Southeastern Synod E-News Weekly

Each month an article in our Southeastern Synod E-news will highlight some aspect of the work of the Candidacy Committee of this synod. Last month, a member of the committee, Dr. Anne Fottrell, a child psychologist and lay person from St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Franklin, TN wrote an article on the changing look of leadership in our context. Anne described briefly what a candidate looks like are and raised the question of how congregations and Lutheran institutions welcome and embrace people from all cultures and backgrounds. This month, the Rev. Julie Crosby, pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Norcross, GA and another member of the candidacy committee, writes about some of the work of the committee as we walk with our candidates through the beginning process of becoming rostered leaders. It is our pleasure to have you take a quick glimpse into the work of leadership development, especially through the eyes of the volunteers who assist with this important work - walking with members of your congregation who feel called by God to serve.

CANDIDACY COMMITTEE, CANDIDACY COMMITTEE,

What's THAT all about?

Just this last weekend, a bishop's assistant and a member of the Southeastern Synod Candidacy Committee were hard at work helping candidates in ministry to discern their calling. In a whirlwind trip of five days to Chicago and Iowa, the Rev. Dr. Beverly Wallace, and the Rev. Julie Crosby, of St. James Lutheran Church, Norcross, GA met with and gave support to three candidates for ordained ministry. All three are second year students at either Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago or Wartburg Seminary. Walk with us through part of their process and the work of members of the candidacy committee.

Once a person has been given a positive "entrance into ordained ministry" candidacy decision, that person begins studies toward a Master in Divinity degree. After one year of academic study and successful completion of the summer chaplaincy program, (Clinical Pastoral Education) the students are interviewed to verify academic progress and readiness for continuation of the candidacy process. An Endorsement essay prepared by the candidate and other documents are examined by the student's advisor and two members of the candidacy committee in this their second year. Areas for dialogue with the candidate are explored; then after prayer, the dialogue is on!

The intent of the interview is to see how the candidate has progressed in the technical areas of ministry as well as his/her course of studies, how the candidate views herself or himself in the pastoral role, and to look forward to the internship experience that spans the third year. After the dialogue, the student's faculty advisor, the candidacy committee members and the candidate name the gifts of the candidate and share the growing edges on which to work.

This weekend, the candidacy members met with three seminarians, two women and a man. Many anecdotes were shared, and support was offered for the candidates. It was an eye-opening experience for all to see how these candidates have learned to trust the Lord in the face of economic uncertainty, family and health issues and the intellectual stretching that happens at seminary.

The Candidacy Committee representatives faced rain, heavy traffic conditions, and also participated in other meetings, worship experiences, and family celebrations. We also saw beautiful countryside scenes in Illinois and Iowa, but the greatest gift was to see our candidates as they live out their faith, trusting completely in the Lord.