As the Holy Spirit continues to form and reform Christ’s Church, the Lay Ministry Academy of the Virginia Synod seeks to respond to the new and varied ways that worship and ministry are happening in our congregations and in other worship settings.

The Spirit has already been at work lifting up lay people who sense a call to serve in worship and ministry leadership, especially for the various congregations in our synod who are without the regular services of an ordained pastor. Seeing God’s grace in providing for the Church, we give thanks for all faithful lay leaders who answer God’s call to service.

In response to the Spirit’s work, the Lay Ministry Academy offers to those discerning a call to these ministries a community, and the education, training, support, supervision, authorization, and continuing education to enable them to serve in the VA Synod as a Commissioned Lay Minister. Commissioned Lay Ministers may serve as lay preachers or Synod Authorized Ministers or in other ministries.

Commissioned Lay Minister is the updated and inclusive term for those who serve as lay preachers, SAMs, and in other roles.

Congregation & Synod Leaders may choose to go through the Lay Ministry Academy to deepen their formation in scripture, theology, and leadership skills. They may choose to continue to existing roles within their congregation or the synod. They may discern new ways to use their gifts within their congregation and the synod. (Note: It is not a requirement for congregation and synod leaders to participate in the LMA.)

Commissioned Lay Preachers are persons who have been equipped and formed through the Lay Ministry Academy to formally proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in the congregations of the Virginia Synod. They serve at the endorsement and commission of the bishop, after completing training and practicum work. They provide occasional worship leadership and preaching to congregations and worship communities; not serving as the essential pastor or deacon of the congregation. Lay preachers may share their gifts in both their home congregations and in other worship settings.

Synod Authorized Ministers (SAMs) are identified and equipped persons for service in congregations as described by the ELCA constitution (7.31.10) and administered by the ELCA Conference of Bishops. SAMs are assigned by the VA Synod bishop and authorized for certain leadership functions in specific synod-related locations for a specified length of time. SAMs are paired with a supervising pastor for as long as they serve. SAMs must attend annual boundary training, complete continuing education, and abide by ELCA guidelines.

The LMA Leadership Team is developing discernment support for Commissioned Lay Ministers who complete Part 2, are approved, and do not have an available SAM placement.

Learn more about Synod Authorized Minsters

Download the 2025 Lay Ministry Academy Brochure

The steps for becoming a Commissioned Lay Minister resemble the ELCA candidacy process for pastors and deacons, but the SAM program is administered by the Virginia Synod Lay Ministry Academy (LMA).

• APPLICATION: Complete and submit the LMA application, background check, references, and entrance essay.
• ENTRANCE: The LMA Leadership Team will review the documents and schedule an entrance interview before making an entrance decision.
• EDUCATION & FORMATION, PART 1: The first year will include six courses, covering Lutheran theology, Biblical studies, worship, and preaching.
• ENDORSEMENT: After the first year of classes, lay ministry candidates will be invited into further mutual discernment with the LMA Leadership Team about whether they are being called to serve as a Commissioned Lay Minister or by continuing in their current roles as a lay person in their congregation. The process will include personal reflection, mentor evaluation, and psychological evaluation.
  • Those who are endorsed as a Commission Lay Minister candidate will be commissioned by the Office of the Bishop and may begin serving as a lay preacher or another congregational role. 
  • Those who are endorsed as a SAM candidate will continue with Part 2.
• EDUCATION & FORMATION, PART 2: Those who are endorsed to continue in the formation process to become a SAM will complete additional courses, covering pastoral care, leadership, and other contextual learning.
• APPROVAL: The LMA Leadership Team will do a final approval interview. The approval decision will be forwarded to the bishop, who, in consultation with the synod council, may approve the candidate for ministry as a SAM. The LMA Leadership Team is developing discernment support for Commissioned Lay Ministers who complete Part 2, are approved, and do not have an available SAM placement. 
• COMMISSION of SAMs: The Office of the Bishop will work with SAMs and congregations to match them together for ministry leadership. Once a SAM is appointed to serve a ministry site, the bishop authorizes that person as a Synod Authorized Minister. Each authorized and serving SAM is paired with a supervising pastor. They are expected to meet together monthly as long as the SAM is serving in a congregation.

Part 1: Entranced LMA Candidates

Courses:
Lutheran Theology
Bible Essentials: Hebrew Bible
Bible Essentials: New Testament
Boundaries and Healthy Communications
Worship and Sacraments
Preaching (with small group cohort)

Timeline: 12-18 months total

Cost: $1500

Part 2: Endorsed Commissioned Lay Ministers (Required to be a SAM)

Courses:
Foundations of Pastoral Care
Discipleship and Leadership
SAMs in Context

Timeline: 6-9 months

Cost: $750

Anyone feeling called to serve as a Commissioned Lay Minister, as a lay preacher, SAM, or something else, will use the same application. People are also invited to apply even if they are not quite sure how God is calling them! Click on the link below to access the application. Once you start the application, you will be able to indicate whether you feel called to serve as a lay preacher, a SAM, or that you are not yet sure.

Applications for the 2026 LMA Cohort will open on August 5.

Applications are due on September 15, 2025.

The LMA Leadership Team consists of rostered ministers and Commissioned Lay Ministers who give their time and expertise to guide the LMA candidates during the formation and placement process. Their work is supported by rostered ministers who mentor SAMS after they have been placed.

The Rev. Kristen Van Stee [LMA@vasynod.org] serves as chair of the LMA Leadership Team and is the first point of contact. The Rev. Colleen Hetrick [hetrick@vasynod.org], Assistant to the Bishop, works with the leadership team.