Alumni/ae

Nathan Loer

“The nature of small-town ministry lies in the fact that I am the pastor 24/7” says Nathan Loer, one year after graduating from Luther Seminary. Loer is the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Browerville, Minn.; “a small congregation in a small town of 700+ in central Minnesota.” He continues, “I am an identifiable friend and confidant, whom people can approach and converse with in the confidence that I offer an empathetic ear and a strong word of hope.”

As the only full-time staff member at Zion, Loer delights in the variety of his work week. “The interesting thing about my job is that I never really know what I'll be doing from day to day,” he says. “Of course, each week there is a sermon to write, worship to plan, a bulletin to lay out, and a confirmation lesson to prepare and teach. But my ministry is often shaped by who is on the other end of the line when the phone rings or who happens to be in the post office or at the hardware store when I walk in.”

Though Loer clearly enjoys his calling, the job “is frustrating work at times, and I would surely have quit 20 times by now if I didn't feel genuinely called to listen to people's stories, to live with them in their community, to share with them in their joys and sorrows and re-cast their tales in light of the cross of Jesus Christ.”

Loer explains that his call to ministry “evolved over time and emerged from continued exposure to opportunities to be a spiritual leader. Consequently, my ministry focuses on providing people with opportunities to explore their faith story and share it with others as they are comfortable.”  He adds, “I want people to see that they can answer the question, 'So how does God make any difference in my life?” in words that make sense to others...But most of all, I want them to feel a sense of call to be witnesses in their daily lives to the power of God—whether they are changing diapers or tires or just making change at a concession stand.”

Loer is grateful to Luther Seminary church history professor James Nestingen and professor emeritus Gerhard Forde for “teaching me the gospel of Jesus Christ as truly good news,” and to systematics professor Steven Paulson for “the way he provided me with such a firm theological foundation.” Loer credits professor emeritus Bill Smith for outstanding mentoring and for teaching him “the value of being a pastor;” and systematics professor Pat Keifert for giving him “tremendous confidence in my ability to both communicate and teach complex theological concepts to intelligent people like farmers, teachers, plumbers and electricians who hadn't studied theology, but thought about God often.” Loer also continues to draw on the friendships he formed with his peers at seminary, commenting, “The colleagues I met there remain a source of strength and friendship.”

One year later, Loer is busy offering “a word of encouragement, support and love that will be significant for the moment. They won't remember my name ... but if in the moment I am with them they feel important and loved, I've done my job.”