John Petersburg, who has served as the church administrator at Trinity Lutheran Church for over 20 years, has announced his retirement, to be effective at the congregational meeting in February of 2018.
As our administrator, John has overseen the congregation’s finances, staffing and personnel, and the building and grounds. As our congregation has grown, he has been responsible for creating administrative systems that have been able to grow to meet our expanding needs.
John’s work has been exemplary. He has the unique ability to think about the “big picture” in strategic planning, but also the ability to sit down one-on-one and provide support to a congregational member who is in need. His skills in financial planning have helped to create the strong foundation that Trinity now experiences.
John will be missed; not only for his work skills, but for his positive spirit and the way he works to support our staff in their ministry.
On a personal level, while I’m glad for John and his wife, Susan as they move into this new phase of their lives, I will miss him. I’m grateful for his wise counsel, his sense of humor and his friendship.
John also serves as a representative in the Minnesota House of Representatives. With his increasing seniority and responsibilities, he will now be able to give more of his time and attention to his work representing the people of our district.
Trinity’s Personnel Commission is already working to assess the needs of the congregation and the staff. Any time a staff member in a significant role departs, it gives the congregation the opportunity to evaluate our current organizational structures and see if there are different ways of doing our work that might better serve our mission.
We will keep the congregation “in the loop” as our planning moves forward.
There will be a celebration of John’s ministry at Trinity this winter, near the date of John’s official retirement. More information on this will be coming as soon as it is finalized. In the meantime, please join me in thanking and congratulating John on his ministry and his retirement. And please keep John, Susan and their family in your prayers, as well as Trinity’s leadership as we work to ensure that this vital role is filled well and that we can continue growing in God’s mission to our community and the world.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 507.451.4520, or at toddb@tlcowatonna.org.
God’s blessings!
Pastor Todd
Test Driving Theology 
Bonnie and I plan on being at John’s retirement party at the Country Club. Tom and Bonnie Crosbie