Staff - Minister of Worship Kristen Koepsell.
As Staff Minister of Worship, Kristen is responsible for planning and implementing all worship opportunities at St. Andrew. She also oversees the large corps of worship volunteers who serve in many and varied capacities each week. Music is the largest part of the worship ministry at St. Andrew, but the worship ministry also includes lay readers, dramatic and visual arts, hospitality ministries and audio/visual tech support. Kristen works closely with Pastor Hunter to study and understand biblical worship principles and practices, evaluate current worship practices at St. Andrew, and define future directions for St. Andrew’s worship ministry.
Kristen graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2003 with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Communication and Theology. While at WLC she worked for two years in the Campus Ministry Office planning and implementing daily chapel services, organizing various musical groups for worship, and learning from Campus Pastor Nathan Strobel. She is currently pursuing Staff Ministry certification from Martin Luther College.
Kristen grew up in the Pacific Northwest and always intended to return there after college, but God had other plans for her. He has planted her firmly in the family of faith at St. Andrew and for this she is truly and deeply grateful. When she’s not writing services or running rehearsals, Kristen spends her time reading science fiction and classic literature, playing piano, writing music, taking long walks in good weather, staying connected with friends and family, and generally enjoying life.
“The best part of my job is knowing that my work directly impacts the spiritual lives of those who worship here and enables them to connect with God. I say this with a full and complete understanding (and appreciation!) of the fact that the actual work is done by the Holy Spirit through the means of grace – but it is a great privilege and a great joy to be an instrument in ‘administering God’s grace’ in the form of worship gatherings. The second most rewarding aspect of my work is assisting all sorts of members of the congregation in bringing their gifts to God and to each other as joyful offerings. How exciting it is to see brothers and sisters in Christ – of all ages! – learning and working together to serve God and His people. The interpersonal connections made and the spiritual lessons learned through this ministry are invaluable blessings from our gracious God.”
The Minister of Worship can be contacted online.
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Check out this blog:
http://fromonewecanjudgetherest.blogspot.com/2009/02/movement-10-years-too-late.html
The blog links to the WELS Forward in Confusion article, and the FIC article links to the congregation's website.
I figure the blogger got the information from the WELS site, from Cascione's work, or from Ichabod. I often wonder to myself, "Do they have a circuit pastor in the area? A district pope?" I forgot - they are Doctrinal Pussycats. They have the power to remove a pastor at any time, but they never seem to muster the energy to do that with apostates, only with those who question Holy Mother WELS.
Give me a list of Church and Changers removed for doctrinal reasons and I will offer a list of their apostates promoted for doctrinal reasons.
The Latte Lutheran article was obviously published in FIC as another slap at conservatives and the Synod President. I am glad the Church and Chicaneries are coming out to fight.
The struggle will soon be over, because the money situation is unraveling fast. Someone appointed himself to demand $1 million cash from Northwestern Publishing House, to help save the jobs of Paul Kelm and Bruce Becker. If NPH does not pony up, the Synodical Council will grab it anyway, so the threat goes. You may mark this down as an Ichabod rumor or myth, but those C and C dudes are playing for keeps.
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Anonymouse has left a new comment on your post "Who Is the Next Woman Pastor in WELS?":
No, the WELS is not ordaining women. Kristen is not ordained. She claims to be an "instrument" in "administering God's grace." No different than than all the other people who are instruments in a worship service, like the organist and ushers.
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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Who Is the Next Woman Pastor in WELS?":
http://www.charis.wlc.edu/publications/charis_summer04/wendland.pdf
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GJ - Count up how many women ministers have been created under Larry Olson's program at Martin Lutheran College, which got renamed the WELS School of Ministry. WELS does not both to ordain women. Church and Chicanery will do that when they get their chance. For now they are setting up women pastors so they can study the issue later and approve it. John Brug is not against the ordination of women, so why should anyone object.
