Endorsement

Endorsement – a second major point of discernment in the candidacy process – normally occurs after a candidate has completed a minimum of one third of the academic work required.  Ordinarily, endorsement is scheduled in the first semester of the second year in program. 

At endorsement a candidacy committee and its seminary partners affirm: a candidate’s continued discernment of a call to and gifts and skills for a specific rostered ministry, and mutual discernment among a candidacy committee, seminary faculty and a candidate of his or her readiness to complete candidacy successfully.

At endorsement a candidacy committee acts on behalf of the whole church in affirming a candidate’s call and gifts for rostered leadership.  Both the candidacy committee and seminary faculty express support and affirmation of a candidate’s continued progress in candidacy leading toward approval.

Scheduling an Endorsement Interview

1. Attend the Endorsement Preparation Workshop scheduled for early in Spring semester.  This personalizable timeline may be helpful in following the steps below:
2. At least six months prior to the timing of your interview, complete a Notification and return to Student Services.  Most students should schedule their endorsement interview in a fall semester.
3. Contact your synod candidacy representatives at least six months prior to the timing of the interview.  They will verify with you the Endorsement Essay questions.  They will also require you to sign an ELCA Consent to Release Student Information Form.  A completed and signed copy of this form must be sent to your synod candidacy committee and to Student Services before scheduling arrangements can proceed.
4. Contact your advisor.  They will need you to provide them with a completed and signed Scheduling Authorization before they can proceed with being part of a scheduling conversation.
5. Once authorized, you, your advisor, and your candidacy representatives can proceed with looking at possible dates, times, and locations for the interview.
6. When a date, time, and location is decided, complete the Confirmation and return to Student Services.  Any room or Zoom arrangments will then be reserved and verified.
7. At least three months prior to your interview, begin writing your endorsement essay.  The endorsement essay questions are provided by your synod candidacy representatives.
8. Usually by the September 1 deadline, you will need to provide the completed endorsement essay to your advisor, your candidacy representatives, and Student Services.  Note any extensions must be arranged in advance.  If you interview timing does not follow the usual timeline, develop a deadline in conversation with your candidacy represenatives. 
9. Two months prior to your interview, contact your synod candidacy representatives.  They will require you to sign another ELCA Consent to Release Student Information Form to release student information documents requested.  A completed and signed copy of this form must be sent to your synod candidacy committee and to Student Services.
10. Two months prior to your interview, you will need to request transcripts be sent to your candidacy representatives. 
11. Two months prior to your interview, you will need to have sent or send copies of your CPE evaluations to your candidacy representatives.