Amor pastor featured in several OTC newspapers

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

Being successful in attracting a pastor to a church in a rural area is challenging these days. Such was the case for Zion Lutheran Church of Amor whose story by this writer ran in all seven newspapers in Otter Tail County.

Included were newspapers in Battle Lake, Perham, New York Mills, Henning, Pelican Rapids, Fergus Falls and Parkers Prairie.

Pastor Mathiason was installed as pastor at Zion Lutheran in January 2025. He previously served as associate pastor in Staples which included serving at a church in nearby Cushing, southeast of Staples. In Amor he replaced retired Pastor James Gronbeck, Henning native who continues to reside at Twin Lakes in Otter Tail County. 

The Zion Lutheran Church of Amor Call Committee worked with the synod office during the call process. Zion Call Committee members Dean Greenwaldt and Ann Gibbs were well aware of the pastor shortages.

“We realized that many pastors prefer larger communities with more opportunities,” Greenwaldt said. “Changing schools for their children, careers for spouses of pastors and housing availability and affordability are all challenges to overcome. Also important are allotted time for vacations and having learning opportunities.”

Gibbs said the Call Committee surveyed the congregation and compiled the information. 

“This provided the basis of showing what we can offer a pastor as a place where we value a person’s faith, growing our sense of community and how we encourage our pastor’s professional development,” she said.

Residing in Perham are Pastor Mathiason and his wife, Erin Bovendam, with their two sons, Henry and Ben. Erin serves as lead pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church in Perham. They met at Luther Seminary in St. Paul.