Position: Pastor

Position Overview:

We are seeking an outgoing and uplifting pastor to lead our traditional Lutheran congregations, St. Paul and St. James. The ideal candidate will engage the youth, grow our church, and maintain a Bible-based focus that continues to educate our congregation and positively influences our children amidst societal changes.

About our churches:
The Lutheran churches of St. James New Wehdem and St. Paul Phillipsburg have chosen to unite in ministry together. For churches that are less than 5 miles apart, this partnership has provided us with the gifts of new relationships in faith and new energy for our work in the community. We expect the Pastor to provide spiritual leadership and pastoral care to both congregations during this period of transition, having just left the ELCA.

This role will involve guiding the church through significant changes while maintaining its spiritual health and community engagement.

Nestled among the rolling hills in the heart of bluebonnet country, Brenham, and the nearby Phillipsburg and New Wehdem communities, offer a tranquil, peaceful lifestyle driven by the rural, family-oriented values of the area. Each church symbolizes the generational commitment to faith held dear by the members of the communities it serves.

St. Paul Lutheran Church, established in 1890 by the residents of Phillipsburg, holds a rich history. That same year, Henry Stern generously deeded eight acres of land for the construction of a church and school, along with an additional acre for a cemetery. The cemetery is listed in the Historical Marker Database, with the first burial being the infant son of Mr.

and Mrs. Carl Engeling in 1890. The church building itself was constructed in 1901, marking a significant milestone for the community. By 1921, St. Paul Lutheran Church had become an integral part of the Texas Lutheran Synod. Over the years, the church has not only served as a place of worship but also as a community hub, hosting various events and activities that have strengthened the bonds among its members.

St. Paul has seen several updates including a full kitchen renovation in 2022, a memorial concrete driveway in 2023, and a parsonage remodel refresh in 2024.

St. James Lutheran Church, founded in 1869 by German immigrants from Wehdem, Germany, has also had a long-standing presence in New Wehdem. The church recently celebrated its 155th anniversary. The current church building, which includes a two-manual pipe organ and all furnishings, was completed in 1917. The construction of the new church was approved in February 1916, at a total cost of $85,000.

The Cemetery was dedicated as a Texas Historical Site by the Texas Historical Commission in 2024. St. James's fellowship center was renovated in 2005, and a cemetery pavilion was built in 2024.

In 1988, both congregations joined the ELCA. In January 2018, the Lutheran churches of St. James New Wehdem and St. Paul Phillipsburg chose to unite together in ministry. This partnership has given us the gifts of new relationships in faith and renewed energy for our work in the world. Both churches worship independently and maintain their own budgets and leadership councils, but our goal is to be stronger together in our outward ministry.

In 2024, after prayerful consideration of the values and practices of the ELCA, each congregation voted to leave the organization and affiliate with both the NALC and the LCMC.

The congregational demographics reflect a trend seen across the country, with a large percentage of aging members. There has been a recent increase in new members since leaving the ELCA. The congregations are proud to host bi-weekly Sunday School sessions and an annual Vacation Bible School during the summer that serves more than 50 children each July. St. James has a slightly younger and more diverse congregation.

Both churches are located on the border of Austin and Washington County, drawing members from larger areas across these counties. Many members are also involved in other community organizations, which helps in growing the church. Several families have multigenerational ties to the churches. The following link highlights our churches:  )

We pray for a pastor with strong leadership and communication skills. One that would engage and inspire youth and adults with a strong commitment to LCMC / NALC Statement of Faith. We look for experience in organizing and leading various church activities and events,…