Candidacy Committee

Recently, members of the Northwestern Ohio Synod candidacy committee came together and meet with the other two Ohio synods – Northeastern and Southern – which then forms the Ohio Multi-Synod Candidacy Committee. Pictured right is Rev. Julianne Smith (NWOS) who serves as the secretary for the candidacy committee and Rev. Steve Kimm (NEOS) who serves as the chair of the candidacy committee. There are six people, both lay and clergy, from each synod. This group meets four times a year for 2-3 days and reviews the progress of people preparing for ordained ministry, Associate in Ministry, Diaconal ministry, and deaconess.

Depending on where a student is in their studies determines when they meet with the committee. Those preparing for rostered ministry will meet with the committee or panel three times during their education. Once before they even enter seminary, at the beginning of their second year of seminary and then in their last year for those preparing for ordained and for the other tracks – once a field experience and paper have been written.

Usually, only about three members of the candidacy committee meet with a student at a time. And if the student is in their second year, their faculty advisors is part of the panel. Before meeting with a student, materials in a candidates file are reviewed by the panel members. Materials will include: essays, psychological report, an interview, a congregational recommendation, report from a student’s congregation of study or ministry in context of which they are involved with for two years before going on internship, an internship report by the intern committee and intern supervisor, faculty report, and a Clinical Pastoral Education report from a supervisor and peers. All of these pieces are reviewed and read before meeting with the student. Questions are then prepared by the panel.

Questions usually center around one’s call to rostered ministry and their understanding of the particular roster they feel called to serve. How have they grown since we last meet with them? What surprises have their been in their courses of study? Who is Jesus? Is there a clear understanding of the Lutheran Confessions? What is Law and Gospel and how do they apply it to daily life?

Personal questions are also asked. If there is a spouse, do they feel comfortable with the call. Is there an openness to serving anywhere in the ELCA? Are there health issues? And yes at times, there are difficult questions to be asked to student as to whether their call is to rostered ministry.

All of this is done with a lot of prayer, pastoral care and wanting to have the best rostered leaders serving in our congregations. I have watched this group agonize over disappointing news for a candidate but also see the pride they have for candidates as they have grown not only in their faith but in their assuredness of their call to ministry. A common thought among members of the candidacy committee when meeting with candidates, “Can this person be my pastor?”

Congratulations to our Seniors who have been approved for Rostered ministry! Lisa Bernheisal from Zoar, Perrysburg; Doris Mars from Redeemer, Toledo; Larry Oberdorf from St. Mark, Toledo; and Chris Young from St. John, Bellevue. And Rev. Tom Smith who comes to us from the United Church of Christ has also been approved for the roster of the ELCA.

And thanks to the Northwestern Ohio Synod candidacy members: Connie Fuchs – Fremont, Bill Rock – Bowling Green, Angie Avers – Archbold, Rev. Julianne Smith – Upper Sandusky, Rev. Dan Beudoin – Edon, Rev. Tom Lyberg – Archbold.