From The Desk Of Pastor Glen Stadler…
“No, I don’t think so, but thanks” was the way I ended a phone conversation in July 1998. Lee (my spouse) asked who was on the phone and I said “some guy from Arizona?” “What did he want?” she quipped. “Something about starting a new Lutheran Church in either the Phoenix or Las Vegas area” I added. Lee continued to ask me questions. I didn’t have any answers. She pushed me to call him back. I did. A month later in August 1998, our Minnesota climatic bodies, walked off the plane into the blurring heat of Sky Harbor. We were ready to turn around, but felt obligated to see and learn.
The Assistant to the Bishop drove us out to the East end of Mesa. He pulled off the highway on a random road (Signal Butte), we faced south into the buildingless/roadless desert, and he said, “Glen, this could be your next parish.” I looked at him and said, “nobody lives here?” “Not yet” he grinned. That was 19 years ago. I didn’t know it at the time, but my life changed at that moment. I entered into something magical, something that defied logic and could only work if God was crazy enough to team up with me, and this little bunch who eventually surrounded me. Yes, I felt like a failure too many times. Yes, I was flying by the seat of my pants. Yes, I thought God had picked the wrong guy. But somehow by the grace of God, things clicked.
Thousands of people have passed through my life these past 19 years. I cannot fathom how many hugs have been exchanged, how many tears have been shed, and how many prayers have been offered. I’ve been blessed to work with great people, who I will always love and will carry their memory in my heart. I am humbled to know that you have allowed me to walk with you on this faith journey.
On November 30, 2017, I will end my 39 year career of being called, “Pastor Glen”. I will transition from being “a pastor”, to simply “a child of God”. Did I mention I have a granddaughter (just kidding) – being a full-time grandpa, husband and father will be different, but I know I will not be alone, as I will have hundreds of people cheering me on, as the next chapter of my life unfolds.
Please know that you are loved!
Pastor Glen
We know many of our seasonal members and visitors are not with us this time of year, as you enjoy your summer homes, so Pastor Glen's announcement was audio taped, which you can listen to here before his sermon.
Leave a Reply