Candidacy Steps

A brief outline of the Candidacy steps are listed below. For more details on these steps, review the Summary of Candidacy guide.

Prior to the Entrance Interview

It generally takes about six months to complete the necessary steps to stand for an entrance interview. It is the hope that during this time the candidate is continuing to discern their call to ministry and might be using the tools offered in Appendix A of the Candidacy Manual.

  • The process begins when the candidacy submits their Candidacy Application and Entrance Essay

  • After the application and essay are received the following items will need to be completed:

    • The Synod Office will work with the candidate to schedule and complete an initial interview; and ask the candidate’s congregation to complete a Congregational Registration Form and submit the $500 Congregational Fee.

    • The candidate will fill out and submit their personal financial worksheet and personal health assessment. In addition they will submit any transcripts, licenses, certificates of completion for continuing education and the $200 application fee.

  • When these items are satisfied, the Synod Office will work with the candidate to schedule and complete a psychologic evaluation and complete a background check

  • It should be noted that it takes the psychologist approximately two months to complete their evaluation and send it to the Synod Office. When it is received the candidate file will be complete.

  • The Synod Office will then contact the candidate to schedule an entrance interview at the next in-person Candidacy Committee meeting.

Prior to an Endorsement Interview

Following a candidate’s positive entrance decision a candidate plan will be created in coordination with the candidate, their relator and their academic advisor. The candidate plan will lay out an schedule for the completion of each component.

Additional items needed to stand for an endorsement interview:

  • The candidate would submit an Endorsement Essay and a current transcript from their seminary education

  • The candidate will have completed one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and submitted their final evaluations to the synod office.

Prior to an APPROVAL interview

A positive endorsement decision reflects the Candidacy Committee’s confidence in the candidate’s formation and growth. Following this decision, a candidate continues on their path of learning and growth, which includes an approved internship.

Additional items needed to stand for an approval interview:

  • The candidate would complete and submit an Approval Essay; their final internship evaluations (self, supervisor and committee); and an approval information form. Additionally, the candidate will submit a current academic transcript from their seminary education;

  • The seminary will complete and submit the ELCA seminary Faculty Recommendation (Form D).

Prior to ASSIGNMENT

Following a positive approval decision candidates move into the assignment process. Assignment to regions and synods occurs at churchwide assignment consultations arranged by the Domestic Mission unit.

Additional items needed for the assignment process:

  • The candidate will submit Form ABC and a Rostered Minister Profile (RMP) to the Domestic Mission unit by the published deadline.