Are You Called to Public Leadership in the Church?

As Lutheran Christians we believe that all the baptized are called to serve God in the church and the world. God blesses each of us with gifts and calls us to serve in a wonderful variety of ways.

Some of the baptized sense that God is calling them to a vocation of public leadership in the church. If you want to explore such a calling, or have sensed a nudging to explore the possibility, we are here to walk with you. First, please contact Peg Ihinger to schedule a conversation.

The ELCA candidacy process includes three basic steps: Entrance, Endorsement, and Approval. It is important to begin the Entrance process between 6 and 12 months before the date you hope to begin theological study. Additional information and online forms can be found on the ELCA website.

Many questions may arise in this process. Varying life situations require counsel and flexibility. Therefore, we are eager to talk with you as you begin this journey of discernment and vocational formation.

We also invite you to explore the ELCA resources on vocational discernment.

Starting the Process

Candidacy Timeline

Meet with your pastor to express interest in becoming a pastor or rostered leader. Clarify your intentions, ask questions, and determine how your congregation can offer support.

Call Peg Ihinger at the Minneapolis Area Synod to arrange a conversation about becoming a candidate: 612-230-3308. The conversation will take about an hour. You may also contact her via email at p.ihinger@mpls-synod.org with any other questions.

Applicants are encouraged to begin exploring the seven ELCA seminaries as early as possible. The admissions process occurs concurrent with Entrance process, and students must receive a positive Entrance decision prior to being fully admitted to an ELCA seminary. (Those interested in attending a different ATS accredited seminary, please contact Peg Ihinger.)

2025 Schedule

Student Materials Deadline Interview Date and Committee Meeting
July 7, 2025 August 7, 2025
September 2, 2025 October 2, 2025
November 4, 2025 December 4, 2025

2026 Schedule

Student Materials Deadline Interview Date and Committee Meeting
January 5, 2026 February 5, 2026
March 9, 2026 April 9, 2026
May 4, 2026 June 4, 2026
July 6, 2026 August 6, 2026
September 1, 2026 October 1, 2026
November 3, 2026 December 3, 2026

Entrance begins a journey of discernment to explore an individual’s potential for rostered ministry and readiness to start the process of theological study and candidacy in the ELCA.

Endorsement encourages and affirms those who clearly demonstrate gifts and qualities for a specific form of ministry in the ELCA, as well as identifies areas for growth and development.

Supervised internship facilitates the integration of academic study and theological education with the practice of ministry. This learning experience provides candidates with the opportunity to give attention to contextualization, reflection, integration, and evaluation. The internship year must be scheduled through an ELCA seminary in consultation with the Candidacy Committee.

Approval is a time in the journey when the candidate articulates the call to ministry and demonstrates readiness to assume a leadership role as a rostered minister in the ELCA.

First call is a churchwide process for approved candidates in which they are assigned to a synod based on ministry needs. They are then available for a Letter of Call for service in the ELCA.

Candidacy Committee Members:

  • Mr. Paul Mikelson, Chair

  • Bishop Jen Nagel

  • Deacon Krista Anderson, ELCA Region 3

  • Rev. John Hulden, Assistant to the Bishop

  • Deacon Terri Endres

  • Rev. Aaron Fuller

  • Mr. Clay Haapala

  • Ms. Mary Jech

  • Dr. Amy Marga, Luther Seminary Liaison

  • Ms. Linda Ojeda

  • Mr. Dwight Penas

  • Deacon Mark Sedio

  • Rev. Natalia Terfa

  • Mr. Paul Wogen

Reach Out

With questions or to learn more about candidacy in the Minneapolis Area Synod, connect with Peg Ihinger.

Peg Ihinger

Assistant to Candidacy