On Sunday, Sept. 18, Betty Barsness, President of the Congregation, presented the Rev. Paul Manning, to Synod Pastor, the Rev. Stephen Cook, Associate Pastor, the Rev. Krista Lee, and the Congregation of Glenwood Lutheran, for Installation as Lead Pastor. He was addressed by members of the congregation, Breanna Sherlin, Youth Board, Deacon Frank Evertz, Amber Braaten, Board of Education, Gordon Amble, Cheri Panizke and Owen Armstrong. The day started with a “meet and greet” coffee for the pastor and his wife, prior to worship, and ended with a reception luncheon in the church’s fellowship hall.

It’s been approximately 18 years since Glenwood Lutheran Church installed a new Lead Pastor. Pastor Manning will shepherd the growing congregation of over 1,700 members, with Associate Pastor, Rev. Krista Lee. Glenwood Lutheran Church is a congregation of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), located in the Southwest Minnesota Synod.

When asked about his new position he told us, “I am excited by the level of enthusiasm and involvement the people of Glenwood Lutheran Church show, not only for their church, but for their community. They see that this church is not only a place that people see and come to, but a place that people go from, out to the community and area. We may be two blocks from the ‘main intersection’ downtown, but our leaders see our ministry as the intersection of their religious, social and community lives in Glenwood and the surrounding area.”

Pastor Manning grew up in Fergus Falls. He holds a Master of Divinity from Luther Northwestern Seminary, and his Doctorate of Ministry in Biblical Preaching, from Luther Seminary, St. Paul. He has 32 years of parish experience, beginning in Wisconsin, and lastly served in Breckenridge and then Granite Falls. 

His is joined at the GLC parsonage by his wife, Joyce (Forbord), who was born and raised south of Starbuck, and who currently is employed as a choral music educator in Wilmar Middle School; they have four grown children. When asked about himself he noted that six of the eight members of his immediate family attended Concordia College, in Moorhead. He also noted that he has been a competitive, and now recreational, endurance athlete for 45 years. 

Pastor Manning added, “I hope to meet many people in our church, but I hope to meet even more outside of our church: at sporting events, in restaurants, at their businesses, in their homes, and as we enjoy this incredible recreational area beside Lake Minnewaska.” Welcome Pastor Mark and Joyce Manning to the Glenwood area community!