By Mike Urban, Reading Eagle

[Ed. Note: This article is excerpted from one that appeared in the September 20 Reading Eagle. It is used by permission.]

The Lutheran congregation of Jerusalem Red Church had come to a crossroads.

More than 250 years after parishioners first gathered in a log cabin, the union church in Kempton could not find a part-time Lutheran pastor.

Part of the problem was a regional shortage of Lutheran pastors.

And since the congregation’s membership had dwindled below 60, it couldn’t afford a pastor anyway.

Some members feared their church was nearing extinction.

But the congregation found its salvation through the synodically authorized ministry program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Synodically authorized ministers
In recent years the ELCA — like other mainstream denominations — has had a tough time replacing pastors and priests who retired or died.

For about 20 years there were fewer young people entering the ordained ministry. That meant more older pastors who would require replacement more quickly. Available pastors were usually called to larger churches.

To help fill the gap at smaller churches, the ELCA began training laypersons to be lay ministers in a congregation. About 10 of the 293 congregations in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod are now served by synodically authorized lay ministers (SALMs).

Though they are not ordained, SALMs perform many of the same functions as those who are. They lead services, deliver sermons, preside over weddings and funerals and visit home-bound parishioners.

“They do almost everything but give counseling,” said the Rev. Catherine Ziel, executive associate of the bishop.

Synodically authorized ministers are not as well trained as ordained ministers, but most are skilled at leading their congregations, Pastor Ziel said.

That makes them a good alternative for churches with shrinking memberships and budgets, she said.

Call to ministry
The synodically authorized lay minister serving Jerusalem Red’s Lutheran congregation is 53-year-old music teacher Robert J. Billig Jr., who long had felt the call to ministry but never had the time to attend the seminary full time.

Mr. Billig, of South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, completed his training in 2003 and was assigned to replace the congregation’s supply pastors.

Parishioners agree that in the last two years he has helped stabilize the congregation, which shares its church with a United Church of Christ congregation.

The Lutheran congregation’s Sunday attendance has increased slightly and the church programs have expanded since Mr. Billig came, pointed out life-long member Dennis J. Schroeder, 57, of Kutztown.

“Having our own minister will help our future,” Mr. Schroeder said. “He’s doing very well. We’re very happy to have him.”

A blessing
Bob Billig continues to work as both teacher and preacher and his schedule can be hectic, but his first two years at Jerusalem Red have otherwise gone smoothly, he said.

"In the pulpit I’m often teaching lessons, so my work in education has helped prepare me,” he said. “There is no substitute for full ordination, but the parishioners are happy with the work I’m doing. They tell me they’re very thankful to have me.”

Mr. Billig feels blessed to have his second career, and the congregation he leads.

“ It’s just an unbelievable experience,” he said. “I don’t ever want to leave.”