"...to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" -- Ephesians 4:12
21st Century congregations require missional and visionary leadership at all levels of the church. Vocations and Leadership encompasses a portfolio of ministries with the common theme of identifying, forming and equipping the church's professional leaders, lay and clergy.
- Candidacy for ordained, consecrated and commissioned ministry
- Mobility for rostered church professionals
- The Bishop's Convocation and other leadership development activities
- Interim Ministry
- Committee of Deans
Candidacy
The candidacy committee and staff, along with partners across the church, identify, nurture and encourage the next generation of our church's professional leaders in order to provide theological, missional leaders for 21st Century congregations.
The candidacy process lifts up, prepares, certifies and places public leaders in the ELCA. Public ministries include commissioned Associates in Ministry, consecrated Deaconesses and Diaconal Ministers, and ordained Pastors. The candidacy process is a partnership between the churchwide organization, synods and bishops, seminaries, congregations, and candidates, their families and friends. The process is administred by a Candidacy Committee in each synod.
To consider your vocation, education and calling, or to learn more about the process, contact: The Rev. Dr. Larry Hand at 610.278.7344 or via
Mobility
Mobility is part of the call process, the unique and prayerful process by which the synods of the ELCA engage their congregations, church-related organizations and rostered leaders in a time of thoughtful assessment and spiritual discernment of the way God may be calling them toward mutual ministry for the sake of the ELCA's mission.
Mobility is the process by which rostered leaders are considered for new places and types of service and discern their call to new opportunities. Learn more about the process at the ELCA website, or visit People and Places for information specific to mobility for each of the rosters.
Leadership development
We provide continuing education and professional advancement opportunities for both rostered and lay leaders, including our innovative Faith & Leadership Academy and Diakonia programs to empower missional lay leaders. Recent Bishop's Convocation speakers have included Kelly Fryer, Leonard Sweet, Jerome Ringo and Mike Foss.
Vocations Staff
The Rev. Larry Hand
Assistant to the Bishop for Vocations and Leadership
Pastor Hand's responsibilities include mobility, the interim ministry network, candidacy for rostered leadership, and coordinating the committee of deans. He relates to the Chester, Lower Montgomery and Upper Montgomery conferences.
Contact: 267.323.3756 |
Bill Harp
Bill provides administrative support to the Asst. to the Bishop, Rev. Dr. Larry Hand and SEPA's Vocations and Leadership initiatives, including Candidacy, Mobility, Interim Ministry, Pulpit Supply and Leadership Development.Contact: 267.323.3744 |
Upcoming Related Events
Vocations and Leadership Links
- ELCA.org > Leadership
- ELCA.org > Become a Leader
- ELCA.org > Candidacy
- ELCA.org > Call process
- ELCA.org > Mobility
Related News
Convocation explores Christianity at the Crossroads
Do you feel the ground shifting beneath your feet? Denominational loyalty is disappearing, replaced by new ranks of the “spiritual but not religious.” People mix and match from various spiritual traditions. Christianity is truly at a crossroads. Explore the upheaval around us at the 2010 Bishop’s Convocation with Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence, and Stephen Bouman of the ELCA’s Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission unit, Monday, Nov. 15 to Wednesday, Nov. 17 at the DoubleTree Resort (Lancaster/Willow Valley). Reduced price registration through Oct. 1. For more information visit www.ministrylink.org/convocation.
Healthy Boundaries workshop for rostered leaders
Rostered leaders are invited to “Healthy Boundaries,” a workshop on misconduct prevention and SEPA Synod policy, on Wednesday, September 22, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Havertown. This free workshop is required for rostered leaders new to our Synod and those who have not yet attended the Synod’s prevention and policy workshop.
Join Bishop Burkat for annual Chrism service
On Tuesday of Holy Week, it is our tradition to gather for a service of Word and Sacrament, for blessing of oil, and renewal of ministry vows. The Chrism Service is a time for pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers to revisit and renew promises made at ordination/commissioning/consecration, and blessings for congregational deacons to honor their local ministries. It’s also a time to worship our Lord and be strengthened and renewed as we prepare to lead the faithful to the Cross and Resurrection. This year we will gather at St. Paul’s, Olney, on March 30, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
Rostered leaders' reports due Feb. 28
Rostered leaders are requested to file their annual Confidential Reports to the Bishop by Feb. 28. The reports are now available online for download from the ELCA website. Read on for full details.
Explore mutual ministry possibilities
Explore the possibilities of mutual ministry for tending the relationship of pastor and people and broadening your congregation's vision for ministry at two Mutual Ministry Seminars led by Pastor Dick Brusehoff of the ELCA Vocation and Education Unit on March 20 and 21, 2010.
View All Call Process Articles
View All Interim Ministry Articles
Synod News
Join the LDR ReadyChurch initiative
With the hurricane season in full swing and ongoing disaster responses in more than half of the U.S., there is no better time than now to think about how prepared (or not) we are for natural disasters. Disasters can happen at any time and place, often without warning, and it is vital for everyone to prepare ourselves for the possibility that a disaster could affect you.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Addresses Discernment, Repentance, Reconciliation
On a recent morning walk I reflected upon familiar words from Ecclesiastes, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NRSV). As I walked, I prayed and pondered about this time in the life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). It is my prayer that we use this time for discerning and engaging; for repenting and reconciling; for restraint but not timidity; and for rejoicing. A Time for Discerning and Engaging Throughout the ELCA I hear people asking, "Is my voice heard? Will my voice be respected as we seek together to discern God's purpose for us?" The answer is yes. Nevertheless, people of deep faith and a desire to be part of this church wonder: Do we mean it when we say we can preach, teach and hold divergent views on sexuality and be full participants in the ELCA's life and witness? Again, the answer is yes.