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DESIRABLE QUALITIES FOR SAM
Desirable Qualities for 
Synodically Authorized Ministry Registrants
 
FAITH
A strong faith and commitment to Christ is essential for one seeking a greater role in the leadership of the Church. Some of the indicators would include an active devotional life, high level of activity as regards to regular participation at worship, a sense of baptismal vocation, the ability to ask pertinent and authentic questions, and a willingness to articulate one’s particular walk of faith. How much does the registrant know about the major themes of scripture, both Old and New Testament? How well does the registrant understand God’s grace in Christ as the core component of Lutheran tradition? What types of questions does the registrant bring to the faith? Exact correctness is perhaps less important than depth of faith and a willingness to grow in understanding. A final quality would be a love of and a commitment to the church in all of its expressions.
 
PERSONALITY
Desirable qualities here would include emotional stability, maturity, willingness to take the initiative, and the ability to relate well to others. Is this an individual with integrity, who says what is meant, and means what is said? Is this an individual who follows through once a project is initiated? Does this individual have an understanding of boundaries, knowing when to step in and when to back off? One who would serve in this capacity, in addition to regular employment would need to have a high level of energy and be attentive to maintaining personal and emotional health.
 
TALENTS AND ABILITIES
What God-given gifts would this individual bring to Synodically Authorized Ministry? Are the gifts a good match for the type of service that might be required from the registrant following completion of the requirements? Does the registrant have the potential capacity to articulate the faith in a public / congregational setting, if called upon to do so by the Bishop?
 
INTELLIGENCE AND SCHOLARSHIP
Registrants will need to complete the educational requirements of the Synodically Authorized Ministry Foundational Document. Has the registrant enjoyed life experiences related to regular and special education? Does the registrant like to read? What are the sorts of reading materials to which the registrant has been exposed?
 
RELATIONAL SKILLS
As Synodically Authorized Ministers might be called upon by the Bishop to assist the ministry of the wider church, there is a need for strong relational skills. Does the registrant exhibit a strong love for people and the skills to relate effectively to individuals and groups? Can this individual both listen and provide effective feedback? Is this person sensitive to the needs of others? Other qualities would be care and compassion, openness, a willingness to share, and a strong sense of humor.
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROSTERED LEADERS AND SAMs

Rostered leadership is comprised of Pastors, Associates in Ministry, Diaconal Ministers and members of The Deaconess Community.

Pastors…
are those who have been specifically trained by the Church, and who would typically hold a Master of Divinity degree from a seminary or divinity school. Following certification through the ELCA candidacy process, pastors are those specifically set apart for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.
 
Associates in Ministry…
are lay professionals who are called to provide leadership and support for the ministries of the whole people of God. They will have completed an approved course of study and have been certified through the candidacy process of the ELCA. Their primary Call is to assist in specific areas of congregational life.
 
Diaconal Ministers…
are lay professionals who have received special training by the Church and are called to the ministry of Word and service. Embodying lives of service, their function is to represent the Church to the world and the needs of the world to the church.
 
The Deaconess Community…
of the ELCA offers one final option for rostered leadership in the ELCA. Working in partnership with the ELCA candidacy process, the Deaconess Community is comprised of women who serve in community to complement the ministry of Word and Sacrament in the life of the Church. Their ministry is viewed within the context of the Gospel mandate, particularly as it relates to human need.  
 
The above categories all represent professional church vocations, designed to allow individuals to earn a sustainable income.
 
Synodically Authorized Ministry (SAM) …
differs from rostered ministry in a number of significant ways. According to the ELCA Constitution, synod bishops may authorize individuals to serve in congregational settings where it is not possible to provide appropriate pastoral leadership. Synodically Authorized Ministry (SAM) in the Central-Southern Illinois Synod is intended to be a program of preparation of individuals so that the bishop would have a cadre of trained individuals from which to draw, when such a need arises. It is not intended to be a full time sustainable vocation. Rather, it is intended for those individuals who understand their Baptismal calling to be to the priesthood of all believers in an arena other than a specific church vocation. It is not an alternate route to ministry in the life of the church, rather it is one avenue through which participants can affirm their Baptismal call to “let their light so shine before others.” What follows is a listing that would compare and contrast the role of the Synodically Authorized Minister with those who serve on the rosters of the Church.

ROSTERED LEADERS
►Called in Baptism to a life of service and understands this call to be specific in the nature of being a church vocation. Ordained Ministers understand themselves as being called to ministry of Word and Sacrament.
►The senior pastor or pastor of a congregation, working in connection with the local congregation council, is responsible for oversight regarding the appropriate execution of ministry in the local congregation.
►Prepares individuals for a sustainable vocation in the life of the church.
►Comprehensive process involving discernment, psychological and vocational inventories, entrance, endorsement, and approval panels.
►Graduate study required.
►When approved, is considered to be a candidate to all 65 synods of the ELCA.
►Ordained Ministers preside at the celebration of the Sacraments.
►Ordained Ministers may officiate at weddings and funerals.
►Are familiar with the document “Visions and Expectations” and agree to live in accordance with the values stated therein.
►Grows in faith and knowledge through continuing education.

SYNODICALLY AUTHORIZED MINISTERS
Called in Baptism to the Priesthood of All Believers. Christ is served through full time vocation other than the Church. Service to the church is part of the common mission shared by all believers. The sharing of a Synodically Authorized Minister’s gifts for ministry within the congregation of record are exercised in light of the congregation’s constitution and bylaws, and in consultation with the local pastor. Synodically Authorized Ministers are to uphold and affirm the office of pastor in the local congregation.
►Are strengthened in their baptismal call with some specialized training to serve on an as-needed basis.
►Oversight by SAM Subcommittee and staff liaison, with more informal approach.
►Less formal study as outlined in the Central/Southern Illinois Synod foundational document, no graduate study required.
►When approved, serves at the discretion of the bishop of the Central/Southern Illinois Synod.
►Preside at the Sacraments only with a special letter from the bishop, specifying the location and time period effective.
►May officiate at weddings only with a letter from the bishop stating the name of the couple, the date of the service, and the location of the service.
►May officiate at funerals when serving in a congregational setting.
►Are familiar with the document “Visions and Expectations” and agree to live in accordance with the values stated therein.
►Grows in faith and knowledge through continuing education.
COURSE WORK

 Course Work

These classes are generally held on Saturdays, spread out over three months.

Introduction to the Old Testament
Introduction to the New Testament
Pastoral Class

Church History I
Church History II
Preaching
 
Introduction to Theology
Lutheran Confessions
Worship
 
Retreat Settings
Spiritual Discernment
Education and Catechetics
Evangelism / Church Mission / Ecumenism
Leadership / Difficult Issues in the Parish
 
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