2018Distinguished Pastor Program

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Administered by the

Evangelical Lutheran Education Association

A Program to Honor Pastors Who Have Given Outstanding Support to

ELCA Schools and Early Childhood Centers

Thank you for suggesting your pastor (or a colleague pastor) as a nominee for this award. You, the nominator, should complete this nomination form. Please read the criteria for nomination criteria and specific instructions. As the nominator, you should be actively seeking the required letters of recommendation and the required signatures prior to beginning the nomination form. The entire nomination package must be submitted by March 31, 2018, preferably by email to .

TO BE COMPLETED BY THE NOMINATOR (Please print or type)

Nominee Contact Information

Nominee Name: ______

Home Address (if known): ______

City, State Zip: ______

Home or Cell Phone: ______E-mail Address:______

Church Contact Information

Name of Church: ______

Address: ______

City, State Zip: ______

Church Contact Name: ______

Email: ______Phone: ______

School Contact Information

Name of School or Center: ______

Address (if different from Church): ______

City, State Zip (if different from Church): ______

School/Center Administrator’s Name: ______

Email: ______Phone: ______

School/Center Website: ______

Please Check  ELEA Member  Other (name) ______

Application Questions(type answers in this document using as much space as you need, or write in responses, or attach a separate document:

  • How does the nominee provide for the spiritual needs of administration, faculty, staff, and the students?
  • How does the nominee participate in activities of the school or center community? Please provide specific examples.
  • Please tell one story that best exemplifies this pastor’s commitment to Lutheran education.
  • Give specific examples of how the nominee shows support for the school or early childhood center’s administration.
  • How does the nominee engage the community in financial support and planning for the future of Lutheran schools and early childhood centers? Provide specific examples.

Required Documents

Please provide four letters of recommendation, one each from:

  1. The principal or director of the school or early childhood center which this pastor serves;
  2. A teaching staff member of the school or center;
  3. An officer of the school board/parish council or other governing body of the school or center;
  4. A parent of a current or former student

Each person should clearly identify his/her role in the letter.

Gayle Denny, Executive Director

ELCA Schools and Learning Centers

All applications should arrive by March 31, 2018

BISHOP’S CERTIFICATION FORM

The above-named pastor has been nominated for ELCA Schools and Learning Center’s 2018 Distinguished Pastor. This form is to certify that the Bishop understands the following obligations and responsibilities inherent in acceptance of this award.

  • The Distinguished Pastor will be expected to attend the 2019 National Administrators & Pastors Conference in Grapevine, Texas, January 31-March 2, 2019.
  • ELEA will provide the conference registration fee.
  • The Distinguished Pastor will have a short article about their award in several publications.
  • The Bishop or his/her representative signing this form knows of no reason why the nominated pastor should not receive this award (i.e. impending retirement, disciplinary action, etc.)

This is to certify that I acknowledge and endorse the nomination of

Name of Nominee

as a nominee for the ELCA Schools and Learning Centers’ 2018 Distinguished Pastor Award

Name of Bishop or Designee (please print)Title

Address of Synod OfficePhone Number (including area code)

Signature of Bishop or DesigneeDate

2018 ELCA Schools and Learning Centers

Distinguished Pastor Award

Eligibility

Anyone with sufficient knowledge and ability to complete the nomination form and accompanying paperwork is eligible to nominate a worthy pastor. Nominators are often school or early childhood center administrators, fellow clergy, or other church/school staff. The Synodical Bishop may also nominate a pastor. The school or early childhood center which the pastor is serving must be a current member of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (

Criteria

The nominated pastor must:

  1. Possess a clear philosophy of Lutheran education.
  2. Provide spiritual guidance to the school or center community.
  3. Participate in school/center activities.
  4. Work with the school board and/or parent association.
  5. Support the school/center administration.
  6. Engage the community in providing financial support to the school or center.
  7. Receive high recommendations from a principal, faculty member, school board/parish council officer and parent or a present or former student.
  8. Receive the endorsement and approval of the Synodical Bishop.
  9. Have a minimum of three years of service as a pastor in a congregation sponsoring an ELEA-member early childhood program, elementary and/or secondary school.

NOTE TO THE NOMINEE: Please submit your completed application packet to:

Gayle Denny

ELCA Schools and Learning Centers

500 N. Estrella Parkway

Suite B2, Box 601

Goodyear, AZ 85338

An email submission is preferable to: or fax is acceptable to 623-882-8770

IMPORTANT:

Please be sure that your entire packet is included in your mailing. If there are pieces missing you will be asked to provide the missing pieces before the deadline.

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