NWIM Synod Lay Ministry Associate (LMA)
Lay Ministry Associate formation
(a partnership with the Montana Synod-ELCA)
The ABC’s of Lay Ministry
Are you wondering about a call to leading worship in your congregation? Helping with pastoral care? Many congregations are lifting up leaders and some leaders are supporting their congregations in worship, preaching, and pastoral care. With the various programs out there it’s time to untangle the “alphabet soup” of options.
**Watch the synod e-newsletter and website for future in-person lay leader retreats in Eastern Washington and Southern Idaho.
Possible Pathways and Programs
School for Lay Ministry Certificate (one year, online through Luther Seminary’s Faith+Lead)
Graduate Certificate Programs (two years, online through Luther Seminary)
Montana’s Lay Ministry Associate online courses are also available to our synod
Just to complicate things, Wartburg Seminary will soon be piloting its own certificate program for SAMs. Stay tuned.
If someone wants to increase their learning, nurture their own faith, and grow their ministry skill set, all these are wonderful options.
If someone is looking to be a Synod Authorized Minister*, the first steps are to be in conversation with their church council and your synod bishop. You will need to complete the Graduate Certificate Program in Christian Ministry OR Montana Synod’s Lay Ministry Associate program. I cannot authorize SAMs in congregations where we have called pastors or deacons.
About Synod Authorized Ministers (SAMs):
“When need exists to render Word and Sacrament ministry for a congregation or ministry of this church where it is not feasible to provide rostered ministers of Word and Sacrament, the synod bishop — acting with the consent of the congregation or ministry, in consultation with the Synod Council, and in accord with standards and qualifications developed by the appropriate churchwide unit, reviewed by the Conference of Bishops, and approved by the Church Council — may authorize a person who is a member of a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to offer this ministry” (ELCA Constitution, 7.31.10).
The ELCA Research and Evaluation Team produced this GREAT REPORT on SAMs in December of 2024.
Concluding Notes
What this article has not yet named is that many of our congregations with called pastors are also equipping lay people as preachers, providers of pastoral care, worship leaders, and more. THANK YOU!
Whatever the Body of Christ is becoming, we are going to need pastors, deacons, and lay people equipped to share the gospel. We will need equipped people in congregations served by pastors and deacons and in communities of faith where there is no pastor or deacon. The synod staff, synod council, and our cluster deans are getting more and more versed in the various pathways and programs, and we would encourage you to reach out and discuss the various paths to faithful service.
Other Offerings in the West for rostered and lay leaders:
Northwest Washington Synod’s LiVE Project (Living into Vocational Engagement)
Rocky Mountain Synod’s Excellence in Leadership
Lay Ministry Associates
LMA will help with pulpit supply, pastoral care, faith formation, or church leadership. What you do with this formation will depend on your gifts and passions and the needs of local ministry sites.
Costs to expect (for you and/or your congregation):
$250 to the NWIM Synod for background check and some overhead
$150 (average cost) of the in-person annual retreat. We expect LMA students to attend for two years.
$200 to the Montana Synod (through the LMA website) for the four foundational courses (Old Testament, New Testament, Lutheran Theology, Reformation). This can be done over two years (so $100 per year). Montana Synod has several additional courses ($20-$35) that we encourage you to take.
After you complete this two-year program, the NWIM Synod expects you to enroll in a Boundaries Training from Leaderwise, United Lutheran Seminary, or an in-person training offered by the synod.