Lutheran pastor uses Fig Tree stories as sermon examples

The Rev. Darrel Lundby shares his skills with The Fig Tree.

Darrel Lundby, a retired Lutheran pastor who settled in Spokane in 2008, first appreciated The Fig Tree’s ministry when he was a pastor in Portland, Ore.  He joined its board in 2012.

“As a pastor, I’ve been grateful that The Fig Tree stories poignantly illustrate the Gospel.  As I have shared stories in congregations, it has enriched, empowered and inspired members to live their faith.

“The Fig Tree tells powerful, life-changing stories of people acting out their faith by making a difference in the community, region and world.  It tells stories of people advocating for peace, justice, unity, reconciliation and health in a world where we are so inundated with media that shouts stories of violence, war, conflict and greed,” he said.

“It is a positive alternative, sharing stories of hope and promise that inspire the larger community to think in terms of healing and hope, so we are not overcome by sensational media that tends to overwhelm us with hopelessness and despair,” Darrel said.

When he served congregations, he used Fig Tree stories in sermons, in community and leadership meetings, to show how members could extend and expand their witness. 

“Examples shared in The Fig Tree are activities a church could initiate or participate in,” he said.

After graduating in sociology and philosophy in 1958 at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., he worked four years there in public relations and communication.

After graduating from Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., in 1967, he was an intern to Holden Village.  He stayed to do public relations.  In 1968, he traveled around the world as an ambassador for Holden, visiting retreat sites in Europe, connecting with the World Council of Churches in Geneva and visiting Lutheran missions in Africa, Asia and Australia.

“That experience was pivotal in my life, faith and worldview,” Darrel said, “strengthening my awareness of the power of people’s stories to change others.”

After marrying Joanna in 1969 and doing a year of clinical pastoral education in Chicago, he returned to Holden as pastor and development director.  He was ordained there in 1970 by American Lutheran Church bishops who were on a retreat. 

Darrel was pastor of Holden’s new congregation for more than three years.  Then he served a church in Seattle for five years and one in Portland for 10 years.  He first saw The Fig Tree while volunteering with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO).

“EMO was interested in ways to identify ministries and tell the stories of the church,” he said.  “I also realized the power of networking and drawing churches and interfaith congregations together.”

In 1988, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America formed.  Darrel served as assistant to Oregon’s bishop until he retired in 2001.  He did interim ministry in Portland until Bishop Martin Wells of the Eastern Washington Idaho Synod in Spokane called him to be his assistant in 2004.

From then until 2008, he also served 15 interim ministries in Oregon, Washington and Montana.

When he came to Spokane, he encountered The Fig Tree again.

“There was no parallel organization to EMO. The Fig Tree was an ecumenical expression that grew out of an ecumenical ministry,” he said.

In and out of Spokane while serving as  an interim pastor in different places, he and Joanna bought a house in 2008.  As they became residents, The Fig Tree emerged as a major interest, and he joined the board two years ago.

Darrel has been active both in planning the benefit events and the anniversary dinner, and in using his fund-raising and development skills with the development/finance committee.

Copyright © June 2014 - The Fig Tree