2004 Synod Assembly
Additional Synod Report: Committee
on Candidacy
Dr. Noel R. Peterson, Chair
Candidacy is the ELCA's
churchwide process of preparation and formation that leads to approval for
the various public ministries of our church – commissioned associate in
ministry; consecrated deaconess or diaconal minister; or ordained pastor.
The Southeastern Minnesota Synod Candidacy Committee acts on behalf of the
ELCA in this process. It is responsible for determining the readiness of
people to begin theological education; for endorsing candidates for a
specific roster in the church; and through the approval process, for
determining an individual's qualifications and readiness to serve in
rostered ministry. The committee is charged to provide support, counsel and
encouragement through the candidacy process in a faithful ministry of
identifying, evaluating and approving these candidates for ministry. With
this in mind, the committee understands its responsibilities to include: 1)
identifying potential leaders, discerning gifts for ministry, and assessing
qualifications; 2) being fair to an applicant or candidate and protecting
his or her future ministry; and 3) protecting the church and acting on its
behalf.
Over the course of the past
year, the committee conducted 11 entrance, 7 endorsement and 7 approval
interviews. In November, the Seminary Student Retreat was held at Assisi
Heights in Rochester. In addition to opportunities to worship with our
seminarians, we shared concerns about seminary life, endorsement and
approval interviews, internship and calls.
The committee is blessed with
outstanding members, dedicated to God's service through the ELCA and the
Southeastern Minnesota Synod. Members during 2003 were: Ms. Beth Carrier,
Winona; Rev. Clark Cary, member at large; Rev. Christine Finsand, Chatfield;
Rev. Ron Gilthvedt, Owatonna; Ms. Milly Halverson, Spring Grove; Rev.
Richard Jorgensen, Faribault; Ms. Patti Mathews, Fairmont; Ms. Miri Matson,
Rochester, Rev. Audree Catalano, synod staff; Rev. Craig Boehlke, Region 3;
and Dr. David Fredrickson, Luther Seminary. A special thank you once again
goes to Ms. Beth Gabriel and the rest of the synod staff, whose untiring
efforts make our work light.
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