The Concordia Story: A Fifty-Year History of Concordia Lutheran Church 1951-2001

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Above: You never knew who would
show up at Concordia. Entrepreneur
Red McCombs visits with Concordia
members prior to speaking at a
Concordia Business Person’s Dinner in
the late 1980’s.
Below: Christianity 201, an evening
Bible Class filled the gymnasium with
Concordia members. This photo is
dated Sept. 18, 1991.
chosen to head the call committee. Other members
were Joe Gorder, Chas Neely, Jim Smith, Vick
Leitko, Jim Wengler, Clarence Dirks, Al Love,
Larry Maxwell, John Sabatino, David Klobedans
and Ed Shook. Ebs served in an advisory capacity.
In December Joe Gorder was selected at the
annual voters’ meeting as the new congregational
president, with the term beginning
January 1, 1994. His unexpected election
placed Gorder in a position to guide the transition,
along with Ebs.
Prior to being elected president, Gorder had
already been appointed to head the committee
planning Merkens’ going away celebration.
“So I had to take care of that duty before we
could even think about the transition,” Gorder
said. “And it was really a tough job. Dr. Merkens
was used to being involved in everything that
happened at Concordia. This was the first time
that he had been kept out of the loop. So it was
a difficult challenge to keep him from knowing
everything that was going on in preparation for
the celebration. Things got a little tense because
we wouldn’t tell him all the plans. We really
wanted to surprise him and Barbara.”
The celebration was held between services on
December 19, 1993 in an overflowing gymnasium.
The program included testimonials from
family members and church members, gratefully
thanking Merkens for his 42 years of service.
There was also a video produced that included
comments from individuals Merkens’ ministry
had touched, including Coach Bum Phillips,
Trinity Baptist Pastor Buckner Fanning and Dr.
Oswald Hoffman. Surprise attendees included
the three sons of Concordia who had been
ordained together in 1974, Pastors Knippa,
Wagner, and Nelson.
“It was a great celebration,” noted Gorder. “In
the end I think Doc was really glad we had kept
all the secrets from him. And it was the first time
in 42 years that the 11 o’clock service didn’t
start on time.”
Immediately after the celebration Gorder,
Ebs, and the congregational leadership began
work on the many tasks at hand.
“I will be eternally grateful to Dr. Merkens,”
said Gorder. “That he helped set up some of the
transition in advance and that he left us with
considerable cash in the bank.”
46 ✦ THE CONCORDIA STORY