Meet LCMC's New Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry

By Steve Lien - LCMC - November 25, 2013 3 Comments

Dear Friends in Christ,

I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry in LCMC!

I was born in southern Minnesota and was raised in Staten Island, New York. I finished high school, college and seminary in Minnesota.

Along the way I attended Lutheran Bible Institute (LBI) in Seattle, Washington; toured with a Youth For Christ International singing team in southeast Asia and the U.S.; and finally landed in Watertown, South Dakota, for my first call as a pastor. Since then, I’ve served congregations—large and small—in South Dakota, Texas, Iowa and California.

I am passionate about serving Christ, loving my family, and being a faithful husband, father, and grandfather. I met my wife, Joanne, when I was“ the pastor’s kid” in New York. The Arthur Hall family, who were serving as medical missionaries in South Africa, came to visit the congregation my father served. The Lien and Hall families became friends, and many years later—after getting acquainted as adults at LBI and again at Augsburg College—Joanne and I were married in 1975.

Joanne is a Registered Nurse who has served most of her career in long-term and hospice care. She recently resigned as Director of Patient Care Services at Hospice Partners of Southern California, based in Santa Monica.

Joanne and I have three grown and married children and are the proud grandparents of seven (soon to be eight!) grandchildren.

I’m told that I’m energetic, often comical, and certainly out-of-the-box! I love telling people about a God who relentlessly loves, forgives and embraces His children.

Some of the very best and most fulfilling years of my life have been spent in ordained ministry—and some of the most painful and challenging years as well. Through it all God has proved faithful, sustained me, taught and tempered me and continued to use me in others’ lives.

I’m absolutely thrilled and humbly grateful about the opportunity to share what I’ve learned and what I’m learning through serving God by serving congregations and pastors throughout LCMC. I look forward to meeting many of you in the years to come!

Yours in Christ,
Steve

Pr. Steve Lien will begin his new position as LCMC's Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry in January 2014.

Author

Steve Lien

Steve Lien doesn’t like to think before he speaks; he likes to be just as surprised as everyone else by what comes out of his mouth! He loves to “coordinate” pastoral ministry by assisting pastors and seminarians who want to join LCMC and congregations and pastors in call or transition, kind of like herding cats or pushing wet noodles. Steve did a couple stints of consultant training with Bill Easum, author of “Sacred Cows Make Gourmet Burgers,” learning how to make gourmet burgers. He hopes and prays that God’s Spirit continues to move the people and leaders of LCMC to get out of the boat and walk on water into the future of missional opportunity that God is opening up.

Comments (3)

Thomas Corbell
Are there specific about the new Pastoral Care position? Will he be working with individual pastors, conflict management etc.
November 27, 2013 at 7:32pm
Frank Remski
I personally know Pastor Steve and have attended his services at Ascention Lutheran in Rancho Palos Verdes. He brings a smile to your face just by meeting him. Pastor Steve is one of the pastors that makes you feel good that you at church and in his presense. When his sermons are done, you wish there was more. Pastor Steve is going to be a welcome addition to the staff at LCMC. We pray God's blessing on his new challenge.
November 29, 2013 at 4:42pm
Christopher Byars
Welcome! I look forward to getting to know you!
November 30, 2013 at 7:37pm

Meet LCMC's New Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry