As Northern Illinois Synod’s congregations adapt to the current ministries they can provide, their ministerial leadership needs change, too. Some can no longer afford a full-time rostered minister, either on their own or shared with another local congregation. When ordained clergy are not available, congregations may request to be served by a lay minister. In Northern Illinois Synod, lay ministers who are allowed to preside over communion and baptisms in a specific context are called “Synod Authorized Ministers,” or “SAMs” for short.
Although the first SAMs may have been asked to serve congregations as emergency coverage, lay ministry has adapted over the years. As synod leadership realized the many unique gifts of local lay ministry, the number of SAMs has grown. Some SAMs primarily provide worship leadership while others also serve during the week.
Because SAMs are from the congregation they serve or a nearby congregation, they have a deep appreciation for the local context. SAMs often have a profound heart for rural ministry. They practice God-given gifts of faithful curiosity, service, willingness to learn, being able to love God’s people, being an active participant in the Body of Christ, and responding to the baptismal call to do God’s work.
SAMs are expected to have some preaching and religious education through a lay faith formation program like Growing in Faith/The diakoniaTM Program. Many have also taken the Backstory Preaching class, Preaching Among Friends.
If a congregation would like to request a SAM, the call committee and council are encouraged to complete a Congregational Application for Synod Authorized Ministry. This is essentially an abbreviated Ministry Site Profile, and it will help synod staff to match the congregation with a potential SAM.
Application Process for Synod Authorized Ministers
Submit an application at this link: https://nis.breezechms.com/form/samapp
- This application asks for contact information, educational background, and a few faith essay questions. Each essay question can be completed in 200-500 words. Here are the essay prompts:
- Provide a brief autobiography that includes your early years, faith formation, and current life situation.
- Briefly describe your education and experiences that have formed you to serve as a minister in Northern Illinois Synod.
- Describe your faith in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, including your relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Discuss how you envision being part of the community of ministers in the Northern Illinois Synod. How have you, in the past, engaged with the synod and wider ministries of the ELCA, and plan to engage in the future?
- As part of this application, you will pay the $25 fee that covers the cost of your background check.
After submitting the application, a potential SAM is asked to provide the following documents:
- A letter of recommendation from your pastor or council president.
- One – three sermons (Each can either be a manuscript or a link to a worship video with sermon start time).
- A SAM Information Form. A fillable PDF is available here: SAM Information Form
After your application is received, Pastor Julie Monnard will order a background check. You will receive an email from Checkr with the steps to complete the process.
After all paperwork is received, you will work with Laura Bergren to schedule a Zoom interview with Bishop Fidlar. Often, Pastor Julie Monnard and a member of the Lay Ministry Subcommittee will also serve as interviewers.
You will know by the end of the interview if you will be authorized or not.
Please note that those already on the Lay Pulpit Supply List only need an interview because they have already shared all of the necessary documentation.
After being authorized, synod staff will work with the SAM and the congregation to ensure that the minister starts well.
- Synod staff will create a Letter of Agreement outlining expectations for the congregation and the SAM.
- Synod staff will assign a Rostered Minister to serve as a mentor.
Support for SAMs and Congregations
Every SAM is assigned a Rostered Minister to serve as a mentor.
In the first three months, the mentor works with the SAM to review sermons and ensure that the SAM is comfortable leading worship.
After the first three months, the mentor can work with the SAM to further develop leadership skills and address situations that come up in the congregation.
Bishop Fidlar hosts quarterly Zoom meetings with all SAMs to address their questions and provide opportunities for mutual support. These meetings sometimes include guest speakers.
All SAMs are required to attend Year A of Boundaries Education, which focuses on professional ethics. Those serving 15 hours or more a week are required to attend Year B Gender Justice Boundaries and Year C Racial Justice Boundaries.
SAMs are also strongly encouraged to attend the Synod Assembly, Professional Leaders Conference, and Congregational Resourcing Event.
