enter such service.

• Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline
  This document describes the grounds for which rostered ministers may be subject to discipline according to the practice of this church.

• Candidacy Manual
  This manual contains the policies and procedures that guide the process of discerning and preparing for calls to public ministry and the steps by which this church moves toward approval of candidates for call.

• Manual of Policies and Procedures for Management of the Rosters
  A selection of policy documents related to aspects of rostered ministry such as the ecclesiastical endorsement of chaplains, military chaplaincy, reinstatement to the rosters, interim ministry and retirement.

Process for Fulfilling the 2009 Mandate to Change Policy

The 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA took action to allow service in rostered ministry by people who are in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships. The assembly directed that necessary changes in policy be made and that any additional guidelines be developed. It further directed that within this church provision be made to respect diverse, faith-based commitments on this matter.

The amendment work follows a process mandated in the bylaws of this church, beginning with drafting by the appropriate churchwide units (Office of the Secretary and Vocation and Education) and by the Committee on Appeals, consultation with the Conference of Bishops, and consideration by the Church Council.

Both the drafting and the consultation processes have begun. It is expected that these processes will continue until the April 2010 meeting of the Church Council at the earliest.

2009 Churchwide Assembly Actions

• Adopted a new social statement, Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust
  
• Adopted four resolutions related to ministry policies

Working Drafts and Notes

The documents linked below are made available for information and for comment by members of this church:

• Draft Revisions to Reinstatement to the Rosters of the ELCA   [10/21/09]
  
• Draft Amendments to Vision and Expectations    [10/10/09]
  
• Candidacy and Call Process Notes for Revisions   [10/10/09]
  
  

Submit Comments

Comments may be sent to ministrypolicies@elca.org. Messages will be acknowledged and carefully considered by staff in the Vocation and Education unit and the Office of the Secretary, but will not receive an individual response.

This page can be found at http://www.elca.org/ministrypolicies