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
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Our prayers have been heard and answered!
Welcome new senior Pastor Tim Knauff (and family) to Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso,IN
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Senior
Pastor Timothy L. Knauff, Jr.
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.
