The Initials Tell the Story

by Professor Steven Pagels

Pastor Joel Leyrer and I served together at St. John’s from 1999 to 2012, which makes our partnership the longest in his ministry (that is, unless you count his marriage to Lorna). As a graduate fresh out of the seminary, I was uncomfortable addressing the senior pastor by his first name, and so I started using his initials instead. Almost twenty-five years later, he is still “JDL” in my cell phone contacts, and those three letters begin three words that capture what I remember about him.

JESUS. Pastor Leyrer was the one who introduced me to the saying, “You don’t know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.” I didn’t realize it at the time, but those words could also serve as the motto for his ministry. In public worship and private conversations, through the words he spoke and the way he lived, he proclaimed that Jesus is “the one thing needful” for this life and the life to come.

DEDICATION. Being the pastor of a large congregation is not easy. There are early mornings and late nights, long meetings and difficult decisions, and a to-do list that never seems to get done. With so much on his plate, Pastor Leyrer never complained about the demands of his calling. He embraced the challenges of every new day, and his example inspired me to do the same.

LEADER. Because he was surrounded and supported by so many gifted members, Pastor Leyrer recognized that he didn’t have to always take the lead. Instead of needing to be the person in charge, instead of seeking recognition for his accomplishments, he would prefer to be remembered as a humble servant and a faithful shepherd. And the best way the members of St. John’s can honor him is by honoring his wishes.

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

by Professor Kyle Bitter

What makes a great leader?

Society and culture would point to the charismatic person. One who is funny and comfortable on the big stage. One who is attractive and popular, a magnetic personality that draws other people in and makes them want to follow. Such characteristics can indeed be tremendous blessings from God for such individuals, but leadership as Jesus describes it is a bit simpler and does not require a specific personality.

In the upper room shortly before his death, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. In this unusual and unexpected step, Jesus exemplified leadership with his attitude of humble service to others. Going forward from there, he encouraged his people to lead in a similar way, no matter what particular mixture of gifts they have been given! In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described this counter-cultural approach with these words: “Blessed are the peacemakers . . .” and indeed, leaders with the gift of peacemaking do bring about great blessing!

Those affiliated with St. John’s have experienced such blessings of God for 25 years through the ministry of Pastor Joel Leyrer. Keeping the peace among 1,200 people with 1,200 opinions on what should be done is no small task!

“Blessed are the peacemakers.” These words stand as my strongest memory of serving with Pastor Leyrer for nine years. God blessed him with the ability to foster peace in so many ways.

What did this look like? I remember him getting along with a wide variety of personalities, putting aside his own personal preferences in pursuit of harmonious relationships with both co-workers and lay leaders, inserting little bits of humor at key moments when the tension was getting somewhat high, listening to the opinions and perspectives of others, and then—and only then—taking the lead by gently encouraging a path forward that may not always have been what anyone specifically wanted but was usually in the best interests of all.

Blessed are the peacemakers indeed, and thanks be to God for the blessings he brought to his church through the ministry of Pastor Leyrer. To God be the glory!