The Burr in the Burbs

A lot has changed of late.  The Stiegemeyer family moved to Elmhurst, IL, a suburb of Chicago, in January 2010.  I was installed as the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church on January 24^th.  Their pastor for the last 8 years or so is Rev. Robert Fitzpatrick.  Though he is retiring this year, I’m very blessed to have a period of overlap for a few months.  For an incoming pastor, this is a dream situation, at least for me.  It means that Redeemer experiences no period of pastoral vacancy.  It also means that the new guy (me) has a chance to relocate his family and begin adjusting to the new community and the new congregation without having the full burden of responsibility right away.

I determined that I wanted to spend the first couple of months getting to know people, asking questions, listening to congregational stories, and begin establishing myself into the community.

God has blessed us abundantly.  We were able to purchase a home in Elmhurst a short distance from the church and close to Jacob’s new school.  Elmhurst is a fabulous town with about 43,000 people, not far from the highlights of Chicago, conveniently located near O’Hare, with great shopping, restaurants, culture, you name it.  We’re very pleased to be here.

More importantly, Redeemer is a wonderful congregation of about 450 members.  We have a beautiful building with some of the most glorious stained glass windows anywhere.  Our organ is excellent and our Music Director, Mr. Michael Waal, is top shelf.  We have a strong music program for the kids lead by Mrs. Heather Knight.  Our facility includes lots of classrooms, meeting space, and a full sized gymnasium.  The people are warm and friendly and fun to get to know.  I am extremely grateful for the gracious welcome we have received.

My joy overflows at being a pastor once more.  Presiding or assisting with weekly Eucharist, preaching on a regular basis, teaching bible classes, visiting members and developing plans for mission and ministry, etc.

I believe that it is imperative for a pastor to do what he can to be visible, accessible and engaged in his community.  Last Thursday, I was inducted as a member of the local Rotary Club, an organization devoted to community service.  It is incidentally a terrific way to network and get to know business and community leaders in the area where we live and our church ministers.

Mission and evangelization are, and have always been, driving priorities.  Given the many unchurched or under-churched people in our society, I think it is generally unwise to simply wait for new people to show up on our stoop.  It’s important to do things to draw people and be hospitable when they visit.  Certainly, we do not water down our proclamation of God’s Word.  Nor do we jettison our traditional worship practices.  Those things enhance and define our outreach, and do not impede it.

My goal is for everyone in the community to know me as the pastor at Redeemer and, as much as possible, have a positive impression of our church.  And this is not about me, as a person.  Anyone who knows me well, knows that I naturally tend toward being an introvert.  Part of me wishes I could just go and read books all day.  I want to make as many friends in the community, firstly, because I do like people.  And I want to be a positive contributing member of my community.  But it also occurs to me that when an unchurched or seeking person thinks of contacting a church, they might be more likely to give me a ring if they get to know me at Caribou Coffee or the Elmhurst Newcomer’s & Neighbors Club with my wife or from a Rotary luncheon.  Doesn’t it just make sense that people in need are more likely to visit a church if they already know the pastor socially?

Here is our church website.  Visit our Facebook Page: Redeemer of Elmhurst.  Our Sunday services are at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday morning.  Nursery childcare is available at 8:30.  Pay us a visit.