We have prayed. Our prayers have been heard and answered! Welcome new senior Pastor Tim Knauff (and family) to Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso,IN
Pastor Knauff was ordained in 2003 and has served a "3-point" parish in northern Wisconsin, and since 2007, Holy Trinity in South Bend.
He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from DePauw University, a Master of Science degree in computer science from the University of Illinois, and a Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Before attending seminary and becoming a pastor, he worked as a computer consultant at a Chicago company.
As a pastor, he has completed significant continuing education, including two years in the Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program, which culminated in a study trip to South Africa. Pastor Knauff is also trained as a Stephen Leader and is a "champion of shared caring ministries." He has served on the Indiana-Kentucky Synod Council and has been a voting member at the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Among his "areas of expertise" in ministry, Pastor Knauff identifies preaching, worship leadership, evangelism, ministry in daily life, and pastoral care and visitation. He writes, "I deeply love liturgy and leading worship. I consider preaching to be a primary task of a pastor, and preparing sermons is an important spiritual discipline in my faith life. . . . I enjoy challenging myself to incorporate media and other forms of illustration into my preaching. I am inspired by worship in many styles, and have planned, participated in, led, and felt the Spirit in: formal high-church liturgy, low-church liturgy, informal, 'contemporary,' bluegrass/country, praise, ecumenical, blended, and more."
Pastor Knauff identifies "areas of strength" which include teaching, building a sense of community, youth and family ministry, and communications/media. He is also a gifted musician.
Pastor Knauff is committed to "shared leadership of the ministry," including both laity and ordained individuals. In his profile he writes, "I would thrive in a community interested in a Pastor as a partner in ministry, equipping and empowering and nurturing the leadership and ministry gifts of the congregation." He describes himself as a "highly collaborative leader, who is comfortable leading from the front and encouraging from the midst." Pastor Knauff uses language of "fellow servant" in describing his role within a congregation.
Pastor Knauff speaks of the two-fold mission of the Church: growing in faith, and serving in the world. He is eager to work with people of all ages at Christ Lutheran Church in faith formation opportunities and is excited about serving a congregation with a preschool. Pastor Knauff's commitment to social ministry and mission is evident in this statement from his profile: "I have a great deal of energy and passion for leading communities and fellow Christians to see and embrace God's mission to seek out the hurting, feed the hungry, care for the poor, embrace the disabled."
Pastor Knauff speaks often of seeking to discern and be a part of "what God is up to" in the world. Pastor Knauff has accepted the call to serve and serve with the people of Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, IN. We look forward to having him, his wife, Amy, and their three sons join our faith community.
The Service of Installation is scheduled for 3:00 pm on Sunday, June 23, at Christ Lutheran on 2610 N. Campbell Street, across from Valparaiso High School. All are welcome.