The NALC • Certification and Colloquy Process

Certification and Colloquy Process

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Certification and Colloquy Process 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certification and Colloquy Process

Updated: March 29, 2012

Certification Process

This process is for ordained pastors and commissioned lay leaders who would like to be certified as leaders in the NALC. The process for pastors in various situations is listed below and the process for commissioned lay leaders is at the bottom of the page. In each situation, the minister shall first contact the General Secretary (614-777-5709; generalsecretary@thenalc.org ).

When applicants have met the requirements listed below, the General Secretary will make a recommendation to the NALC Executive Council regarding the minister’s status in the NALC. The Executive Council will act upon the recommendation, and the General Secretary will notify the pastor of the Executive Council’s action. If the action is favorable, the pastor may inform the appropriate adjudicatory official in the former denomination.

Pastor under Call to a Congregation That Is Affiliating With the NALC

A pastor serving a congregation that is joining the North American Lutheran Church (see the Affiliation process for congregations) who wants to come into the NALC with the congregation shall:

1. Submit a copy of the letter of call from the congregation.
2. Request a letter of reference from the president/vice president of the congregation where the pastor presently serves; this letter will address the pastor’s gifts for ministry and other comments as may be appropriate.
3. With the assistance of the General Secretary, submit a copy of a criminal background check, typically using the contract developed by the NALC.
4. Be interviewed face-to-face or by other means by the General Secretary or his representative. The General Secretary may appoint a panel of three persons to conduct the interview. The interview will include such matters as the pastor’s experience and reflection on ministry, agreement with the constitution and confession of faith of the NALC, support for the goals and intentions of the NALC, whether the pastor has been charged with sexual or financial misconduct and other matters as may be appropriate.

Lutheran Pastor in Retirement

A retired Lutheran pastor who wishes to be listed within the ministry of the NALC shall:

1. Submit a copy of the ordination certificate or some other document that will attest that the pastor is an ordained minister within the Lutheran Church.
2. Submit a letter of reference from someone who knows the pastor’s ministry; this letter will address the pastor’s gifts for ministry and other comments as may be appropriate.
3. With the assistance of the General Secretary, request a criminal background and credit check, typically using the contract developed by the NALC.
4.  Be interviewed face-to-face or by other means by the General Secretary or his representative. The General Secretary may appoint a panel of three persons to conduct the interview. The interview will include such matters as the pastor’s experience and reflection on ministry, agreement with the constitution and confession of faith of the NALC, support for the goals and intentions of the NALC, whether the pastor has been charged with sexual or financial misconduct and other matters as may be appropriate.
5.  Become a member of an NALC congregation. In certain cases the pastor may be a congregational member of another Lutheran church whose confession of faith and practice are deemed to be compatible with that of the NALC, as determined by the Executive Council.

Pastor on Leave from Call or
Previously Serving in another Lutheran Church

A pastor in this status, who wishes to serve within the ministry of the NALC, shall:

1. Submit a copy of the ordination certificate or some other document that will attest that the pastor is an ordained minister within the Lutheran Church.
2. Submit a letter of reference from a person of the pastor’s choice; this letter will address the pastor’s gifts for ministry and other comments as may be appropriate.
3. With the assistance of the General Secretary, request a criminal background and credit check, typically using the contract developed by the NALC.
4. Be interviewed face-to-face or by other means by the General Secretary or his representative. The General Secretary may appoint a panel of three persons to conduct the interview. The interview will include such matters as the pastor’s experience and reflection on ministry, agreement with the constitution and confession of faith of the NALC, support for the goals and intentions of the NALC, and other matters as may be appropriate. The interview will explore whether and under what circumstances the pastor may be available for call within the NALC.
5. Become a member of an NALC congregation. In certain cases the pastor may be a congregational member of another Lutheran church whose confession of faith and practice are deemed to be compatible with that of the NALC, as determined by the Executive Council.

Colloquy Process for a Pastor under Call
in another Lutheran or Non-Lutheran Church

A pastor in this status, who wishes to serve within the ministry of the NALC, shall:

1. Submit a copy of the letter of call from the congregation.
2. Request a letter of reference from the president/vice president of the congregation where the pastor presently serves; this letter will address the pastor’s gifts for ministry and other comments as may be appropriate.
3. Request a letter from his or her current denomination signed by an appropriate adjudicatory official certifying that he or she is an ordained pastor in good standing in that denomination.
4. With the assistance of the General Secretary, request a criminal background and credit check, typically using the contract developed by the NALC.
5. Be interviewed face-to-face or by other means by the General Secretary or his representative. The General Secretary may appoint a panel of three persons to conduct the interview. The interview will include such matters as the pastor’s experience and reflection on ministry, agreement with the constitution and confession of faith of the NALC, support for the goals and intentions of the NALC, whether the pastor has been charged with sexual or financial misconduct and other matters as may be appropriate.
6. Depending on the situation, become a member of an NALC congregation. In certain cases the pastor may be a congregational member of another Lutheran church whose confession of faith and practice are deemed to be compatible with that of the NALC, as determined by the Executive Council.

Pastor Under Call to Special Ministry

A pastor in this status, who wishes to serve within the ministry of the NALC, shall:

1.  Submit a copy of the current letter of call.
2. Request a letter of reference from the supervisor of the pastor’s current ministry. This letter will address the pastor’s gifts for ministry and other comments as may be appropriate.
3. With the assistance of the General Secretary, request a criminal background and credit check, typically using the contract developed by the NALC.
4. Be interviewed face to face or by other means by the General Secretary or his representative. The General Secretary may appoint a panel of three persons to conduct the interview. The interview will include such matters as the pastor’s experience and reflection on ministry, agreement with the constitution and confession of faith of the NALC, support for the goals and intentions of the NALC, whether the pastor has been charged with sexual or financial misconduct and other matters as may be appropriate.
5. Become a member of an NALC congregation. In certain cases the pastor may be a congregational member of another Lutheran church whose confession of faith and practice are deemed to be compatible with the NALC, as determined by the Executive Council.

Lay Ministers,
Associate in Ministry, Diaconal Minister, Deaconess, Other Lay Vocation

A person in a lay vocation, who wishes to be certified within the ministry of the North American Lutheran Church, shall contact the General Secretary for certification. The process is similar to the process for certifying an ordained minister, although the steps may be modified depending on circumstances.