"A Community in Christ on the Journey of Faith"
Church Elders
The Office of Elder is primarily to be a spiritual leaser in the congregation. They are to see that the services of God's house are held at the proper times, that the Word of God is purely preached and taught according to the Lutheran Confessions, that the sacraments of Christ are administered according to His institution, that provision is made for the Christian instruction of young and old, that the erring are admonished, and that discipline is maintained.
The Congregation should be able to look upon her elders as men of wisdom and patience, of the knowledge of the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions, and as men of reputation worthy of this office.
Seven elders are currently serving Messiah.
Steffan Scherer: Head Elder
Steffan Scherer was born on 1/18/65 and was raised in a Baptist family in and around the Twin Cities area of
Minnesota. A graduate of Coon Rapids High (Class of 1983), Steffan continued his education at the University of
Minnesota. Steffan married Lisa Patrow in 1987 and entered Dental School and graduated in 1991. Steffan and Lisa moved
to North Carolina where Steffan continued his schooling at the University of North Carolina of Chapel Hill and became a
specialist in endodontics. Steffan and Lisa moved their family to Bismarck, North Dakota in 1994. They became members
of Messiah Lutheran in October of 2005.
Steffan's interests are history (Bismarck, automotive, pioneer) and traveling. Steffan and his family are active in various historical functions.
Bob Vossler: Elder
Bob
was born in Gainesville, Texas, and raised in Billings, Montana. When
his parents were divorced,
and his mother, himself, and brothers moved to Wishek where he lived
for the next 25 years. He married Lillian Becker at age 20, has two
children, Susan and Robert, and now twin grandchildren, Sammy and
Katrina, age 2. They moved to Mandan in '74 and
Messiah has been their church home ever since.
As elder, my duties include setting up for communion, assisting pastor with sacraments, making sure that the services are run properly, making calls, and sending cards when those members on my roster are ill.
Also, I am head of the Budget Task Force, which is responsible for preparing and presenting the budget to the church council and the voters.
Pat Bierman: Elder
My name is Pat Bierman. My wife's name is Lori and I have 3 children, Eli, Henry and Andrew.
I have been an elder for two years. My duties as an elder include setting up for and assisting with the administration of Holy Communion, meeting with the pastor and the other elders monthly for bible study and discussion of pertinent issues and concerns in the congregation, and assisting members in need of spiritual growth/guidance.
Jerry Scheitel: Elder
I was born in 1946 in Redwood Falls, MN. My father was a Lutheran pastor at the country church where he met my
mother. Our family moved to Sanborn, MN, Rib Falls, WI, and then Appleton, WI. I attended Fox Valley Lutheran High
School in Appleton and decided to become an elementary school teacher. I graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in
New Ulm, MN in 1969.
On June 14th that same year I married Linda Lutkat from Mandan, ND. My first call assignment to teach was in Billings, MT. Linda was also a teacher and together we started a new school at Apostles in Billings. In 1974 I accepted a call to St. Matthews in Milwaukee, WI. I taught there until 1984 when I left teaching because of health reasons.
That same year we moved to Mandan where I started a carpentry business. We joined Messiah and I've served on the council, evangelism taskforce and presently as elder. I enjoy singing in our Messiah choir.
God has blessed our family with 5 children and 9 grandchildren.
Rod Bassler: Elder
I
was raised in small town central-Wisconsin, population 400. My dad and
mom owned a trucking business, along with lime spreading on the side
and custom crawler work, so heavy machinery and the smell of diesel
fuel gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. Mom ran the house and kept the
books for the business. I have bachelor's degrees in Cartography
and Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and went
to the University of Kansas for a graduate school detour before coming
to North Dakota in February of 1994 to work for the North Dakota
Geological Survey. I thought it'd be a nice way to get away from the
heat and humidity of Kansas and gradually work my way back to
Wisconsin, but I discovered that North Dakota reminded me of home when
I was growing up and I haven't felt much of an urge to move "back east"
since. Volleyball is pretty much a passion for 8 months of the year,
along with a healthy smattering of competition shooting, hunting, and
home improvement, and 3 potential antique truck projects. I currently
work for the North Dakota State Water Commission and have recently
started a software company on the side with two other business partners.
Arnie Donat: Elder
I
was born in Jamestown, ND in 1949 and lived on a farm near Courtenay,
ND north of Jamestown until 1966, at that time we moved into the town
of Courtenay. I attended school at Courtenay from 1st through 12th
grade. After High School I attended Valley City State College and in
1971 received a BS degree in Secondary Education to teach High School
Math. After a short tour of active duty with the US Army as a
requirement for the ND National Guard, I started working at Mathisons
in Fargo, ND in Feb 1972. I am still employed with them.
In 1972 I was married to Sandy Norheim, someone I had met in Vacation Bible School when we were very young. Sandy died after a battle with Ovarian Cancer in 2000. Together we had three great kids Ryan, Brett, and Sara. I now have two very special grand children McKayla and Logan.
Zion Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Courtenay, ND is where I was baptized and confirmed. I was confirmed by Pastor Edward J. Rutter (retired Wahpeton, ND). In 1993 our family joined Messiah Lutheran Church in Mandan and have been attending there since that time.