Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies

Pastor reinforces Forest Oaks

The 39-year-old pastor of a small church signs on to help the 70-year-old pastor of this Lutheran congregation.

SPRING HILL - After almost 20 years with a single pastor, Forest Oaks Lutheran Church recently called in reinforcements.

The congregation hired the Rev. Glenn Fischer as associate pastor to work alongside founding pastor, the Rev. Milton Lehr.

In Fischer, 39, Forest Oaks Lutheran found a candidate who filled all the prerequisites: He was young, had pastoral experience and was a family man, church leaders said.

A graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind., Fischer was pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Muscle Shoals, Ala., for 12 years. A little more than two weeks ago, Fischer moved to Spring Hill with his wife, Jocelyn, and three children, Annetta, 15, Amy, 12, and Andrew, 9.

The congregation also wanted someone who likes to work with youth and Sunday school age children and able to share pastoral duties in other areas of the church.

"He had to be able to help the pastor with preaching, special services like weddings and funerals, and community outreach and Christian education," Ellis said. "We are all looking forward to working with (Fischer) and to accomplish great things . . . for the Lord and Forest Oaks."

While Ellis and his fellow members see Fischer as a great fit, Fischer didn't always see himself in the role of a clergyman.

The Orlando native said he tried resisting God's call on his life. He painted houses, trimmed trees and worked at Disney.

"It seemed like the Lord said, "This is okay for now, but you have to get back to doing my work,' and eventually I said okay," said Fischer, the son and nephew of citrus growers and the grandson of Edward Fischer, who came to Florida in 1890 and was one of the state's first pastors in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church.

After seminary, Fischer was hired to lead Christ the King Lutheran a dozen years ago. At the time, the small-town Alabama congregation had 30 members. When he departed, membership had grown to 140.

But over the years, Muscle Shoals hit hard economic times, especially when Reynolds Aluminum, the town's major employer, shut down. With no jobs available, the residents who could retire did so and the younger ones moved to areas where they could find jobs.

With Fischer's move, his wife, Jocelyn, a schoolteacher for 11 years, is seeking employment with the Hernando County school system.

Fischer expects his life and ministry to change as he begins work at the significantly bigger 500-member Forest Oaks Lutheran.

"It's a challenge," he said, "but the people here have been very good and very helpful. Today, while unpacking boxes several people have stopped by and offered to help. I feel the Lord very definitely led us here."

As associate pastor, Fischer will assist 70-year-old Lehr, who has been pastor since Forest Oaks Lutheran Church began in 1984. After almost two decades at the helm, Lehr felt the time was right for an associate.

Some pastors stay with their congregation right up to retirement, while others have an assistant for a transition period before retirement, Lehr said.

"It can be smoother if the person called as an associate is one who is willing to invest his time in the years ahead, getting used to things," said Lehr, who says he isn't ready to retire. If and when he does, a successor would be in place.

"It's a good idea in the long range," he said. "I'm not sure how many years the Lord is willing to give me, but whatever happens, the congregation will be able to move on and not lose a step."

Fischer, meanwhile, is preparing for that step. What does he need to work on?

"Organization," he said. "I've never been the best organized person in the world."

He sees his strengths as his preaching, visitation and his open office policy. "There should be a pastor-congregant relationship."

Not to mention a pastor-associate relationship.

"There is still lots I can learn using pastor Lehr as a mentor," Fischer said. "I'm looking forward to his 40-plus years rubbing off on me and to continued growth and, with the Lord's blessing, get the word out into the community."