The ELCA Candidacy Process is designed to move in steps and stages as the candidate and committee discern together the call to ministry that is growing in the candidate's life.  It is a journey that both take together in order to see where God might be leading.  The committee offers support, guidance, mirroring and encouragement to the candidate and has the responsibility for assessing the candidate's skills, faith and readiness for ministry within the ELCA.

Watch a slideshow about the ELCA Candidacy Process.

The ELCA recognizes four rosters of dedicated and professional service:

• Associates in Ministry: College graduates with some course work in theology and an area of specialization
• Deaconness: Members of the Deaconness Community who have an academic degree appropriate to their profession.
• Diaconal Ministers: Two years of seminary study and a calling to serve at the intersection of church and world.
• Ordained Ministers: Four years of seminary study and a calling to provide Word and Sacrament ministry.

• Discerning a Call
• General Information about Candidacy
• Application and other Forms used in Candidacy
• The Candidacy Manual (PDF)

Member TBA

To inquire about beginning the candidacy process, contact Pastor Stan Meyer, Bishop Assistant ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; 214.637.6865).  

• You may wish to begin with just some informal conversation about the journey you find yourself on.
• If you choose to move forward, you will be directed to complete a candidacy application; there is an application fee of $100.
• The application process continues with an intitial interview, an autobiographical essay, criminal and personal background checks, registration by your home congregation, career and psychological assessment, and other informational items.

God grant you vision and clear discernment !