Our Ministry Together
Internship Assignment: Andrew Lundborg
God is at work, growing the ministry of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Beginning next September, our staff will be strengthened by the addition of an Intern Pastor. This person will be involved in all facets of the office of the Pastor and will join me as a full time minister of Word and Sacrament.
As you may know, a team, including Herb Roettger (vice president of the congregation) and Tom Okerstrom (chair of the youth and family ministry committee), and me went to Luther Seminary to interview seven candidates. Three candidates were chosen as excellent possibilities for our setting. St. Paul Lutheran was blessed to be assigned a student who was given a number one rating by our interview team.
Andrew Lundborg, of Woodbury, will begin his internship assignment with us on September 2nd. His year at St. Paul Lutheran will continue through the end of August, 2009. Andrew grew up at Hosanna Lutheran in Forest Lake and graduated from St. Olaf College in 2002, with a degree in psychology. He met his wife Molly at St. Olaf, and they were married in 2005. Molly is a nurse in labor and delivery at Hudson hospital.
Andrew has actually worked with me before as a contextual education student at Lutheran Church of Peace in Maplewood (where he and Molly currently are members) so I know a bit about him. As an intern supervisor of 10 previous interns (student pastors), I can see that Andrew is very well-prepared to serve and learn in the parish setting. He has good skills and a heart for ministry. He is articulate, very personable, has a good sense of humor, and has an easy ability to connect with people of all ages. Knowing his theology (with a strong sense of the centrality of grace) and respecting his abilities and his values for serving in the pastoral office, I know we will work well together. He has been involved with teaching confirmation and is especially gifted as one who connects well with youth. He has led an adult study session and has participated in worship leadership, and has served on the Social Action Committee. He has also been involved in the “ending poverty initiative” for the Saint Paul Area Synod. His vocational experience before attending seminary included a time of working for the Fairview University Hospital system in the mental health and chemical dependency units.
With a love for the outdoors, Andrew particularly enjoys all types of skiing. He also participated in varsity wrestling, football, and track at Forest Lake High School, and always felt especially competitive against the Stillwater Ponies.
Andrew expressed his “deep appreciation for the opportunity provided by St. Paul Lutheran to be involved in ministry.” He is excited to both learn and serve. I look forward to a good partnership and am especially confident that we will have a good year of shared ministry together.
In Christ, Pastor Mark Becker
