YOUR PASTOR PONDERS…………………………………………………………………… 39 YEARS
It was 39 years ago, this February 4th, it was a Sunday afternoon in my home church, where I
was in the youth group, sang in the choir and was married and played on the softball teams. It
was Calvary Lutheran in Louisville, Kentucky. The Bishop was there, he was a tall and imposing
man, and he had me kneel and make all kinds of promises and then he said “you will be instant
in prayer”, among other things. He then put the red stole over my shoulders that Jeanne had
needle point for me. It was a very special day. It began many things for me. One thing it began I
just thought about yesterday. It changed my name. Up until then I was always called David, but
for the last 40 years or so, most people call me Pastor. So my title became my name. Its second
nature to me now. It defines what happened that day. I was set apart within a community
of believers. People of Calvary Lutheran, the Lutheran Church in America, and ultimately all
people of the Christian faith.
That’s a big network. I have met thousands of people through that network because all of my
congregations, except for my current call, had over 1,000 members. Plus the communities I
served in, the numbers added up. As a result of that event 39 years ago I have been blessed
over and over again through the people in that network. People who have worked with me,
served with me, played sports with me, gone camping with me (scouts and youth) prayed with
me, cried with me, and loved with me. My ministry has always been characterized by service
because that was the major instructions I felt I received that day. As with Peter when Jesus told
him to “feed my sheep”, I have tried my best to help folks with all kinds of human, spiritual, and
physical needs. The towns were all over this great country, the hours and days ran together,
and many of my parishes had gyms to enjoy for sports. Because sports had been my life up until
then and ministry gave me a chance to blend the two foci of my life.
Jeanne and I have friends now all over the country because of what happened on February
4th, 39 years ago. We picked up seven children along the way and tended to over 450 foster
children as well. An interesting comment I recall vividly from my dad was “David whenever
you get the chance to move, move farther south.” Little did he or I know that South Florida
is “about” as far south as you can go. So I listened.
I am so thrilled to be serving here at Grace during this 39th year because it is a very special place
for ministry. It encompasses all that I have worked with over the years. I began my first full time
call a week later in Norfolk, Virginia, indicating that I went to work right away. So now that I
have pondered this, I have to get back to work right now.
Blessings on All who Serve!
The Rev. Dr. David E. Imhoff, pastor
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