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Home » Growing in Faith » Vocation » Rostered Leadership

Leaders who have been called to serve in the ELCA serve on one of four “rosters” (lists) to carry out the ministry and mission of the church, sharing God’s boundless love with the world.  Ordained leaders are called “pastors,” and there are also three additional types of lay rostered leaders. To learn more about a type of rostered leader in the ELCA, select from the options below:

Ordained Ministry
Ordained ministers, or pastors, serve with hearts filled with love and courage, to offer the hope of the sacraments and to lead the proclamation of the Gospel.

Associates in Ministry
Partners in ministry, these leaders are commissioned for ministry to equip and enable others in their Christian lives. They serve in congregations and other ministries of the ELCA.

Diaconal Ministers
These consecrated leaders seek to equip and motivate others to lead a model Christian life. Their vocation is lived-out in both church and world.

Deaconesses
The ELCA Deaconess Community supports women who are consecrated for service to the church.

Specialized Calls
From chaplains to interim ministry, the ELCA calls rostered leaders to specialized calls within this church.