Eastern North Dakota Synod

2008 Synod Assembly

Philip L. Larson

Philip L. Larson
Date of Ordination: July 24, 1983

Current Position: Pastor - Bethany Homes, Fargo, ND

Congregation of Membership: Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN

Previous Positions:

Pastor - Page/Ayr Lutheran Parish - Page, ND, 1983-1989
Pastor - Big Canoe/Highland Lutheran Parish - rural Decorah, IA, 1989-1990
Supervisor of Pastoral Care, St. Joseph's Hospital - Minot, ND, 1987-90
Pastor - Norman/Davenport Lutheran Parish - Kindred, ND, 1990-1999

Education:

BA in Bus. Admin/Accounting - Concordia College, Moorhead, MN (1975-1978)
M. Div. - Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN (1979-1983)

Current and Past Board, Committee, and Community Involvement:
(Outside of Congregational Responsibility)

Kindred Lions Club, Dollars For Scholars Board- Kindred, Kindred Area Ministerial Group, LCRC Board (Lutheran Camping for Disabled/Challenged Citizens) of North Dakota, Conference representative to Concordia College, Eastern ND Ministry to the Aging Board

How do you debscribe yourself theologically?

I seek to have my theology shaped by God’s Holy Word and the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. In these gifts, shaped by our Lutheran Confessions, I believe we see and hear God most clearly through the words and works of Jesus Christ, the Savior sent by God for all people. The Holy Spirit continues to work through these means of grace to give life and renewal and sustenance and sufficient grace to God’s people, and to reach out to those who have not come to a faith relationship with the Triune God.

As we come before our Lord in worship we are renewed in the forgiveness of sins, life rooted in Christ Jesus the Lord, and salvation anchored in the crucified and risen Jesus Christ. God continues to guide and strengthen the Church that it may send forth the gifts of our Lord for the living of our days and in a hope that is solid and sure.

What gifts do you believe you would bring to the office of the bishop in the Eastern North Dakota Synod?

I give thanks that God has called me and allowed me to be a pastor within our ELCA. Those gracious gifts which God has granted me over these past 25 years of ordination would likely be those things which would shape me in the office of bishop. I have strong desire to preach and teach the Gospel for all people, to listen to the voices of the Church, which is its people, and to invoke the Holy Spirit to create and work and inspire people in Christ's name for the sake of the whole Church and its mission and purpose in the world.

What is your concept of the primary roles of a synodical bishop in the Eastern North Dakota Synod?

I believe the main role of a bishop is to be a pastor to the Church, its pastors and congregations. To me, the bishop oversees the synod and its activities and goings on, exercises pastoral concern among the pastors and the congregations, and provides a voice to the larger Church and the agencies of the Church within the synod and beyond. Ideally the bishop works to encourage the congregations of the synod to tend faithfully to their own affairs as well as to needs and concerns of the whole Church and the world.

What are the key skills required of the bishop in the Eastern North Dakota Synod?

It seems so important to carefully listen to the people of the synod and to the events that take place throughout the Eastern ND synod. To function effectively there needs to be a basic order in the synod, thus administration becomes quite important. I would believe it also important that the bishop remains involved in word and sacrament ministry, since that is so basic and vital to our life as Lutheran believers. Personally, the regular and persistent invoking of the Holy Spirit would be very important in that position as it is for every pastor.

How do you practice care of other and yourself?

Though I highly value the Church and the Call of the pastor, my family is the greatest gift that God has given to me. My wife, Melissa, and I enjoy times of reading and crossword puzzles, walks with our Golden Retriever and outings together. I try to get regular exercise by using our Airdyne or riding bike. I’ve always enjoyed some golfing and I enjoy doing the more simple, regular maintenance things with our cars. I like watching a good Twins game or some football on TV. Our son, Hans, is a funeral director in Perham, MN and daughter, Anna, is a senior at Concordia College in Moorhead in Elementary Education, and plans to be married in December. We always value time with both of them.

Undergirding all the good things in daily life, a regular devotional life-listening to and calling upon the voice of God - has always been important and necessary in my own life as a pastor and a child of God.