10 Things You Should Know About Your Pastor

     On November 11th, 300 voting members of Christ Memorial Lutheran Church called their third Senior Pastor, Rev. Jeff Cloeter.  Mindful that Jesus is THE Senior Pastor of the church, I have accepted this call.

     I follow a man who leaves a 37-year tenure of mission-centered pastoral leadership.  Mindful this legacy, I know that I have lots of work to do.  Before I embark in this role, here are ten things you should know about your next senior pastor.  For readers who aren't members of my congregation, well . . . I'll let you in on this too.  

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10 Things You Should Know About Your Next Senior Pastor

Pastor Jeff Cloeter is:

1.       A Fellow Sinner:  I am in need of the same grace that I preach.  Are pastors perfect?  Ask our wives.  They’ll tell        you the truth. 

2.       A Husband and Father:  I married my wife before I became a pastor.  Next to God, my bride is the highest priority.  I will sacrifice a lot for my congregation, but not my family. 

3.       A Younger Man:  While I am older than I look, I’m relatively young for a pastor in this position.  I was born on the seam between Generation X and the Millennial Generation.  I have a love for all generations, a passion for bringing generations together, and a desire to raise up new generations to be the church.

4.       A Man Who Will Let You Down:  I am incapable of pleasing everyone in a church our size.  I can’t fulfil every expectation or fit everyone’s mold.  And I will mess up sometimes.  I just want to prepare you. 

5.       An Introvert:  I love people.  That said, I need quiet time to reenergize.  And I will never have the relational capacity of Pastor Greg.  Is there anyone in St. Louis he doesn’t know?!

6.       An Outsider Who has Made STL Home:  When people ask me the “St. Louis question,” I confound them with the answer, “Sauk Rapids High School.”  I bring non-native eyes to our community.  At the same time, my family has made St. Louis home for the last 8 years and we love it.  Go Cards!

7.      A Pastor Who Cares About You:  I love my congregation.  Really. 

8.       A Pastor Who Will Challenge You:  I will walk with you as you grow in Christ, speaking law and gospel.  Sometimes that may challenge you (and you may not like me some days).  I don’t want things from you.  I want the best for you.  All in Christ.   

9.       A Missionary Pastor:  Honoring the missional leadership of Pastor Greg Smith, I will lead our mission with the words Loved and Sent.   Get ready to be sent to more places and more people. 

10.     A Pastor Excited About the Future:  We face many challenges and we have lots of work to do.  But we have a phenomenal Christian community ready to march on.  I am honored to be your pastor, and excited about what God will do with us.