Leadership at Our Lord's Lutheran Church in Maryville, IL

Leadership

Our Lord's Lutheran Church has a dynamic structure that helps us to organize the work we do in Jesus' name and support members as they utilize their gifts for ministry. We have a Council (church board), a Ministry Support Team (formerly known as the Steering Team), and a fluid configuration of Ministry Teams.

The Church Council sets policy and processes, exercises financial and property oversight, and works to develop and communicate the mission and vision of Our Lord's. The Ministry Support Team organizes the implementation of ministries in five areas of congregational life: worship, education, fellowship, service, and IT (technology). The Council appoints the members of the Ministry Support Team. Ministry Teams are task oriented groups of three or more people who engage in doing specific work within an area of congregational life. All participants in the life of the congregation have the opportunity to be a part of a ministry team.

When a participant in this faith community hears God's call to engage in a new ministry, he/she is to seek out at least two other people who will work together to start this ministry. They then present their idea to the Ministry Support Team member for that area of congregational life. If the new ministry idea is in line with the mission, vision, and values of Our Lord's, and if it is self-funding, the Ministry Support Team will give the go ahead for the new ministry team to begin and will assist in discerning the timing of the work. The Ministry Support Team exists to equip members for doing the work of ministry and developing their own leadership abilities. If at any time a member of the congregation is unsure of which area of ministry their idea falls in, they should not hesitate to contact Pastor Kratzer for guidance. She will be happy to shepherd you through this fluid and flexible process.

Pastor

Pastor Darla Kratzer

A note from Pastor Darla Ann:

"Because nothing really truly goes without saying, let me affirm what many of my ELCA colleagues have been letting folks know: If you are considering marrying your partner but fear you may soon lose the opportunity, I’ll be happy to do pre-marital counseling and officiate for you, pro bono! A religious wedding may add another layer of protection. (I’m a Lutheran pastor in the ELCA and so do weddings in the Christian tradition). Let’s talk."

Pastor Darla Ann R. Kratzer came to Our Lord’s in June of 2019. Before moving to Maryville, she served as a pastor in congregations in northeastern Ohio for twenty-one years. She is a graduate of Bethany College (Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry), The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (Master of Divinity), and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry).

She thoroughly enjoys working with children, teenagers, and their parents. Two additional ministry areas that she is passionate about are caring for the hungry and building relationships with people of other faith traditions so that we might better serve our neighbors, the stranger, and all who are in need of God’s gracious love.

Ministry Leaders

Church Council

Back row - Alan Kramer, Pastor Darla Ann Kratzer, Max Eakin; Front row - Kathy Hoelscher, Tom Steinmann, Jaime Henderson

Mnistry Support Team

Back row - Ed Foppe, Alan Kramer, Erick Larson, Tim Nyland, Randy Kampwerth; Front row - Laura Foppe, Karen Cummings-Larson, Pastor Kratzer, Lyn Kampwerth, Jan Vinson