ULMA Missionary (Minister) at Large

Position Description

Approved: November 12, 2006

Revised (style): February 8, 2007

April 2008: Our first Missionary at Large is Rev. James Shaw. He accepted the call to Pilgrim Lutheran Church and is now serving at Agnus Dei Lutheran Church, our mission in Spotsylvania/Fredericksburg, Virginia. When it comes time to call our next Missionary at Large an announcement will be made through a News Release as well as this website. Feel free to examine the information below and read a copy of our Missionary at Large Candidate Information form. Keep us in mind if the position interests you and you would like to be considered as a candidate in the future. As always, you can contact one of our member congregations with any questions. Candidates will need to complete our Missionary at Large Candidate Information form and return it to the Calling Committee. Direct copies of the form in various formats (Text, PDF, RTF), are available at the bottom of this page. Some have asked us why our pastors and missionaries are interviewed before receiving a divine call. Members of a synod, conference, or similar structure that train their own clergy and teachers can assure other members that their staff meets certain requirements in belief and practice. With such a process a divine call can be issued without question as to their qualifications, beliefs, and practice. The ULMA is not a synod, does not have a seminary or teaching college, or a certification board. We rely on calling men who were trained in conservative, confessional Lutheran bodies with which we have no formal relationship. The divergent practices and beliefs that have sadly been witnessed to some degree in these synods have necessitated the use of an interview process with potential candidates for a call. This practice is similar to the same certification process used by the seminaries of most synods. Once this process is successfully completed, the pastor may be considered a candidate for a divine call to an ULMA member congregation or mission. Location To be determined. Position Summary The person filling this position will find a group of people who are interested in forming a congregation in accordance with the Constitutional Guidelines for Mission Congregations of the ULMA. It will be necessary to determine the enthusiasm and willingness of such to sacrifice time and money in order to proclaim the pure Word of Christ and, by use of the pure Word, draw others into its setting. He will act as shepherd for the group and assist them in their becoming a congregation. The Missionary at Large will not automatically become the Pastor of the new congregation. The laity of the newly established congregation will call their own Pastor. Duties Establish a congregation with the purpose to extend the kingdom of God by the preaching of the Word of God, by the religious instruction of all it members according to the confessional standard of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, by the administration of the Sacraments according to the doctrinal standard of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and to foster Christian fellowship and love. Upon entering this office, the Pastor shall sign the Constitutional Guidelines for Mission Congregations of the ULMA, thereby pledging himself to observe the same. Specifics: Preach and teach the Word of God in its truth and purity. See that only such hymns, prayers and liturgies shall be used in the public services of the Mission/Congregation and in all ministerial acts as conform to the Doctrinal Standards of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Administer the Holy Sacraments and bring to the sick and infirm the consolation of the Gospel. Aid the parents in instruction of the young in true Lutheran doctrines as conform to the Doctrinal Standards of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Teach youth and adult Confirmation classes. Teach adult Sunday Bible class Admonish the erring, to recall the straying, to restore the fallen and watch over their souls. Lead an exemplary life and perform duties incumbent upon his holy office. Qualifications Must be a male. Must have a Master of Divinity Degree and be a graduate from an LCMS, ELS, or WELS seminary, or from a church body in fellowship with the LCMS, ELS, or WELS. Must be a recent graduate or served as an ordained minister in the Lutheran Church and confess all the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired, infallible, inerrant Word of God and all the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as the correct exposition of the Holy Scriptures. Preferred skills: Able to preach and teach the Word of God Self motivated Leadership Demonstrated mentoring and outreach experience
Missionary at Large Candidate Information Form
For those who wish to print or complete the form within your own word processing program, we have it available here in three formats. Right-click the link in order to save a copy of the file to your computer.
Text	PDF	RTF

Updated: April 24, 2008

[ Home ] [ Search ] [ Frequently Asked Questions ] [ ULMA Constitution ] [ Constitutional Guidelines for Mission Congregations ] [ Member Congregations ] [ Membership Application ] [ ULMA Mission Intent ] [ Missions ] [ Fellowship ] [ News Releases ] [ Missionary at Large ] [ Observations on Selecting Missions from Acts ] [ How You Can Help ] [ Contact Us ]