LCMS president also 'pastor'

Matthew Harrison, president of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, noticed that church bylaws say elected officials "may be called as an assistant pastor, provided such services do not interfere with his official duties as president."

Harrison approached the pastor of his congregation, Village Lutheran in St. Louis, which called, or invited, Harrison to be its assistant pastor.

For the first time in 60 years, the president will not only manage the second-largest Lutheran denomination in the country but will also help his congregation with preaching, teaching and visiting homebound members.