Discernment, Vocations, and Ways of Living Faith
This section provides resources for discerning ministerial vocations. It offers access to documents, links, dialogues, and short retreats that provide the necessary space for intentional and deep reflection on the calling we have received, the talents we possess, and the vocations we can explore.
Discerning Your Vocation
Discernment is not just another word for deciding.
God has already decided. God has chosen life for the world. God has chosen you, with your unique gifts and abilities, and given you the freedom to match them up with the needs you see around you.
Candidacy
Your candidacy journey begins when you contact your synod office (by using the widget on the right hand side to search for synod email). At the synod office, you will be directed to the person/s who can talk to you about your discernment journey and the candidacy process, what forms are necessary and how to complete them.
First Call Process
Completion of the first call process completes candidacy for all people, including those ordained in another Lutheran church or Christian tradition, moving them toward first call and admittance to the appropriate roster in the ELCA. Through prayerful discernment, candidates, synods, regions and the church work together to identify where the spirit is calling each candidate to begin interviewing for first calls.