What is the Pasque Pathway?

We hope and trust that the resources here will help to equip YOU to answer God's call. Whether you are wondering how to plan a worship service, exploring a call to congregational leadership, deepening your Lutheran grounding, preparing for authorized ministry, or simply wanting to better understand the faith you already live: there is a place for you here on the Pasque Pathways.

  • Step into a new role, an expanded ministry or a whole new way of thinking about being "called."

  • Deepen your grounding in Lutheran theology and the mission of the ELCA.

  • Develop practical tools for leadership in the real-life context of your congregation.

Introduction to Pasque Pathways

A "welcome" message from Pastor Kari.


Pasque Pathways for SAMs

South Dakota SAMs receive full access to these resources through their Pasque Pathways membership, which includes coaching, a weekly Zoom text study, a digital community, and all of the courses listed below. Lay leaders who are not SAMs are welcome to enroll in individual courses for a one-time fee to strengthen their leadership capacity.

What Folks Are Saying...

“The online platform worked really well for me, and it is very well organized. Easy to understand. Probably some of the most valuable parts are when Rev. Webb shared her personal experiences and recommendations for constructing and leading a service.”

Participant, Leading Lutheran Worship

“Everything! To go deeper, I really, really, appreciated the section on Power and Trust. I was able to think about aspects of my boundaries that I hadn't thought about as much, which has helped me to reorientate and tweak a few things so that my boundaries can be healthier and stronger. I also appreciated naming that boundary erosion happens to everyone, but what matters is recognizing the signs of erosion and take the steps to mend places of erosion.”

Participant, Boundaries in Ministry Training

“This is the best boundaries training I have done. I have done an in-person training, a Zoom training, and now this self-paced series of modules. The modules were well-thought out and clear. The information was relevant and helpful. The modules were short enough to complete in one sitting while also relaying important information in an interesting, attention-grabbing manner (the videos, images, etc.). Receiving personal feedback directly from Pastor Kari was a lovely gift, too. ”

Participant, Boundaries in Ministry Settings

“I found the course incredibly comforting. The tone of the videos was perfect, and i really appreciated the mix of reading and listening: it kept me interested the whole time. ”

Participant, Leading Lutheran Worship

More About Synod Authorized Ministry

In some instances, the Bishop will recommend that a person join the Pasque Pathways before authorizing them to serve as a SAM (Synod Authorized Minister) in their context.   In the ELCA, a SAM is not a permanent status or a general credential. A SAM is a lay person who may be authorized by the bishop to provide Word and Sacrament ministry in a specific local setting when an ordained minister is not available.


That authorization is local, limited, and at the bishop's discretion. Taking courses through Pasque does not automatically make someone a SAM. It does not authorize someone for life, nor replace the church's call to seek ordained Word and Sacrament ministry whenever possible. Instead, Pasque provides formation, training, and support for all of God's people, regardless of where discernment of their baptismal call may lead them. 


A SAM serves much like the judges in the Old Testament: raised up for a particular people, in a particular time, for a particular need. The role matters deeply, but it is not the same as ordained ministry, and it is not detached from local context.