Do you ever get a sense that God is tapping you on the shoulder? Are you wondering what God is calling you to do with your life? Are you considering learning more about church leadership and whether it might be for you? Have you wondered what seminary study is like today?
You are not alone! The ELCA, in partnership with ELCA seminaries, is offering online discernment groups where you can join with others who share your curiosity. You’ll be matched with fellow seekers and a discernment mentor who will guide you. Over three sessions, explore how God may be calling you to serve. Go through the tabs above to learn more about our mentors, read reflections from past participants, and sign up to join a cohort!
Reverend Jennifer Sung has been an ordained Pastor with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America since 2019. Currently she serves at Calvary Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, right outside of George Floyd Square. She received her Master’s of Divinity from Luther Seminary and undergrad from Bethel University. Pastor Jenny also writes, speaks, and preaches for national and…
Pastor Beth Ann Lechtenberger Stone (she/her) was ordained into Word and Sacrament ministry in 2001 after graduating from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH. She has served parishes in central Pennsylvania, Lincoln, Nebraska, and now as senior pastor at Mt Pleasant Lutheran Church in Racine, Wisconsin since 2018 (Central Time). She also served a call…
Aneel Trivedi is the pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Park Ridge, a suburb bordering Chicago. He is a second-career Pastor and had an 18-year career in the corporate world before entering seminary at Wartburg. Aneel is originally from the Bay Area and spent the first half of his life living in both Northern and Southern…
Laura Sinche is currently the Assistant to the Bishop for Formation in the Delaware-Maryland Synod, working with youth and young adult programs and communications. Prior to this, she served as a campus pastor in Baltimore, MD for 15 years and she still serves the Lutheran Campus Ministry Network (LuMin) as their educational resources coordinator. As…
DanaLee Simon is an ordained Pastor, currently serving a non-stipendiary call as a Minister of Spiritual Life through the Rocky Mountain Synod. She is also a Certified Spiritual Director through the Spiritual Guidance Program at Shalem Institute in Washington, D.C. Spiritual direction is foundational to many aspects of her ministry which includes meeting with people one on…
I am Christine Myers Parker, serving Epiphany Lutheran Church in the Northeast corner of Baltimore City. I live in the city (a bike-able and bus-able distance even though I usually drive) with my husband (also a pastor) and two kids, now in middle school and high school. Running is my therapy. And I love sailboat racing with my…
I pushed the call to public ministry away for many years. I went to college after high school for a two-year degree and then went to work in the business world. With the exception of some time in my 20s I was active in my congregation. Prayer is a huge part of my life since…
Through my discernment journey, I’ve traveled the road of Counselor to Deacon to Pastor. Serving in a larger congregation in the Dallas Metroplex, I have the privilege of walking with people from diverse backgrounds who have traversed many roads with God. I look forward to holding space and hearing how God is inviting you to use your gifts in this next season of life.
I went directly from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) to Wartburg Seminary, where I was both a residential student and a distance student over my 4 years. I served as an intern at Phinney Ridge Lutheran in Seattle for 2 years because of Covid, so I have experience working in both large congregations and small. I…
Ordained in 2008, Pastor Chris Duckworth has served congregations in Arlington, VA, Saint Paul, MN, and Westfield, IN. From 2014 through 2020 he served as a Chaplain in the Indiana Army National Guard, mobilizing to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019 with the 638th Aviation Support Battalion. Chris teaches in the Theological Education for Emerging Ministries…
I am a “second” career pastor after 6 years in the Navy, 35 years in industry (research; product development; director of engineering, marketing, and program management). I started at Fuller Seminary while working full time and graduated from PLTS in Berkeley. After my CPE, I was hired by Providence Hospital as a staff chaplain. My…
2003 Graduate of LTSP (now ULS). I’ve served for 15 years as Pastor at Lutheran Church of the Reformation, West Long Branch, NJ 07753, and Vice Pastor of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Middletown NJ for 3 years. My first call was to Living Waters Lutheran Church, Ringoes, NJ, overseeing the final stage of…
Key Points: Central time zone 14 years in small town and rural ministry. Permanently confined to a wheelchair for the last 19 years. 2 years of youth ministry. 4 units of CPE. 6 years as a chaplain. My name is David Castner. I am currently serving at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Forrest Illinois. …
My baptismal journey began on June 5, 1961, among the faithful at Redeemer Lutheran in Flushing, NY. I am a graduate of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (ULS) – M.Div./D.Min. Ordained in 1981, I have served congregations in: Philadelphia PA; Washington, D.C.; Oakland, CA and Raleigh, NC. In my retirement I have been an…
Main gigs: Mission developer, pastor, trauma counselor, foundation director, emergency services chaplain Churchy stuff: church starts, camp staff, campus ministry pastor, international mission in Haiti, generalist pastor Passions: Buffalo Bills, Jesus…..shit, I’m supposed to say….Jesus, Bills, sometimes church, emergency service responders, fitness, craft beers, long walks on the beach Fam: Michelle (tolerant wife of 31…
I am the associate pastor at All Saints Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, MN (central time). I was a high school math teacher for 5 years prior to accepting my first call, and that led to a lot of discernment between being a pastor and a deacon. I have a heart and a passion for camping…
I’m in the SE Synod; retired. Over the years I have served congregations in five synods (Allegheny, Lower Susquehanna, NEPA, NW Ohio & SES). Beyond the parish I have served as a Hospital & Hospice Chaplain; Senior Residential Care Facilities chaplain; Director of MHMR & Behavioral Therapist. As an ecclesiastical enforced Counselor I have as well served in Mediation, Family…
I am Assistant to the Bishop for Mission Interpretation in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. I have served both as an Assistant to the Bishop and a Bishop in the Allegheny Synod where candidacy, mobility and transition were large parts of my call portfolio. My current call in the SEPA Synod (Philadelphia area, Eastern time zone)…
Rev. Danielle Miller serves as pastor of Advent Lutheran Church (www.adventnyc.org) on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. AdventNYC is a vibrant community committed to the liberative and welcoming work of the Gospel. She also serves as director of Pinecrest Leadership Ministries (www.pinecrestsllm.org), a faith and leadership development ministry for youth and young adults and as the Candidacy…
My name is Adam Arends and I serve as pastor at St. Timothy Lutheran Church on Grand Island, NY, near Buffalo. This is a 3/4 time call. I am also serving as transition pastor at two other local congregations. I have been working as an ordained pastor for six and a half years. My first…
Kevin Bergeson serves as the pastor of faith formation at Easter Lutheran Church, Eagan, MN (Central Time Zone). He is energized by helping the next generation learn the story of Jesus and serve the world around them. He has served in Minneapolis, South Dakota and Los Angeles. His spouse is also a pastor and he…
Hello from Colorado (Denver metro, Mountain Time) my name is Nate Preisinger and I currently serve as one of the pastors at Bethany Lutheran (Bethany-Denver.org). My path has wound from Buffalo snowbanks to Philadelphia row houses, serving congregations in both cities and later welcoming future church leaders as the Director of Admissions at United Lutheran Seminary. I love…
If you are interested in joining a cohort, fill out the form below and select “joining an online discernment group” under the “I am interested in…” question.
If you want more information before referring someone to a cohort or if you are a rostered minister interested in being a mentor, email Rev. Rick Summy.