It provides services, programs, grants, and counsel to undergird the diverse ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Special emphases include recruitment and guidance of candidates for church occupations, opportunities for continuing education, advice and financial support for theological education, development of standards for ministry, promotion of the ministry of all the baptized, support of those in ministries of specialized pastoral care, publication of Lutheran Partners, and relationship to the ELCA Deaconess Community.
Partnership is maintained with regions and synods through a network of deployed staff members.