Amber Kalina MDiv, 2021 on Being a Community Leader, Not Just a Church Leader
For Amber Kalina (MDiv, 2021), LSTC helped her to become attentive to the intersection between faith and society. “Beloved community doesn’t just happen on its own,” Amber says. “It requires intentional relationship building, cherishing of diversity, and curiosity for what the Spirit is up to.”
Currently in her first call as the solo pastor of Our Savior’s and Melo Lutheran Churches in Warren, MN, Amber ultimately sees her call as to the wider community, to “identify areas where God’s love can be made known and God’s abundance can be shared to care for the bodies, minds, and spirits of our neighbors.” Lately this has looked like starting a Backpack Program in Warren’s school system, supporting students through getting them food for weekends and long breaks. Amber also cites Warren’s nurturing nursing home and senior living apartments, food shelf and social services, and quality hospital system as additional areas of opportunity for public church to be lived out in this small town.
When asked about the joys and challenges of rural ministry, Amber says, “Do you know the old Cheers theme song that says, ‘Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name’? Serving in a small, rural setting pretty much guarantees that people will know you, and it gives you a great opportunity to know your people.” Amber has witnessed the beauty of people reaching out to support their neighbors experiencing grief or illness and has heard congregation members checking in on people they have not seen for a while. She has even seen half the town travel hours away to support one of the local high school teams.
There are drawbacks to this environment, however, especially as it comes to issues like mental health struggles, addiction, and relationship difficulties. “Of course, we all have struggles, but sometimes it feels like such a shameful thing for your neighbor to know your deep pain,” Amber says. “It is my hope that we as the church can do more to diminish the stigma around seeking help and naming the painful things we endure.”
LSTC undoubtedly formed this hope of Amber’s. She says LSTC shaped her vision for leadership and service by helping her to see that the church needs to bring Good News to our neighbors through not only speech but also action. “To tend to people’s spirits means to also tend to their bodies and minds, addressing the social ills that keep them from living as free and beloved children of God.”
As a relatively recent graduate, Amber has sound advice for current students preparing to lead in a rapidly changing world: “Don’t think you have to have all of the answers right off the bat. Ask curious questions. Listen to the community. Trust that God is already working and has ways in mind for you to join in.”