New pastor takes the reins at Trinity Lutheran

In just about everything he does - even something like standing in a slow-moving line - the Rev. Mark Cutler will analyze how it could be done more efficiently.

As the new senior pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell, one of the valley's bigger churches, Cutler, 43, will have ample opportunity to practice his organizational gifts.

"I'm a process person as far as my giftedness goes, sort of an efficiency engineer," he said. "I like to look at how things are done, how they could be done better for the sake of the gospel and Christ."

Cutler was formally installed in his new position on Aug. 21. He felt called to Trinity after a six-year stint in a Nebraska church of about 1,300 people, about twice the membership in his new congregation.

The Rev. Darold Reiner had been Trinity's pastor for 25 years before retiring from the post a year ago. John Rasmussen of Cheyenne, Wyo., has been serving as interim pastor since Reiner left to spend more time as head pastor of The Church at Creston.

Reiner's long tenure as pastor at Trinity doesn't intimidate Cutler. He believes Reiner has passed on the gift of a healthy and thriving congregation.

"Something must have been going right," he said. "In a growing and large congregation, a long pastorate is a good sign. The congregation I came from had a history of three years and out."

Though his pragmatic side is evident in his administrative skills, Cutler also has a passion for certain theological and spiritual truths.

"The cross is central in my life and my ministry," he said. "I go back to the cross for power and strength. If we gather around the cross and preach Christ crucified, then any ministry will be successful."

He also puts an emphasis on worship and prayer, both personal and corporate, in his ministry.

"Prayer has really sustained me through some huge trials," he said.

Explaining difficult theologies in simple terms is a strength of his preaching, Cutler said.

"Some of our church's teachings and doctrines are complex, and I want all of us to be able to understand them," he said.

Behind Cutler's decision to accept the offer from Trinity were the church's extensive and unique ministry options.

"I don't know of any church that owns and operates its own camp," he said. "And there's a growing school, in a growing community. The demographics here are positively inclined toward outreach. There are a lot of opportunities.

"I looked at the congregation, and my gifts, and they really did match up."

Cutler was born and raised in Iowa. He went to Concordia College in Nebraska, and later attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.

He and his wife, Joann, have four children: Luke, 16, Benjamin, 14, Rachel, 12, and James, 10.

Cutler is a sports enthusiast and has recently "picked up running as a stress reliever," he said. He has taken it seriously enough to have completed a few marathons.

He has been a high school basketball and volleyball official in the past, but has not registered yet in Montana.

Reporter Heidi Gaiser can be reached at 758-4431 or e-mail hgaiser@dailyinterlake.com