We Welcome a New Synod Minister!

Upon recommendation from Bishop Amy Odgren, the Northeastern Minnesota Synod Council has issued a call to the Rev. Taryn Montgomery in the position of Synod Minister for Discipleship and Christian Community. Pastor Taryn will start in this new role on a part-time basis in August and join the synod staff full-time September 1, 2023. 

As part of the culture of this synod and its mission, she will be responsible for the engagement and integration of faith formation and leadership development, giving particular emphasis on young people and those who support them within our congregational settings. Pastor Taryn is filling this role as a new position, expanding on what has previously been established as one of the key ministries offered in our synod – the support of youth and the adult leaders who accompany them. 

Pastor Taryn brings many gifts to this position, including passion for discipleship and equipping people to live their faith in everyday living. She also has gifts to encourage others to live as generous stewards of God's abundance, highlighting stewardship as a practice of being a disciple of Jesus. Pastor Taryn will give support to the ongoing youth events which have become a part of the synod’s core identity. She is also hopeful that the synod’s congregations will grow in being caring places of welcome and connection.

This is what she has said regarding her new position: “I look forward to working with the youth and adult leaders of our synod, particularly in growing cross-generational ministries and relationships, and exploring how our shared faith in Jesus Christ calls us to lives of generosity. We are people made of stories! And we have the joy (and sometimes heartache) of interacting with God’s unfolding story every day. I am eager to learn and grow the stories of our synod together!”

In twelve years of ordained ministry, Pastor Taryn has served as a congregational pastor, a lead pastor, a hospice chaplain, an international intern pastor and religion teacher, an advocate and writer, a community organizer, and a spiritual director. She and her husband, Pastor Christoff Schmidt, have three children and are expecting their fourth near Christmas of this year.

Bishop Amy Odgren is excited to welcome Pastor Taryn onto the synod staff team. Please join her in welcoming our new Synod Minister for Discipleship and Christian Community! Here is a link to her resume as you get to know her a little bit before she begins her call.  

Welcome Rev. Taryn and God's blessing upon your ministry!