The Lutheran Church of Madison Honors Their Pastor of 25 Years

On Sunday, February 15, 1998, the Rev. Volker S. Heide was installed as the new pastor of The Lutheran Church of Madison (LCM). Twenty-five years later, on Sunday, February 19, 2023, the church body honored their pastor, thanking him for his service to the congregation for the past 25 years. Following Sunday morning worship, Congregation President Jack Hagen expressed the members’ appreciation for the pastor’s continued faithful commitment and guidance, which was seconded by a rousing round of applause. Vice President Werner Schirmer then presented Pastor Heide and his wife with the parish’s thank you gift of a trip to Germany, focused on where Martin Luther walked, taught, and preached. Everyone then celebrated together at a traditional Pot Luck Luncheon.

Pastor Heide is only the third called minister to lead the congregation, which was established in November 1949. He succeeded the Rev. F. Richard Benken, who retired in 1997 after serving for 39 years. Pastor Heide grew up in Galveston, TX, and ultimately earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. After working for three years on offshore drilling rigs, he felt a need for a vocation that was more fulfilling. He began thinking about entering the ministry, something he had considered as a boy. So he enrolled at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, a theological graduate school of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. He received a Master of Divinity degree in December 1990, and was called to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Corinth, MS, where he served for seven years until being called to the congregation in Madison, moving here with his wife, Ellen, and their two daughters.

Members of LCM are very grateful for their shepherd’s leadership over the past 25 years. Pastor Heide is a gifted preacher, author of several books of sermons, counselor, and a very knowledgeable teacher of the Bible. In addition to his other ministerial commitments, he visits up to 25 homebound and sick members and non-members each month. He guided the parish through an extensive building renovation program in 2006, resulting in a beautiful new Sanctuary. During the pandemic, he found ways to continue to serve his flock. From his “drive-by and a blessing” on the first Sunday after the State shutdown, to a daily email Bible study of David’s Psalms, to his Zoom Bible classes and his sermons on LCM’s website, he found a way to continue with his ministerial duties. Finally, he reopened the church with mask wearing and distanced seating long before most other houses of worship resumed services. He leads the parish in supporting our local communities by sponsoring several Red Cross Blood Drives each year at the church and organizing Food Drives, both at the church and at Stop & Shop, Big Y and Walmart, to support our local food pantries.

Those who know Pastor Heide well have been inspired by his unwavering faith, giving them hope and encouragement. Twenty-five years ago, he made a commitment to “continue to teach and preach God’s Word within the community so that we can all share the message of God’s love.” He has certainly fulfilled that promise.