Religion feature: New pastor experienced spiritual awakening

Although Michael Miller was baptized Lutheran at 3 weeks old, he never attended church growing up.

CNJ staff photo: Benna Sayyed

Michael Miller was ordained and installed Sunday as pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

"My dad was Catholic and my mom was Lutheran, but they couldn't agree on religion, so I just didn't go to church at all, and neither did they," Miller said.

Miller said he experienced a spiritual awakening while attending a recovery group meetings for family members of alcoholics as a college student. This spiritual rebirth he experienced in Al-Anon eventually led him to start his life as a full-time pastor in Clovis.

Miller, his wife Rebecca, and 10-month-old son Ian arrived in Clovis last week from Fort Wayne, Ind. He was ordained and installed Sunday as pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

"They're very happy to have me and I'm looking forward to serving them," Miller said. "I'm excited about it. This is what I've been preparing for since I started seminary."

He grew up in Oakland, Calif., and moved to Bellingham, Wash., in 2003. Around this time, his parents were going through a divorce and he attended Al-Anon with his mother. His father suffered from alcoholism.

He started to realize that spiritual help could assist him in coping with the pain of being an only child in the middle of a divorce.

At the invitation of a college friend, he attended a Lutheran church in Bellingham, Wash. During Bible study, he was asked if he ever considered becoming a pastor, being told he had a nice voice and was good with people.

After graduating from Western Washington University in 2007, Miller earned a seminary degree a year later.

"I had never considered anything spiritual before that. When I was in high school I actually used to make fun of Christians because I thought it was silly," Miller said.

Miller said he has met most of the 100-member congregation at Immanuel and was received with open arms. Miller said he would like to serve Immanuel Lutheran Church as pastor for as long as possible.

"I just met Michael a couple weeks ago," said Scott R. Blazek, former pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

"I think he is a godly man who will be a great fit for this congregation in administering the word and sacrament to God's people."

Bio

Age: 29

Education: Bachelor's degree in theater arts, master's degree in divinity

Favorite subject: History

Favorite author: Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Favorite music: A mix from the 90s, also classical and oldies

Personal heroes: St. Paul

Hobbies: Photography, camping, bike riding, hiking, computers, computer games

Desired travel: Europe