Pastor's Message
Here I am in Hawaii at our last Pacifica Synod Assembly -- in some of my most
favorite moments with the people I love -- my family!
There are probably other things you'd like to know about me but the fact that
I love and enjoy my family should be one of the first. Of course that love is an
overflowing on God's love for me that I share with them and the world.
My Motto is: Love God, Love Your Family, and Serve Others.
As time permits, I'll write short articles or letters about my beliefs and
post them here. The first one is on the
Bible.
Other interesting items and notes:
- Born in Graceville, Minnesota -- if you know where it is without looking
at a map, please email me.
- Born with Amniotic Banding Syndrome, which means that my fingers and toes
were fused or shortened prior to birth. Thankfully the Shriner's hospital
untwisted my club foot and fixed me up. My fingers and hands do look a bit
funny but it has not kept me from doing anything but playing piano. As a
Pastor, I find it interesting that this minor birth defect has caused me more
trouble in the Church world than in the engineering world. Several
congregation refused to even interview me because of this. (Thank God! I
wouldn't want to be any part of such a prejudicial Church.) But also thank God
for the true and loving people of the two congregations I have served --
Atonement Lutheran in San Diego and now King of Kings here in Oceanside. I
have found that their ability to see past this minor birth defect is reflected
in their open and loving stance towards everyone. Both congregations have
shown God's love to others and to me and my family.
- In 1969, we moved from Minneapolis to San Diego.
- In 1974, I was confirmed at All Saints Lutheran Church in University City.
I was lucky to be mentored by three wonderful Pastors while there -- Jack
Lindquist, Bill Montgomery, and Ivor Kraft. Each in their own way, helped me
to understand God's love and grace.
- Graduated from Clairemont High School in 1978
- Graduated from UCSD with a degree in engineering in 1983 and went to work
as a computer programmer.
- Went to Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS)
for 3 semesters before returning to the computer programming world. I felt God
was calling me to do something but not ordained ministry.
- In 1990, I joined Tierrasanta Lutheran Church in San Diego. There I
reformulated my connection with a Church into a more mature view. Over time, I
felt drawn into leadership of the congregation and eventually back to
Seminary. I began to take Seminary Classes one at a time to fill in the gaps
of my education and get my brain back in gear.
- Jan 1994 -- I returned to PLTS to finish my education and while there I
met Karla Halvorson. After just 5 weeks of dating, we were engaged and got
married a year later on June 24, 1995.
- After seminary, I was appointed the Interim Pastor at
Atonement Lutheran
Church in San Diego. For the next 16 months I worked at a computer
programmer during the week and as a Pastor in the evenings and weekends. While
the Call Committee looked for a Pastor, I fell in love with the people.
- On Jan 18, 1998 I was ordained to be their part-time Pastor.
- I remained at Atonement until Jan 1, 2007 when I became the Pastor at King
of Kings Lutheran in Oceanside.
April 2008
Wow -- I'd better do a more comprehensive Blogging or just forget it. Anyhow,
all is good. The past few months have been consumed with getting ready to begin
the Church's building program.
October 2007
The fires have been devastating but once again our congregation has pulled
together.
September 2007
We finally bought a house in Oceanside.
August 2007
Wow! VBS was amazing -- lots of kids and fun.
July 2007
I'm looking ahead to a wonderful Day Camp here at King of Kings. Look for
pictures to be posted soon.
June 2007
Wow -- it is hard to believe that I have been at King of King's for almost 6
months.
February 2007
This small page of information will eventually be replaced by something
bigger and better but for now let me just say that I am overjoyed to be at King
of Kings Lutheran.
In my first few months here, I have felt an energy and longing for God that
is amazing.
As we contemplate where we should go in the future, the focus has always been
on evangelizing and finding new ways for people to meet Jesus and His great love
for the world.
That's enough of a placeholder for now -- check back and I'll be adding
things later.
In Christ's Service,
Pastor James
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