TURNING OVER THE FLOCK: TRINITY LUTHERAN PASTOR TO RETIRE

The Rev. David Dissen reflected on his years as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

A picture of Judy Dissen is close to her husband in his office at Trinity Lutheran Church.

The Rev. David V. Dissen, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, knows that the job of a pastor can be filled with both terror and humor. He has experienced both in his nearly 40 years of ministry.

Dissen, who will preach his retirement sermon this weekend at Trinity, will be honored at a special retirement dinner Sunday.

When Dissen began his ministry career, he served as vicar to Cuban congregations around Havana during the Castro Revolution. A vicarage in the Lutheran Church is similar to a pastoral internship.

He recalled his days in Cuba. "Sometimes it was scary," Dissen said.

He was stopped several times by the secret police. They thought he might be running arms for Fidel Castro, who overthrew Cuba's presidency to become dictator.

After leaving a mission church in Hershey, Cuba, Dissen was stopped by police and asked to open the trunk of his car. The moisture and salty air on the island had eroded the lock on his trunk, and it wouldn't open. A young officer kept insisting that the trunk be opened and pointed a rifle at his back.

"My Spanish was not as good as it should have been," Dissen said. Finally an older man came by and said: "This is a man of God. Let him go."

Ministering amid the turbulent times in Cuba was difficult, but it helped Dissen develop an appreciation for the fun of serving as pastor.

"People need to know that I can tell jokes and laugh, but when it comes to God's word I'm serious," he said.

One of his funniest stories happened when performing a baptism at a church in Clearwater, Fla. Though it was humorous, it taught Dissen an important lesson: Every church congregation does things differently.

Dissen was all set to perform the baptism when he discovered the font was without water. The pitcher sitting nearby also was empty.

After lifting up the empty pitcher several times and sitting it back down again, a member realized it was empty. He then brought Dissen a paper cup of water.

Now, every time Dissen sees the parents of that child, they remind him of the baptism. "They say their baby is probably the only child I've baptized out of a Dixie cup," he said with a laugh.

Dissen is serious about his ministry role. It is an important job he felt divinely called to perform.

He wants people to know that he preaches "God's word in truth and purity" and wants to affect lives in a positive way.

Judging from the cards and letters he has received in his final ministry weeks, Dissen has done just that. Many people in the congregation have sent notes of encouragement and thanks for his friendship and support.

Even the Cape Girardeau police and fire departments have been part of Dissen's ministry flock. He has been police chaplain for nearly 11 years and will continue in that role after his retirement.

"He's a friend to all the officers, and we see him frequently in the department," said Police Chief Rick Hetzel. "He is always available."

His congregation agrees.

Dale Kester, who was president of the Trinity congregation when Dissen was installed, said he is a "man with a big heart who doesn't always get credit. He's had a tough job but has always handled it well."

Dissen and his wife, Judy, will remain in Cape Girardeau after his retirement. Dissen wants to spend his time "visiting Mrs. Green" on the golf course, visiting relatives and spending time traveling.

Members have asked Dissen to reconsider his retirement and stay on a few more years. But he says he has already given the congregation his good years and doesn't want anyone to see the worst.

"It's time to pass the mantle to a younger generation," he said.