Pr. Paul N. Svingen began his term as intentional interim pastor at Salem
on October, 26, 2011. Previously he served Sheridan Lutheran Church, an ELCA
congregation of 4100 members in Lincoln, NE, as interim senior pastor. Pr. Paul
has specialized in this unique parish ministry calling since 1978…serving more
than 25 congregations in 13 ELCA Synods across ten states. He has also been
involved since 1984 in the leadership and development of this ministry specialty
through the ecumenical Interim Ministry Network and in the National Association
of Lutheran Interim Pastors. Since 1987 he has led the training for the practice
of intentional interim ministry through Kairos at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN.
A native of Benson, MN, Pastor Svingen and his wife Susan Baldwin live on Island Lake in Ponto Lake Township. Susan is retired from a 21 year career as Deputy Executive Director of PPL (Project For Pride in Living, Inc.) in Minneapolis where she started the self-sufficiency program and moved into the directorship of PPL's human resources department. PPL serves multiple needs of central city residents (housing, education, parenting, job skills, welfare to work, and work connections opportunities) and as a nationally-recognized non-profit is supported in its 15+ million dollar annual mission by individual gifts, grants, and partnership efforts with business and community. Currently Susan is employed as a family therapist and program staff manager for Northern Pines Mental Health Services working out of their Brainerd office.
Pr. Svingen's undergraduate degree is from St. Olaf College and his post-graduate degrees (Master of Divinity & Doctor of Ministry) are from Luther Seminary in St. Paul. He serves as mentor and interim ministry counselor to hundreds of pastors who have taken training from him since 1987.
Paul and Susan have a son Randy and daughter-in-law Melissa who live and teach in Kiel, WI. They are parents of Peyton, Brenna and Kenzie. Daughter Kristy and son-in-law Lee work and live in Bloomington, MN. Paul and Susan live with their resident English Springer Spaniels, Levi and Shiloh, and frequently foster rescued English Springers through ESRA (English Springer Rescue Association).
If we at Salem can be of any assistance to you, please let us know (salem@arvig.net).
Home | Projects | About Salem | News |Worship Schedule | Events | Activities | Contact Us | Links of Interest | Youth Group |