Oh My!
Though the difference between rostered ministers and pastors/deacons seems unclear, the 2016 amendments to the Model Constitution attempted to make this clear. Rostered ministers are individuals who are on the roster of Ministers of Word and Sacrament or the roster of Ministers of Word and Service. This is true, regardless of whether or not they are currently serving in a call. "Pastor" and "deacon" are the titles of the called position in a congregation. ELCA Bylaw 7.31.02.
| When Referring To | Use |
|---|---|
| Anyone on the roster of Ministers of Word and Sacrament, regardless of call status | Minister of Word and Sacrament |
| Anyone on the roster of Ministers of Word and Service, regardless of call status | Minister of Word and Service |
| Anyone on either roster, regardless of call status | Rostered Minister |
| A minister of Word and Sacrament called to a congregation | Pastor |
| A minister of Word and Sacrament of a full communion partner under contract to a congregation | Pastor |
| A minister of Word and Service called to a congregation | Deacon |
| Anyone on either roster called to another body | Varies (chaplain, bishop, etc.) |
| Anyone not on either roster | Layperson |
Note: Ministers of Word and Service are not considered laypersons by the ELCA.
Example: An easy way to think of this distinction is to consider chaplains. Many ELCA ministers of Word and Sacrament serve as chaplains. When called as a chaplain, John Doe may be known as "Chaplain Doe" and put on his business card, "Rev. John Doe, Chaplain at First Lutheran Hospital". When called as a pastor, Jane Doe may be known as "Pastor Doe" and put on her business card, "Rev. Jane Doe, Pastor at First Lutheran Church".
Note: When referring to the roster, "Minister" will be capitalized because it's part of the title. When referring to a minister on the roster, "minister" is not capitalized unless at the beginning of the sentence. Thus, a minister of Word and Service is on the roster of Ministers of Word and Service.
Warning: The ELCA Constitution never uses the word "reverend". This is an honorific attached to an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament. As such, the term is never used separate from a specific individual.
Though a congregation may call their pastors by any special titles they wish, the types of pastoral calls congregational ministries can extend are as follows: Pastor, senior pastor, associate pastor, assistant pastor, co-pastor, and shared-time pastor. ELCA Continuing Resolution 7.44.A16.b.
Example: Larger congregations often extend calls for an assistant pastor but title the position something like "visitation pastor" or "youth pastor".