Pastor Loren Gustafson

The first week of Advent has arrived and caught me by surprise. Where have the days gone leading up to this day and what will the future hold? Advent is a time of waiting and watching, anticipating the coming of Christ in our Christmas celebrations. This Advent is like none before. Advent marks the start of a new year in the church calendar and this year, everything is new to me.

I’ll be home in Copenhagen for Christmas this year. Cynthia and I arrived in Denmark a little over a month ago and we are still in a hectic state of transition, trying to get settled into the Church House which is now our home and at the same time trying to learn and understand our role in the ministry of the International Church of Copenhagen. Even the the most basic assumptions I have of what it means to be a pastor need to be evaluated and considered in light of the needs and expectations of the congregation.

A new ministry as pastor to the International Church of Copenhagen, new expectations as pastor and spouse providing hospitality at the Church House in Hellerup, a new neighborhood and a new grocery store, and a whole new world of Danish life fill my senses and put me on overload. I am watching for signs all the time. I am everyday waiting for a new thing to be discovered. I am anticipating great things from the ministry with this incredibly diverse and talented congregation. And so I am more fully immersed in Advent anticipation than ever before.

2009 The International Church of Copenhagen

Accepted the call through Global Mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Montana Synod to be a Global Mission Associate serving as pastor to the International Church of Copenhagen. Arrived Copenhagen 14 October 2009.

1996-2009 Our Redeemer’s Lutheran

Highlights of my 12 plus years in Helena, Montana include seeing the congregation compose a strategy for growth, leading over 200 members to attend one or more leadership seminars and building the ministry team to eight full time staff. The congregation also committed to two capital fund programs, purchased and paid for 20 acres of land in the Helena Valley to relocate its ministry and developed plans with the help of Mosaic Architecture for the new ministry facility. Serving as Lead Pastor at Our Redeemer’s was often times challenging, frequently exciting and always a dynamic spiritual journey.

1995-1996 The Portland Parish

It was a unique opportunity for me to serve in a rural North Dakota setting when I accepted the role of interim pastor as the six congregations of The Portland Parish worked through the search and call process for a new senior pastor.

1993-1995 St. Phillip’s Lutheran Church

Serving St. Phillip’s Lutheran Church in Ypsilanti, Michigan part-time was the perfect arrangement as it gave me the time to complete study and writing on my Doctor of Ministry program with Luther Seminary during our two years at Ann Arbor, Michigan. While small in numbers, the people of St. Phillip’s were great of heart and faith and we shared a rich spiritual ministry in the short time I served the congregation.

1989-1993 St John Lutheran Church

Called to serve as Senior Pastor at St. John, four years in Fargo, North Dakota proved to be a significant time for opening up new opportunities for the Gustafson family. Highlights at St. John included growing the ministry team, welcoming new families, adapting to the new sanctuary, conducting a capital appeal and launching a remodeling project to better blend in with the new construction.

1986-1989 Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd

Serving in partnership with my confirmation pastor was a pure delight! As an associate, I learned much from Pastor Dale Vitalis as we led the great people of Good Shepherd in spiritual growth, education ministries and building plans for the future. Three years in Billings, Montana went way too quickly.

1982-1986 First Lutheran Church

First call to ordained ministry as a youth pastor at First Lutheran, Fargo, North Dakota proved to be pivotal in shaping and directing my ministry in an evangelical direction.