Interview with Pastor David Fleming

Could you tell us a little about yourself?

I grew up in Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod home in the middle of America. Dad was an Elder. Mom volunteered at our Lutheran school. They were joyful and dedicated Christians. I started considering being a pastor when I and our church’s fellow High School youth did a door-to-door survey in my neighbourhood. Only one neighbour knew the saving work of Jesus. The rest all thought they were pretty good people. It made me think there’s a challenge that perhaps the Lord could use me for.

I’ve been an LCMS pastor for 38 years; 32 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan and six years at a congregation near Chicago, Illinois. For the last five years, I also serve as Executive Director for Spiritual Care at DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel. My wife of 39 years, Jo Marie Fleming, is Preschool Director at our parish school. We have three grown children all of whom are married. Our two daughters married LCMS pastors (which they had said they’d never do). We have several grandchildren - 4 granddaughters in Grand Rapids so we see them often.

What does Doxology do?

Our main work is helping pastors to be the best pastors they can be. We do this work through our Classic Program which includes three parts. Part one is a four-day retreat for pastors at which every day is surrounded by prayer offices and preaching and includes in-depth study on the pastoral art of the Care of Souls. We also look at depression, “compassion fatigue”, emotional intelligence, and examine the various dangers pastors are prone to encounter. Part two is a weekend conference for pastors and lay leaders on how church and ministry work together, looking at care of pastors, stewardship, handling conflict, ministry to LGBTQ and cohabiting souls, and encouraging one another. Part three is an annual weekend conference for pastors and their wives. Topics change annually, but the goal is to strengthen pastors and their wives in the Lord’s gifts.

We also have timely seminars and presentations on topics that impact the care of souls in face of current challenges. Currently we’re having seminars across North America on addressing the sexual chaos of our day.

How did you become involved in Doxology?

I participated in the DOXOLOGY Classic program in 2012 and found it exceedingly helpful. Then in 2013 I served as a chaplain for a Classic series. In 2014 I was inducted into the DOXOLOGY Collegium as a Fellow. The Collegium does research and writing on pastoral care issues which mentorship from scholars such as Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Dr. John Kleinig, Rev. Eugene Petersen, Dr. Carl Trueman, and Dr. Jim Nestigen. In 2018 I became Associate Director for Spiritual Care, working alongside Dr. Harold Senkbeil, the founder. In 2020 I became Executive Director for Spiritual Care as Dr. Senkbeil retired and I work with my co-Executive Director for Christian Council, Dr. Beverly Yahnke, a clinical psychologist and faithful Lutheran layperson.

How has God surprised you during your career?

He keeps forgiving and loving me and even, according to Holy Scripture, delighting in me which always surprises and encourages me. Just this week I was overwhelmed by a dying member in great pain. She had less than a day to live according to the doctor and she met with each family member of her large extended family and with me and Jo, and was so joyful, calm, thankful, and encouraging. Thanks be to God for faithful Christians who bear the cross faithfully and even joyfully in heartbreaking and difficult situations.

What has brought you the most joy?

Any repentant sinner! And walking alongside faithful Christians, especially in painful and difficult situations, kept steadfast in Christ. One of my biggest joys lately was to be in Australia twice in the last two years, meeting with faithful pastors and wives and laity living through all the challenges you’ve faced in Australia. It’s all so encouraging!

What are the greatest challenges facing confessional Lutherans today?

We’re up against a cultural tsunami that rejects God’s word, our embodied lives as men and women, and any God-given order. It can feel like we’re in a tiny boat in a storm. Thus, our biggest challenge is the same as it has always been: trusting the Lord and His Word when it is out of season, rejected, and mocked. It’s so tempting to compromise, but our only life and joy is Christ and His good gifts to us. Of course, there’s also the endless personal challenge to not hold grudges, to not consider any soul our enemy, to receive in repentance and faith, and to deliver faithfully our Lord’s mercy.

Do you have any words of encouragement for the people of LM-A?

Thank you for your faithfulness to our Lord and His Word! You might not know this, but in the LCMS you are considered heroes of the faith. The author of Hebrews wrote to Christians facing similar great challenges of apathy by some and false teaching by others. I find Hebrews 12:1-3 to be very encouraging: 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Hebrews 12:1–3 ESV)

Also rejoice in Saint Paul’s words at the close of the resurrection chapter, 1 Corinthians 15:58:

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain. (ESV)

My experience is that our labour often feels in vain. God’s promise is that it isn’t in vain. Trust Him!