The process of candidacy is established by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The ELCA hopes to prepare leaders ready to serve the whole church who will use their individual gifts and talents to do God's work in Christ's name for the life of the world. The Office of the Bishop for the Grand Canyon Synod is your liaison for access to the opportunity for rostered leadership in this church. When you are ready to answer your call to official leadership in the church as a deacon or pastor, please follow the steps below:
Candidacy Initial Steps
Talk with your pastor about your interest. Include in that conversation whether your home congregation has the financial capacity to support your academic preparation through the seminary that you chose as you move into the formal academic preparation.
Familiarize yourself with the candidacy pages on the ELCA website, starting with elca.org/candidacy. View the ELCA’s Candidacy resource page, specifically reviewing the Called to Lead document (English/Spanish) and the Summary of Candidacy.
Contact Pr. Jacqui Pagel, Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy at jpagel@gcsynod.or or (480) 678-4406. Request an initial appointment to review your thoughts after using the discernment tools from the ELCA website. To help guide the conversation of what the candidacy process will look like for you, prepare for the meeting with a list of your questions, concerns, and hopes.
Receive a Mentor/Coach Pastor who will work with you for a period of 12 months during your year of discernment. The assignment of a Mentor/Coach Pastor is completed through the Office of the Bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod. The Mentor/Coach Pastor will not be your home congregation ordained clergy member.
Begin your application at elca.org/Resources/Candidacy.
Go to Community Login and create an account if necessary.
Go to the Leader Portal: community.elca.org/portal/leader-portal
Select “I'm interested in becoming an ELCA Rostered Minister -- Candidacy Process – Candidacy Application”. Complete form and be sure to hit submit.
While here be sure and view the Ministers of Word and Sacrament and Ministers of Word and Service Candidacy Process Checklist. You will find this information helpful.
Receive “Next Steps” email from the Associate to the Bishop when your Candidacy Application is complete. This information will enable you to complete the following requirements for the Candidacy pre-entrancing process:
You are welcome to contact the office after 48 hours of submission to be sure application received.
You will be invited to submit payment (see below) to obtain your Psychological Evaluation and Background check.
From the ELCA candidacy resource page, work with your home congregation pastor and staff to complete the required registration form: Congregation Congregational Registration for a Candidacy Applicant. Your congregation will have an opportunity to indicate the level of financial support they may be able to provide as you fulfill the education requirements for rostered leadership in the ELCA.
From the ELCA candidacy resource page, complete and email both the Personal Health Assessment and the Personal Financial Worksheet to the Associate to the Bishop.
Read Let's Talk About Debt, an article recently published by the ELCA. This may be of help to you during your discernment and planning process to assist you and your family in planning for the required costs of this graduate academic effort.
Candidacy Application Fee Including Psychological Evaluation: $1,400.00 Full Fee.
$1,200.00 total due from candidate at the time an application is submitted to the Grand Canyon Synod.
$200.00 Background Investigation (entire cost paid by the Grand Canyon Synod).
Begin the process of exploring our ELCA Seminaries and choose which you hope to affiliate with at elcaseminaries.org.
Attend mandatory interview with Candidacy Team in person or via zoom. Your interview with the Candidacy Team will be scheduled by the Associate to the Bishop.
Remember candidacy is an accompaniment process. The Office of the Bishop is here to help you navigate your three-point calling of self, community, and God to the position of Deacon or Pastor in the ELCA. Stay in touch with the Associate to the Bishop to navigate the seemingly intense and confusing process.
Be blessed. May God be with you as you begin and complete the various steps in this process. We welcome you to the Candidacy process for the ELCA!
Candidacy Committee
Currently serving on the Candidacy Committee are:
Chairwoman Mary Beth Baron – Gloria Dei, Paradise Valley
Paul Gryniewicz – Desert Cross, Tempe
Pr. Tricia Lowe - Emmanuel Lutheran, Prescott
Pr. Jeremy Nausin – Holy Spirit, Las Vegas
Pr. Tim Nybroten – Resurrection, Oro Valley
Pastor Jacqui Pagel
Nick Pegelow – Faith/La Fey, Phoenix
Deacon Connie Rose-Kamprath – Esperanza, Phoenix
Previously served:
Karen Austad – Lord of Life, Sun City
Mari Johnson – Desert Cross, Tempe
Pr. Terry Pletkovich (ret) – University Lutheran, Tempe
Pr. Chris Stoxen – Holy Trinity, Chandler
Candidacy news from our blog
Wondering About Seminary? Attend the PLTS Discernment Retreat! Join Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA, from November 8-10, 2024, for Signs Along the Way, a discernment weekend designed to help you reflect on your call. Engage with seminarians, faculty, and staff, explore degree options, and discern your future. Lodging and most meals are provided, with travel assistance available. Visit plts.edu/signs for more information.