Zion the Prize: Pastor Paul Gateman leads a diverse flock with wisdom and grace
Story by Sidnie Jackson | Photos by Ed Abeska
“Being a pastor is everything I expected it to be,” says Pastor Paul Gateman of Zion Lutheran Church, in Ferndale. “I knew I wanted to be a pastor since seventh grade.”
Being an active member at his church and watching his pastor do a good job, he decided it was the path for him. He grew up in a typical congregation, and was very involved. Because of this he saw the good and the bad of running a church, and learned from it.
Before he was a man of god he was a man of the flesh, so to speak. He worked at his family’s meat market in Detroit, cutting and packaging steaks and chops along with delivering groceries. He then became a chaplain at a youth detention center for eight years. Finally, he gathered his own flock. A lifelong Lutheran, he’s been a pastor now for 45 years.
Keeping a busy schedule, Pastor Gateman visits people in hospitals and homes, listening to them and giving comfort and sacrament. He either prays with them or teaches them how to pray. Pastor Gateman helps preside over events of joy and sorrow, performing weddings among his own congregation; he also performs funeral services.
One big responsibility is the writing and preaching of sermons. To organize the service on Sunday, he has to develop a theme from the assigned gospel lesson, explain how it relates to peoples’ lives, and commit it to memory. His sermons challenge people to live their faith.
Pastor Gateman says that “Working with youth is one of the best parts of my job!” He also considers this his most important task. Developing a program and finding a time where everyone is available to create a spiritual outlet for the kids is not easy, but it is rewarding.
One of Pastor Gateman’s favorite things about his job is watching people discover that they are part of a community that accepts them for who they are. The church as a whole helps out the community as well. They get calls from people seeking help with food or shelter. The church community addresses each call individually and helps out as needed.
Pastor Gateman explained that the most important lesson he has learned in life is never to take people for granted. “We need each other to get through life. We all struggle a bit.”
“There are many wonderful churches in the area, Zion included.” Pastor Paul says. He adds that Zion offers bible- based worship, traditional Lutheran with an eclectic twist. Zion has an amazing music program and is welcoming to anyone, operating on a “come as you are” basis, not discriminating due to age, ability, beliefs, race, sexuality, or anything else. In order to create such a welcoming atmosphere, Pastor Paul focuses on the idea that “Jesus rejects no one, so neither does the church.”
Zion Lutheran Church is located at 143 Albany Street in Ferndale. Call 248-398- 5510 or visit their website at fernzion.org
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