From
Living Theology in the Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church In America
Volume 2, Number 1
Epiphany 1997
Ministerial Formation
Becoming Our Calling: On
Ministerial Formation
Mobility forms and congregational
profiles of the ELCA list over two dozen “leadership needs” or “ministry
interests,” in the hope that enduring and happy matches can be made when we
check the same boxes. But so often it
is the intangible and mysterious that matters, whether we are aware of it or
not. Lay people who complain about or praise ministerial functioning and job
performance may often be looking beneath the surface to the heart of their
leaders. And their leaders may be seeking out hints for better stewardship
programs or youth group activities when what they really need is to pay more
attention to their spirits.
In 1994 the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America, as part of its Study on Theological Education, organized a
Work Group on Pastoral Identity in the Division for Ministry to give special
attention to the dynamics of pastoral formation and identity. From surveys
conducted and theological and psychological literature reviewed, the group concluded
, “Pastoral identity has two aspects.
The first is the subjective but powerful realization that one is an
authentic pastor to a particular people at a particular time in their history. The second aspect is that realization of people in the congregation or ministry
setting that a certain called person is an authentic pastor to them.” We
believe this statement is applicable as well to the formation of our lay
professionals and in this issue we want to look at ministerial identity as both a sense of one’s confidence in God’s
grace and call to ministry, and a confirmation by the congregation of one’s
call to ministry in a certain context.
This issue begins with a description
by Constance Leean Seraphine of a new
program in the ELCA called First Call Theological Education, which attempts to
ensure that newly called pastors and rostered lay leaders are supported in
their ministerial formation. This is
followed by Robin Currie’s
reflections on her seminary education from the stance of a newly called pastor. A lay person (and homeopathic veterinarian),
Judith Rae Swanson, knows what it’s
like to find a pastor who authentically
represents God’s grace and compassion.
The remaining articles address the
question, “What are some of the disciplines that help nurture the character of
a minister of the Gospel?” F. Dean Lueking reflects on the importance of teamwork and
mentoring. Anne Lee, an Associate in Ministry, lifts up the value of forming
mutual ministry committees to support rostered leaders. Disciplines of health, and awareness of unhealthy work habits, are the focus of Jack Finney’s article. Using a well known article by Joseph Sittler
as a point of departure, John R.
Seraphine explores some broad dimensions of what it means to bear faithful
testimony to God’s word in ministry.
Constance Leean Seraphine
John R. Seraphine
Issue Editors