Synod-Authorized Ministry – Central/Southern Illinois Synod, ELCA

Here I am, send me!

In baptism, we are freed from sin and death by the cross of Christ and freed for love and service to our neighbors. We are called to many vocations from child to friend to volunteer to worker to citizen to many more. In our communities of disciples, pastors preach, preside and equip the saints for service within and without our communities of faith. Deacons preach and equip the saints for service in everyday lives.

Our synod developed the Synod-Authorized Ministry Program more than twenty years ago with the goal of strengthening discipleship through training that would enable non-rostered lay ministers to serve congregations in various capacities, supplementing available ministry by rostered leaders of the ELCA, and providing pastoral services when ordained pastoral leadership is not available or otherwise not practical. The Synod-Authorized Ministry Program offers a method to keep the Gospel of Jesus Christ alive in a congregation that may not otherwise be able to maintain a community with traditional Lutheran ministry.

Individuals are also encouraged to take this course of study as part of life-long learning, or to strengthen their ability to serve as lay leaders in their home congregations.

Some of our SAMs have been featured in Living Lutheran. Read about their experiences hearing the call and journeying with our communities of disciples.

As I worked through the SAM program, I realized that God had prepared me in very unique ways to offer my gifts to worshiping communities.

Marcia Buchs, SAM

I enjoy being able to study the lectionary texts and develop a sermon that hopefully is meaningful to the congregation. I enjoy leading worship and praising God. It matches my skill set and gifts.

Dave Griffith, SAM

I felt the Holy Spirit was guiding me here. I feel this is where the Holy Spirit wants me to be and I’m doing what God is calling me to do as a SAM.

Claire Vail, SAM