In his first years of ministry, just after graduating from Luther Seminary, Paul Harrington had a recurring dream.<\/p>\n
“It was Sunday morning, and I had not a note on my pulpit, not a thought in my brain,” recalls Harrington. “And in the first three rows were seminary faculty with their notepads. I would wake up in a cold sweat.”<\/p>\n
Now Harrington has returned to Luther Seminary in an entirely different–and far less frightening–way: as interim campus pastor.<\/p>\n
“Just to come here and be a part of this community and bring what gifts I have to bear, this is such a bonus for me,” he says. “Plus all the relationships I’ve made here over the years, it’s a little bit like a homecoming 40 years delayed.”<\/p>\n
Harrington will serve the pastoral and worship needs of the community on a part-time basis through August. He also remains in part-time service at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, Minn.<\/p>\n
Harrington can’t recall a professor he didn’t like while a student at Luther but counts James Burtness, William Hulme and Alvin Rogness as major mentors in his life. He hopes to pass on that influence to today’s students by being a trusted confidant and role model. He also preaches in chapel and seeks to just be around for the community before and after daily services.<\/p>\n
“The comment (from those at Shepherd of the Valley) is, ‘What a great opportunity to have some influence on the church of tomorrow.’ And they’ll influence me in some way, too,” says Harrington. “It’s an honor to be called here to work.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In his first years of ministry, just after graduating from Luther Seminary, Paul Harrington had a recurring dream. “It was Sunday morning, and I had not a note on my pulpit, not a thought in my brain,” recalls Harrington. “And in the first three rows were seminary faculty with their notepads. I would wake up in a cold sweat.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3223,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-5733","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"issue-spring-summer-2010","8":"entry"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n