but he took a bunch to hear Baptist Ed Stetzer.
Staff minister Chad White went along, too.
Vicar Tiefel probably went,
but we won't know for sure until there is an official denial.
Patterson is filling the synod with Church and Change vicars. He gets a special grant from WELS, so the vicars do not cost. Look at the list, from the website:
The Lord has provided faithful shepherds to guide and teach his Holy Word lambs: pastors James Radloff (1970-84), Silas Krueger (1985-88), Bruce Bitter (1988-91), Larry Ellenberger (1997-98), Harold Johne (1998-2001), and Donald Patterson (1992-present); and vicars Todd Engel (1994), Michael Geiger (1995-96), Nathan Buege (2000-2001), Caleb Schoeneck (2001-02), Robert Guenther (2002-03), Steven Prahl (2003-04), and Andy Mueller.
Andy Mueller is the son of Wayne, very active in Church and Change.
Nathan Buege is in Texas. Tim Felt-Needs loves his church.
Caleb Schoeneck is in Texas.
Patterson has let a woman teach a "co-ed" Bible study. He allows a youth female to deliver the children's sermon. He is on the Church and Change most-loved list as he was the synod convention Bible study leader at the '04 convention.
"Patterson has a regular factory of vicar clones going. And he gets 'em for free (under the cloak of vicar in mission setting grants)." WELS observer
FIC, the official magazine of Church and Change, says:
Meet the editorial staff—uncut: Don Patterson
Ever ask yourself, “Who are these people who write for Forward in Christ magazine? Through this series you can find out. Read on:
If you regularly read Forward in Christ, you probably already know quite a bit about contributing editor Don Patterson, because he frequently peppers his writing with real-life experiences. Past articles reveal that Patterson has four sons, he once tried riding a bronco at a high school rodeo, playing Candy Land bores him (but he plays it anyway because he loves his sons), he lives in Texas, and he can’t read music.
Meeting Patterson in person reveals more of the same—a friendly man with a southern drawl who loves his family and loves his Lord. Born and raised in Garland, Texas, Patterson now serves as a pastor at Holy Word, Austin. He and his wife, Mary, are both active in sharing their faith with others. They have presented at many marriage and family retreats across the United States. Last year, they even presented in Sweden to members of our sister church body. In January, the couple helped build houses as part of WELS’ relief efforts in hurricane-ravaged Grenada.
Patterson credits his parents for inspiring him to serve in the public ministry: “Their absolute love for God’s Word and the church taught me that the ministry of Jesus’ gospel to his people is the best way to spend my life.”
Yet Patterson didn’t take the traditional route to the pulpit. First he graduated from East Texas State University with a degree in Agricultural Education. While there, he started thinking about using his life to share the gospel full time. So he then attended Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minn., for two years to prepare him for his studies at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis. In 1992, Patterson graduated from the seminary and was called to serve Holy Word.
Want to know more about Don Patterson? Just keep reading Forward in Christ.
South Central District - Election results:
President: Rev. Vilas Glaeske
First Vice President: Rev. Donald Patterson
Second Vice President: Rev. Mark Bitter
Secretary: Rev. Christopher Goelzer
