“Let it be acclaimed that Dr. Christopher Richmann is an ordained minister of word and sacrament in Christ’s church.”

I said this wonderful words on Sunday July 15th at historic St. John in Coryell City (Gatesville), TX. Dr. Richmann serves on the faculty of Baylor University as a professor of church history (his specialty is 20th century church history, particularly Pentecostalism). For the past 8 years he has also served as a Synodically Authorized Worship Leader (SAWL) at St. John. We were grateful to be able to get him approved for ordination through the ELCA and NT-NL processes and move forward with this celebration.  

This was the first of what will be 4 ordinations in the Summer of 2018. While ordinations are always special these four will be very special in that all four of the pastors being ordained were raised up by NT-NL for service in the NT-NL. All four took non-traditional roles to the ordination process, working with our candidacy committee, chaired by the Rev. Cheryl Gorvie (Bethany, Dallas) and staff member the Rev. Kris Totzke. It will be a joy to not only celebrate with these congregations but also to rejoice in the continued growth of a culture that expects to develop leaders for the church.

Wonderful morning with this historic congregation. We give thanks for 128 years of faithful ministry in Coryell City. We look forward to continued ministry seeking creative ways to partner and raise up leaders for the church. I also enjoyed getting to see and give a blessing to his 3 week old daughter. Abundant life in this HOT Conference community. #NTNL #StJohnCoryellCity #InMissionTogether — at St. John Lutheran Church.