38 thoughts on “Approved”

  2. As the wife of a retired pastor who has served on a candidacy committee for many years, I also congratulate you and wish you well as your journey progresses. I have listened to him struggle and wrestle and rejoice over the candidates and I understand what you have been through. Godspeed!!!

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  11. Yep. He did it, “with the help of God,” as we like to say. I was there. Congratulations again, Mike. And be assured that both you and Carin B are in our prayers as you walk alongside that family in crisis whom the two of you were supporting this weekend at Hospice.

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  12. I’m curious about the name “Evangelical Lutheran Church”. Are there several Lutheran Churches; splits within the Lutherans?

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  13. Very good news indeed. Congratulations. I remember from my Methodist candidacy days just how grueling such a process can be.

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  18. Chaplaincy work is essential, and from various statements you have made you seem to be gifted in that respect and to have a heart for it. May God guide you with wisdom and love.

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  21. Congratulations. Good news indeed. The church will be richer for it. May our gracious God richly bless you, whichever direction your journey takes from here.

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  23. No, Fr. Ernesto, I was ordained in a non-denominational church. For the past year and a half, I have been in the preparation process for ordination in a Lutheran church. I’ve just completed the process. In the Lutheran church, one does not get ordained until he/she receives a call from a congregation to be their pastor, so I won’t be officially ordained until that happens or, if God leads another way, when I seek special ordination as a chaplain.

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  27. Congratulations and God’s abundant blessings, strength and wisdom for years of service – all glory to God!

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  29. Yes. At least until February. My name will go out to the bishops in the synods where I have indicated interest, and they will try to discern the needs of their churches and my gifts and see if and where there might be a fit. We will work with the synods and churches to discern if we would like to pursue any available opportunities. There is a chance that ongoing discernment will lead to me staying with hospice, or finding some combination of chaplaincy and congregational ministry.

    Much ground yet to be covered, but the formal preparation process is over.

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  37. Congrats Chaplain Mike!
    Greetings also to anyone on the candidacy committee who have been following this site to make sure he is on the level 🙂

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