wfn.org | ELCA Ministry Board to Discuss Seminarian Internships

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

October 23, 2002

ELCA MINISTRY BOARD TO DISCUSS SEMINARIAN INTERNSHIPS
02-249-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The board for the Division for Ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a set of
guidelines for internships by candidates for ordained ministry, and it
adopted a related proposal to discuss at some future meeting education
for ordained ministry, especially concerns related to internships.  The
board met here Oct. 12-13.
     In the ELCA candidates for ordained ministry are required to
complete an approved internship, normally in a congregation.  The
internship is usually for one full year, and it occurs in the third year
of the candidate's four-year seminary education program.
     "I am not convinced that the internship in the third year is
good," said Michael J. Root, associate in ministry, Columbus, Ohio.
Root, who is Edward C. Fendt professor of systematic theology, Trinity
Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, said, in his experience, the disadvantages
of an internship in the third year may outweigh the benefits.  Three
years of seminary education followed by an internship before ordination
may be better, he said.
     The Rev. Jonathan P. Strandjord, acting executive director, ELCA
Division for Ministry, said, while a review may be needed, a change in
internship procedures may be a concern for bishops because it may affect
the approval and placement process for seminarians.
     The board is expected to continue its discussion on the topic at
its meetings next year.  "This is the kind of thing boards should spend
their time on, asking what we're doing and examining how we're doing
it," said Kevin J. Boatright, board chair, Lawrence, Kan., in an
interview.  "It is legitimate to surface these questions about the role
of internships."
     The board also took action on several other matters:
     + It endorsed the recommendation of the Division for Ministry
staff to change policy regarding ELCA ministry candidates and
affiliation with an ELCA seminary. A candidate for ministry who attends
a non-ELCA seminary must affiliate with a seminary of the ELCA during
the candidate's first full term.  Candidates for diaconal ministry --
consecrated lay leaders in the church who carry out public ministry of
witness and service -- have been required since 1993 to affiliate with
the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa.  Under the plan
endorsed by the board, diaconal ministry candidates may affiliate with
one of three other seminaries in addition to the Gettysburg seminary:
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Wartburg Theological Seminary,
Dubuque, Iowa, or Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
     + The board affirmed a staff recommendation that present polices
for ordained ministry, which appear in "Vision and Expectations for
Candidates for Ordained Ministry," must be  upheld while the ELCA
Studies on Sexuality proceed. The ELCA Conference of Bishops previously
endorsed the same proposal.  Candidacy committees that oversee
candidates for ordained ministry have reported that some committee
members who disagree with the church's standards for ordained ministers,
especially those related to gay and lesbian people, have suggested the
standards can be changed now in light of the sexuality studies, said the
Rev. A. Craig Settlage, associate executive director, ELCA Division for
Ministry. Present ELCA policy expects ordained ministers who are
homosexual in their self-understanding to refrain from homosexual sexual
relationships. The studies and any recommendations that may result are
to be presented for consideration to the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
     "It was important to make a statement on behalf of the staff and
whole board that, while sexuality studies are taking place, 'Vision and
Expectations' remains the guide," Boatright said.
     +The board recognized and thanked the Rev. Carl E. Linder, editor
of "Lutheran Partners," who retired from active ministry this month.
Linder has been the only editor for the magazine, which began publishing
when the ELCA was formed in 1988.  Because of financial concerns, the
editor's position will remain unfilled for the remainder of fiscal year
2002.  William A. Decker, associate in ministry and managing editor for
the magazine, will fulfill the responsibilities of editor until a
permanent successor to Linder is named.
     + The Rev. Stanley N. Olson, who will become the division's
executive director Nov. 1, shared some preliminary thoughts about his
new role.  Olson said he sees himself as a "pastoral administrator."
The division staff members are "servant leaders," he said, adding that
it is the responsibility of the division to "offer leadership in the
church" on matters related to ordained ministry.   Olson said he has no
immediate plans for changing the structure of the Division for Ministry.
His early priority is to visit each of the eight ELCA seminaries twice,
he said.  The first visit will be to meet with administrators, faculty
and students, and a second visit will be to participate in a board
meeting at each seminary, Olson said.  Olson resigned effective Oct. 31
as bishop of the ELCA Southwestern Minnesota Synod to become executive
director of the division.
     + The board met briefly with Beth A. Lewis, who recently assumed
the role of president and chief executive officer of Augsburg Fortress,
the publishing house of the ELCA.  She said she has concentrated on
communication, accountability and asking for "grace" from customers as
she begins her work.  "We really want to energize Augsburg Fortress so
you're proud of us, and we want you to be a partner in ministry with
us," she said.
     + Board members engaged in the ELCA strategic planning process.
All boards and committees of the church are participating. The process
is expected to result in strategic directions for the church to be
determined in 2003.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html