ASSOCIATES IN MINISTRY
Associates in Ministry
(AIM) are called to provide leadership and support for the ministries of the
whole people of God. Associates in
Ministry serve on an officially recognized roster for lay ministry in the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Associates in Ministry work in partnership with laity, pastors, bishops,
diaconal ministers, and deaconesses to serve the mission and ministry needs of
this church as they carry out responsibilities in congregations, agencies, or institutions
of or related to the ELCA. Through this
service AIM provide care and nurture of the people of God, equipping them in
the Christian faith.
Associates in Ministry are
prepared for service through a course of study that includes theological education
and are guided by the synod Candidacy Committee according to the procedures
established by the Division for Ministry.
Once approved, AIM are eligible for a call and serve under a letter of
call issued by an expression of this church: congregation, synod council, or
ELCA Church Council. Having accepted the
first call, Associates in Ministry are commissioned and received onto the
roster of the ELCA through a Service of Commissioning. An approved and commissioned Associate in
Ministry has met all standards for service as established by the ELCA and
enters into a relationship of mutual accountability with the calling body and
the synodical and churchwide expressions of this church as set forth in the
Constitution, Bylaws and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA.
The Associate in
Ministry Process
An individual begins the
discernment process that explores their potential for rostered ministry and
readiness to begin the process of theological study and candidacy in the
ELCA. (Timeline: 6 months to 2 years)
¨
The individual
develops a relationship with a mentor who will work with them throughout the
process (pastor, teacher, etc.)
¨
The individual
contacts ELCA-South Central Synod of Wisconsin (SCSW) office at 608-270-0201 to
communicate intent to enter the candidacy process. Synod office will inform person of paper work
that needs to be submitted to office and testing that is required.
¨
The individual
will be contacted by the synod office after they receive admission paper work,
to set up an appointment with a Candidacy Committee member for a 1:1 interview
for entrance into the candidacy process.
¨
Person will be
invited to meet with the entire Candidacy Committee after they have completed
an Entrance Essay for the purpose of discussing that essay. A decision will be made at that time by the
committee whether or not to enter person into the candidacy process. If positive Entrance Decision, person
(now a candidate) will be assigned a contact person from the committee and
signs a contact person covenant.
Educational requirements
are pursued by way of Lay School of Ministry/ Seminary courses/SELECT
courses, etc. (2-4 years). Clinical
Pastoral Education (
Upon completion of all
requirements, candidate completes the Approval Essay and participates in
an Approval Interview conducted by the Candidacy Committee. A candidate is approved for call by the
Candidacy Committee upon successful completion of all requirements and
agreement with the Vision and Expectations of this church. Associate in Ministry candidates participate
in the Churchwide Assignment Consultation. When assigned, the service of commissioning
is arranged and conducted under the direction and oversight of the bishop of
the synod where the first call is received.
(Entire AIM process takes
a minimum of 3 years. Flexibility to
pursue this at a part time pace is permitted.)
Resources:
¨
“What Shall I
Say? Discerning God’s Call to Ministry”
(available through synod office)
¨
“Visions and
Expectations for Associates in Ministry” (booklet available through synod
office)
¨
Guidelines for
Participation in the Lay School of Ministry (handout)
¨
ELCA web site www.elca.org/candidacy (technical support @800-638-3522,
ext 5071)
¨
SELECT courses
at www.elca.org/select
¨
Synod
Candidacy Committee and contact person
*This requirement is
unique to the ELCA-SCSW
ELCA-SCSW
10/2005
SKL