The ordination of Rev. Cunningham

OSHAWA, Ont. – On July 14, Daniel Cunningham was ordained at Grace Lutheran Church, beside the baptismal font from which he was baptized thirty-one years ago. In a Facebook post, Rev. Cunningham shared: “I approached the same altar at which I received God’s Body and Blood for the first time at Confirmation. But, as I approached this same font and altar on Sunday, our gracious Lord of the Harvest called me, His humble servant, into the office of holy ministry.”

Sixteen pastors participated in the ordination service, including Rev. Allen Maleske (preacher), who baptized Cunningham as an infant; and Rev. Jack Hetzel (liturgist), the pastor who confirmed him.

“As so many pastors, who had played a significant role in my spiritual life, placed their hands on my head and spoke God’s Word and a word of blessing, I realized how unworthy I was,” Cunningham said. “These men had taught me from childhood, counselled and cared for me during spiritually dark times. They can construct meaningful sermons and some can chant like the heavenly choirs. However, I remembered that this office is not built upon man’s effort alone. For if it was, how could anyone ever succeed? Rather, the office of holy ministry is built upon God’s Word, the Sacraments, and Christ crucified.”

Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) East Regional Pastor Marvin Bublitz and West Regional Pastor Robert Mohns participated in the ordination service. Rev. Cunningham will be installed as a pastor in LCC’s West Region, serving Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kitimat. He and his wife, Alexandria, will be making their new home in B.C. in August.

A recent graduate of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Cunningham’s ordination also included professor Rev. Dr. James Kellerman; field work supervisor Rev. David Hamp; and a few recently graduated classmates now serving as pastors of LCC congregations.

“Resting upon Christ, then, God has called me to be a watchman and to care for His people with Law and Gospel,” Cunningham said. “Christ has instituted this office to deliver His Body and Blood in Holy Communion. And I have been called to declare the forgiveness of sins, won through the cross, to the troubled and grieving soul. All of this rests on Christ, not on man.”

The occasion concluded with a lively meal at the church, surrounded by family and friends, and birthday cake—since it was also Cunningham’s birthday!

Alex Steinke

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