About RevErik

RevErik is a combination of my official title, Reverend, and my name, Erik. Though I actually go by “Pastor Erik” more often, I like the sound of RevErik (like one word, reverik).

I am first and foremost a regular guy. Although I am a Pastor, it doesn’t make me any better than or more important than anyone else. And before I ever became a Pastor, I was very blessed to be the husband of an incredible wife and the father of three amazing children. Since 2011, I have also been blessed to pastor two amazing churches. I was first blessed to serve as the Administrative Pastor of a church and preschool in Southeast Michigan, and now I am blessed to serve as the Lead Pastor of a church, school and early childhood center in Saginaw, Michigan.

I have three degrees in theology, two graduate and one undergraduate. I was raised in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, but spent my early adulthood in nearly every Christian denomination (and non-denomination) before returning to the LCMS. I used to believe denomination didn’t matter, but while denomination is not a prerequisite for salvation, I now firmly believe that being taught the Truth matters far more than being  entertained or comfortable. Because I believe that the LCMS is the most faithful in its approach to biblical teaching (read it, believe it, then seek to understand it), I find my home here. Because I want others to hear God’s Truth and see its timeless Truth for themselves, I walk in this calling of Pastor.

In the past, I have half-jokingly called myself a “Renegade Lutheran Pastor.” I mean nothing more by this than that I am first and foremost a believer in Jesus Christ, the Word of God become flesh, as revealed to us by the power of God’s Holy Spirit through His written Word, the Bible. Unlike many of my colleagues, I have never been very interested in topics like which hymnal or what lectionary we should be using. I can worship with vestments, pulpits and pipe organs, just like I can worship with drums, blue jeans and banjos. In fact, I very much believe that faithful ministry and worship style are uniquely contextual to each congregation and the community within which it is called to serve: which presentation has the greatest positive effect on those who are there to hear the Gospel, and which will appeal most to those who aren’t there yet? These are the questions we should be asking ourselves as Pastors, rather than evaluating the actions of others within their contexts (Matthew 7:3).

I believe that humor, honesty and integrity are essential to being a pastor. I believe that real discipleship means being real, being yourself, and being thankful that you are forgiven in and by Jesus Christ, because you come as you are… but you don’t stay that way. That also means being more forgiving of others.

I have previously taught collegiate courses in philosophy and religion, worked in retail management, and dabbled in several other “odd jobs” along the way, all of which have contributed in some way to the man I am today. I love a good movie. I love most all kinds of music (have a listen to my playlist below while you read). I am a devoted fan of Detroit’s “Big Four” professional sports teams. I know a lot about a little and a little about a lot, and I live to make people laugh.