CANDIDACY COMMITTEE REPORT2019 Synod Assembly

Become a Leader We are a church that is blessed with and relies upon a broad, diverse, interdependent network of leaders throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the world. Faithful, courageous leadership matters in a church that is called to live and serve in a world full of complexities, tensions and ambiguities. We need leaders who will ground us in God’s love and forgiveness through word and sacrament, renew our congregations, grow our existing communities of faith and inspire us to do God’s work in the world.

Leaders in the church are equipped to live and serve in just about every setting and context — wherever God is at work — in congregations, ethnically and culturally diverse communities, organizations and institutions, schools, special ministries, military chaplaincies, hospitals and beyond. Wherever our leaders are serving, they are busy equipping and encouraging people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to live by the faith that comes from thegood news of Jesus Christ and sets us free to discover and boldly participate in what God is up to in the world.

Whether you are an existing leader in the ELCA or someone who is wondering what God is calling you to, we are here to help and support you. We can help you consider the many options for ministry and service, what education options will best prepare you, put you in touch with associations and networks of leaders, explore new directions in your ministry, seek scholarship assistance, find resources for your work, or become familiar with the processes of preparation and placement in the ELCA. Just remember, you are never alone in your work andjourney as a leader in this church.(https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Leadership)

Candidacy in the ELCA is a process of discernment which invites a partnership between candidates, their home congregations, the synod at large, seminary communities and churchwide representatives. Each synod works through a Candidacy Committee in order to provide leadership for the church.

Our Committee met several times this last year, including a retreat in Tulsa with our candidates. Our thanks to Stephen E Phelps, ELCA Regional Gift Planner, who lead our time together during the retreat. And our thanks to Rev. Dawn Donato for serving as our chaplain.

Once again, we are pleased to share: Our Synod has incredible candidates for rostering! As of this report, we have 12 candidates in process and other names of potential candidates. Those who have received a positive Entrance Decision, and are therefore in the candidacy process areas follows:

For Word and Sacrament: Linda Ewen, Kara Farrow, Tom Helmich, Susan Kleps, Kristin Lee, Paul Ozbun, Heather Pratt, Grant Ragsdale, Thomas Rhodes, Julie Wesley.

Bonnie Wells has been approved for rostering to Word and Service, she is awaiting call.

Your prayers are requested specifically for all our candidates, and all other individuals who are in process.

Please consider sending anyone of them (or each of them) a note of encouragement and grace. Ida in the Synod office can provide you with the addresses.

We continue to receive incredible notes from our seminarians thanking you for your generosity and support. Our synod sends approximately $2,000. per year in scholarship support to our candidates.The average seminary education exceeds $30,000. per year.

The committee strives to encourage hospitality, evaluation and formation for all those in the discernment process of Candidacy for rostered ministry in the ELA.

Candidate Update: We welcome two of our Candidates to the ELCA Roster: Nat Bothwell received a call to Word and Sacrament ministry at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Slater, Iowa. Pastor Bothwell was ordained December 1, 2018. Brian Henning received a call to Word and Service ministry at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, Edina, Minnesota. He will be Consecrated May 20, 2019.

With joy and thanksgiving:We are thankful for the partnership of Rev. Cherlyne Beck this pastyear, as our our ELCA Regional Representative. Rev. Beck has taken another appointment at theELCA churchwide office, we wish her God’s blessings. Therefore, we welcome back Rev. HerbPalmer as out churchwide representative

We also bid farewell to Jess Yandell, Cluster 3 representative, and Rev. Lynne O’Shea,Cluster 7 representative. Our thanks to these incredible church leaders!

Serving in this ministry in Arkansas/Oklahoma are:Rev. Jerry Lamb (Cluster 1) Jenny Geib (Cluster 2)Annette Kezbers (Cluster 2) Vernetta Wilson (Cluster 5)Rev. Karen Fowler-Lindemulder (Cluster 6) Larry Griffin (Cluster 8)Marlene Zenker (Cluster 8) Rev. Nate Frambach (Seminary

Representative)Rev. Herb Palmer (ELCA Regional Representative)Bishop Michael Girlinghouse Support Staff: Ida McAllister

Finally: Do you know someone in your congregation that God is calling to serve? There is continuing concern within the ELCA for the recruitment of qualified candidates to meet the anticipated need for ministry in the coming years. Congregations are urged to encourage interested and qualified senior high and college students to explore church careers. Please note that each Candidate for rostered ministry needs to be in contact with the committee for approximately one year before an Entrance Decision can be considered.

If you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact any of our committee members.

Respectfully Submitted,Rev. Karen Fowler-LindemulderCandidacy Committee Chair