Candidacy

Are you an LGBTQ person seeking to become a rostered leader in the Lutheran Church?

ELM is available to provide accompaniment, mentoring and coaching as you enter or return to the candidacy process. We have a grassroots network of people experienced with Lutheran candidacy and LGBTQ people who can provide guidance for you.

If you are seeking support or wish to learn more about this work, please contact Randy Nelson, Program Chair for Candidacy Accompaniment: e-mail: candidacy@elm.org

History of Extraordinary Candidacy

Extraordinary candidacy began in 1993 with the formation of the Extraordinary Candidacy Project. The goal of extraordinary candidacy was to provide a way to ministry for people who were qualified to serve as Lutheran rostered leaders, but who were barred from serving in Lutheran denominations because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.  Until 2009, the ELCA barred people in same-sex relationships from serving as rostered leaders.   All pastors were required to sign a statement that they would refrain from same-sex relationships. Dozens of people who would have been turned away from their call have been able to serve because of extraordinary candidacy and dozens of congregations were served by these leaders.  The Extraordinary Candidacy Project used procedures and policies nearly identical to the ELCA’s, and those credentialed for ministry attended Lutheran seminaries.  The Extraordinary Candidacy Project became part of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries in 2007.

Following the 2009 ELCA decision to allow people in same-sex relationships to serve as rostered leaders, ELM suspended its extraordinary candidacy program and turned our focus to providing accompaniment to LGBTQ people who are in candidacy in the Lutheran church.