In the Field

Featuring the Rev. David Mumme, 
Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church 
Marseilles, Ill.

by Pam Knepper
Managing Editor, For the Life of the World

For the Rev. David Mumme a strong pastoral presence was the key ingredient in his decision to become a pastor and spend his life serving the people of God.

Born into a large farming family in rural Minnesota, Rev. Mumme spent his childhood growing up near St. James, Minn. The family attended St. John's Lutheran Church in the nearby community of South Branch. It was here that the Rev. Mumme was first introduced to a pastoral presence. He found it in the late Rev. Arthur Drevlow, whom he held in the highest regard.

"You never forget the pastor that confirmed you and for me that was Rev. Drevlow," said Rev. Mumme. "During my childhood years he always remained a strong and constant presence for me."

While he was still in high school, that presence changed for Rev. Mumme when the Rev. Douglas Rutt was called to replace the retiring Drevlow.

"Just like my relationship with Rev. Drevlow, I soon gained a great deal of respect for Rev. Rutt," explained Rev. Mumme.

In fact, it was he who initially mentioned that Rev. Mumme should think about becoming a pastor.

"When I was in high school I wanted to become a pilot," said Rev. Mumme. Knowing that Rev. Rutt had once been a pilot, he went to talk to Rev. Rutt about how to accomplish his goal. "Rev. Rutt told me that he would be happy to talk to me about piloting, but that he didn't think I would ever become one. Rather, he said, 'I think that you will be a pastor.'"

Like so many young men, at first Rev. Mumme didn't give much thought to his pastor's words.

Rev. Mumme went off to attend college at Concordia University in River Forest, Ill. Entering as a computer science major, his interests would change when he decided to take a Latin class.

"My mother loved Latin when she was in high school and encouraged me to take it while I was in college," explained Rev. Mumme. "So when the chance presented itself, I signed up for the class. Little did I know it at the time, but that class would end up leading me down an entirely different career path."

As it came to be, Rev. Mumme was the only student in the class who wasn't a pre-seminary student.

"I didn't realize that Latin was the natural lead in for Greek," explained Rev. Mumme. "As I got to know the pre-seminary students I found myself thinking seriously about the ministry for the first time and began to consider attending the seminary."

As was the case in previous situations, Rev. Mumme found himself turning to his pastoral presence for advice.

"I talked with Rev. Drevlow and Rev. Rutt about going to seminary," said Rev. Mumme. "They were both very encouraging and told me that if I did indeed decide to enter seminary, I should attend Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind."

Rev. Mumme explained that Rev. Drevlow had attended the seminary when it was still located in Springfield, Ill., and Rev. Rutt had gone to the Fort Wayne campus.

"Both mentioned the fact that they were very impressed with the faculty at Fort Wayne, in particular Professor Kurt Marquart and Dr. David Scaer," explained Rev. Mumme. "To help alleviate my fears about supporting myself and my future wife, Rev. Rutt assured me that the Clothing and Food Co-ops had been a tremendous economic help for him and his family while they were at the seminary."

Having received such encouragement, Rev. Mumme decided to attend Concordia Theological Seminary. He began his studies in the fall of 1993 after graduating from Concordia University, River Forest, that previous spring with a degree in computer science/mathematics and a minor in physics.

"I absolutely loved my time at the seminary," remembered Rev. Mumme. "Rev. Drevlow and Rev. Rutt were not kidding when they had said the faculty was impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed my classes and having the chance to really get to know my professors."

Another aspect of seminary life that Rev. Mumme and his wife Glenda particularly enjoyed was their church.

"Right after we moved to Fort Wayne, Glenda accepted the position as youth director at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in downtown Fort Wayne," explained Rev. Mumme. "The people at St. Paul's instantly made us feel welcome and over time became a second family to us."

As is the case with all students, Rev. Mumme spent a year of his seminary training in a Lutheran church serving as a vicar. He was assigned to a dual-parish, Our Savior Lutheran Church in Crookston, Minn. and First English Lutheran Church in Eldred, Minn.

"My vicarage year was a very good experience for me," said Rev. Mumme. "My supervisor, the Rev. David Sherry, was gracious enough to allow me to do a little bit of everything."

Graduating in 1997 from the seminary, Rev. Mumme's first and current call was to Trinity Lutheran Church in Marseilles, Ill.

"Marseilles is a town of 5,000 people and Trinity has about 200 members," explained Rev. Mumme. "The church has been in the community for 133 years and has a good mix of life-long members and newer members."

Rev. Mumme has particularly enjoyed the opportunity to focus his time and attention on sermon preparation, preparing and teaching Bible classes, and visiting the sick and homebound.

"Since this is a relatively small congregation, I have been able to spend a lot of time preparing and conducting Bible studies for the congregation," explained Rev. Mumme. "Currently we offer classes on Wednesday mornings, Thursday evenings, and Sunday mornings. It has been very gratifying because the people are genuinely interested in learning what God's Word says and what we believe as Lutherans."

Another advantage of pastoring this congregation has been the opportunity for Rev. Mumme to offer adult catechesis classes on a one-to-one basis.

"I have found that since I am able to spend one-on-one time with new members, they really learn what our church believes and are much more likely to remain faithful members," said Rev. Mumme. "My hope is that I can become the strong pastoral presence to my people that has always been so constant in my life."