ELM is pleased to announce that the 2026 Workin Scholarship for publicly-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Lutheran seminarians and first-year pastors is now accepting applications. This year, up to three grants of $5,000 each will be awarded to the chosen candidates.

Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries expands ministry opportunities for publicly identified LGBTQ rostered leaders who are changing the church and society through their ministry. ELM is the custodian of an endowment fund established in 1995 to honor the memory of Joel Raydon Workin. Joel was one of the three gay seminarians who were refused ordination in 1989 after “coming out” to their candidacy committees. This act of faithfulness was the spark that ignited our movement of resistance within the ELCA and part of what led to the August 2009 change in ELCA ministry policies.

Each year, Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries names a Joel R. Workin Memorial Scholar (learn more here.) This award comes with a financial scholarship to a LGBTQ seminarian who embodies Joel’s passion for justice and faith in his or her life and ministry. In addition, the Scholar will be invited throughout the year to be involved with various ELM activities.

This year marks the 31st anniversary of Joel’s passing from AIDS and the nineteenth year that a Joel R. Workin Memorial scholarship has been awarded. Previous recipients include Bishop Jen Rude, the Rev. Matthew James, the Rev. Julie Boleyn, the Rev. Laura Kuntz, the Rev. Emily Ewing, the Rev. Rebecca Seely, the Rev. Asher O’Callaghan, the Rev. Gretchen Colby Rode, the Rev. Amy Hanson, Justin Ferko, and Christopher Gilbert , Rev. Leon La Crosse, Jory Mickelson, Rachel San Diego, Max Del Bosque and Juan Manuel Arias Parea.

Eligibility – The eligible student must be a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer seminary (or divinity school student) or first-year pastor who has demonstrated gifts for ordained or rostered lay ministry and seeks to fulfill their vocation as a publicly identified LGBTQ Lutheran rostered leader. The student must be a member of Proclaim, the professional community of publicly-identified LGBTQ Lutheran pastors, seminary students and rostered lay leaders. Proclaim is a program of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries. 

The scholarship committee welcomes applications from current seminary students who have applied in prior years!

Application Materials – To be considered for the award, your completed application must be submitted to the scholarship committee no later than Friday, August 1, 2026

Please include:

1. Joel was a brilliant writer, and the essay is the most important part of your application. This year, we are requesting a 1-page response on your discernment process as well as a 3 – 5 essay in response this year’s topic. For the latter, you should be familiar with Joel’s published writings as presented in Dear God, I’m Gay, Thank You! and, in particular, his sermon entitled “New Beginnings.” Please feel free, however, to cite any of his works in your essay.
2. A copy of your current resume. Please include any Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries/Proclaim activities.
3. A professional recommendation from a professor, pastor or other rostered professional who can testify to your qualifications specific to this honor and award. (The recommendation letter must be on the official letterhead of the organization with which they are affiliated.)
4. A copy of your transcript from seminary or divinity school (unofficial transcripts will suffice).

The Joel R. Workin Memorial Scholar is awarded to those whose character and abilities are consistent with Joel’s legacy. Among these are: academic excellence, personal and professional integrity, courage in response to the church’s discriminatory policies, a passion for social justice, faithfulness to Jesus Christ and potential to become an effective leader in church and society. Please provide one letter of recommendation from someone (professor, pastor or other rostered professional) who can testify to your qualifications specific to this honor and award. The recommendation letter should be printed on official organizational letterhead.

Deadline – The deadline for submitting your resume, reflection paper and one letter of recommendation is 6:00 pm EDT on Friday, August 1, 20126. All application materials must be submitted electronically to mpnwrites@icloud.com. Please put “Joel R. Workin Scholarship Application” in the subject line.

Notification – The scholarship committee will notify applicants of its decision in mid-August.

On behalf of the Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries, Joel’s family and friends, and the members of Proclaim, we commend this opportunity to you and invite your application.

If you have questions, please send them to director@elm.org or to Workin Committee chair Michael Nelson at mpnwrites@icloud.com.

May your Easter season be filled with joy and peace.

WORKIN SCHOLARSHIP 2026 ESSAY QUESTIONS

Please review Joel Workin’s essays and sermons entitled Dear God, I’m Gay – Thank You! and then reflect on the following:

1. Tell us your story and where you are in your discernment in your sense of call. (1 page)
2. Please read Joel’s sermon entitled New Beginnings. Keeping in mind the texts on which he preached, where are the new beginnings to which the church is being called today? Where are the new beginnings that Queer Christians are being called to today? And where do you see the intersection of the two? (3 – 6 pages)

Please submit your essay response along with your resume, letter of reference, and transcript.