Candidacy and Leadership Manager for ELCA Regions 7 and 8

“Called to Lead”
2019 Report to Synod Assemblies

Paul Baglyos, ELCA Candidacy and Leadership Manager for Regions 7 & 8

“Called to Lead” is the title of a new discernment guide regarding ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Baptism includes a call from God to share the ministry of Jesus Christ in the world, and some baptized people discern a call from God to the particular ministries of pastors and deacons in the church. “Called to Lead” is intended to help people figure out whether God is calling them to become pastors or deacons.

Trying to figure that out involves paying attention to the suggestions, encouragements and nudges we might receive from the people around us. Has anyone ever suggested that you might become a pastor or a deacon? Has anyone ever encouraged you to consider that possibility? Has anyone ever nudged you to take some steps in that direction? Perhaps the suggestions, encouragements and nudges have occurred as internal stirrings, leading you to wonder about becoming a pastor or deacon or to imagine yourself serving in those particular ministry roles. In any case, “Called to Lead” can help you to decide whether and how to act upon those suggestions, encouragements and nudges.

“Called to Lead” can also help you to give other people the suggestions, encouragements and nudges they might need to figure out whether God is calling them to become pastors or deacons. Do you know anyone you believe would serve well as a pastor or a deacon? Do you know anyone you perceive to be well suited to those particular ministry roles? If so, “Called to Lead” is a resource you can recommend to that person.

“Called to Lead” is available on the ELCA website as a downloadable resource. Click “Resources” on the ELCA homepage, then click “Candidacy on the menu of photo icons. A Spanish translation of “Called to Lead” will soon be available as well.

I am pleased to recommend “Called to Lead” to your use in discernment, as I am pleased also to work with your synod’s candidacy leaders and candidacy committees in our churchwide work of guiding the people God has called to become pastors and deacons in the ELCA.