Zion Lutheran Church ~ Oldwick, NJ

Reverend Dr. Mark R. Summer, Senior Pastor

How do you see your position at Zion?

I have always understood my role as pastor in the congregation as one who proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ through preaching and worship.  Word and Sacrament have been my calling and joy.  My role also includes helping to shape the vision for the work and life of the congregation.  I provide guidance and leadership for the ministry of the church and have taken a special role working with the youth.  I provide care for the people of congregation both in crisis and celebration.  For 25 years, I have been the pastor of Zion, traveling with the people of Zion, helping to lead the way, and following where God has led us.  In everything I do, God’s grace is at the center.          

Who's in your family? 

I met my wife Bonnie, a New Jersey native, in college, and we married in 1973, one week after graduating from Wittenberg University.  We have one son, Scott, who lives with his wife, Jess near Allentown, PA.  They have a little girl, Anna, who is the joy of her grandparents’ life.  I’m Pop-Pop and Bonnie is Mi-Mi.  To complete our family, we have a golden retriever named Champ.

Do you have a special Zion moment?

There are so many special Zion moments that selecting one is difficult.  I guess the one that stands out is the building of the Christian Education Building.  In that project, I clearly saw the hand of God at work.  I was at the church council meeting when we voted down a $50,000 upgrade of the old building.  We turned the question around and began to ask “what would God have us do?” rather that “what can we afford to do?”   Everything changed.  All of sudden we had before us a proposal for a $1,200,000 project incorporating all our ministry possibilities and dreams.  To this new figure, the church council said a resounding “Yes” that was soon echoed by the congregation.  During the planning, building, and dedication of the Christian Education Building, I witnessed the people of Zion working together joyfully to make the vision happen trusting and believing that we were doing God’s work.  This was one of the moments that I will always remember.

What is your favorite hymn?

My favorite hymn is “The King of Love My Shepherd Is.”  My reasons are many and they give you an insight into my understanding of the faith.  First, this hymn was my Grandmother Summer’s favorite.  I cherished her love, her deep and abiding faith, and her infectious laugh.  Second, I love the 23rd Psalm.  I use that psalm devotionally in my own life.  I find great assurance in the words, and here I will use the King James, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”  Third, I love the music.  Music has power to speak in ways that words will never find.  Finally, and most importantly, I love the image of the King of Love.  For me, my faith declares a God of grace, a God of love.

Reverend Dale Selover, Pastor

How do you see your position at Zion?

I love being a parish pastor.  I have served on the pastoral staff at Zion for nine years.  As a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, I am called to the ministry of Word and Sacrament.  It is my great joy and privilege to preach the Gospel and administer the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion.  For me, that calling is also lived out as pastor and partner.  It is my privilege to shepherd and care for God’s people, and to partner with them in ministry.  At Zion, I specifically oversee our ministries of Christian Education, Evangelism, and Shepherding.  I very much understand my role to be, as St. Paul says, to “equip the saints for the work of Christ, for building up the Body of Christ”.

Who's in your family? 

I am married to Pastor Peter Froehlke, who serves as pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Long Valley.  We have two children.  Sara Grace is in high school and Hannah Ruth is in middle school.  We have an enthusiastic black Labrador named Pongyo (which means “friend” in Chinese).

Do you have a special Zion moment?

My favorite memories of Zion center around our Containers for Christ, specifically the days we gather to pack the container, bless its contents, and send it out into the world.  These containers symbolize who we are as a congregation, our passion for the Gospel, and our commitment to outreach.

Who is your favorite character in the Bible?

My favorite biblical person is the woman who anoints Jesus in Mark 14.  I so admire her courage and her faithful witness.  I also love how, surrounded by the confused and doubting disciples, she is the first person to recognize that Jesus is the Messiah.