Pastor Fred T. Crawford III awarded medal for exemplary ministry

READING, PA (May 18, 2003) – In a surprise ceremony at the 16^th Annual Assembly of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, the Rev. Fred T. Crawford III, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Tamaqua, PA, was awarded the Henry Melchior Muhlenberg Medal for exemplary congregational ministry. The Medal is an honor conferred by The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP), and presentation was made Friday evening during the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Assembly in the Sovereign Center, Reading, May 16-17.

The Rev. Dr. Philip D. W. Krey, president of LTSP, noted that, through this award, the seminary recognizes and expresses appreciation for the exemplary ministry of the recipients. The medal is viewed by the seminary as recognition comparable to that of an honorary doctorate, but focusing specifically on exemplary service in the public ministries of the Church.

In presenting the award, the Rev. David R. Strobel, bishop of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, told the gathering of more than 700 lay and clergy leaders that, except for his first three years as an assistant pastor in Allentown, Pastor Crawford’s entire ministry has been spent in the heart of Schuylkill County’s anthracite coal region. "It is by choice, not by chance, that Pastor Crawford serves this area," Bishop Strobel stated. "It is the area he loves and the area to which he knows he has been called.

"Pastor Crawford has the heart of a pastor—meeting and engaging people where they are and conveying the good news of salvation for their lives, "Bishop Strobel continued. "This means comforting the afflicted (and there has been much opportunity for this among the folks in the coal region) and challenging (and afflicting) the comfortable."

Some examples of Pastor Crawford’s pastoral ministry include—

Working with youth one-to-one or in small groups. For example, in the congregation, he maintains a strong cadre of high school youth who serve as liturgical assistants and parish helpers.

An emphasis on ministry with the elderly. In addition to a high need for pastoral care, he actively encourages those who are able to participate in daily morning prayer services at the church.

A strong interest in social ministry, not only in the congregation but also in the local/regional social ministry organizations. He served on the board of Lutheran Welfare Service (LWS) and was chair of the LWS board in the mid-1980s.

Full involvement in the community. In Mahanoy City he served on the school board; in Tamaqua, he is involved with the fire department not only as chaplain but also as a truck crew member and driver responding to calls.

"A key word to understanding Pastor Crawford’s ministry is integration—integration of faith and life; integration of his ministry and his life," Bishop Strobel said. "He does not ‘go to work,’ even though he is conscientiously diligent in attending to the many ministry activities of the parish. Rather, he is fully involved in being a pastor as an expression of his life. This does not mean that he neglects to take time for his family, recreation, community activities, and personal interests. It does mean to convey a healthy integration of life and ministry."

A small measure of Pastor Crawford’s commitment to his ministry in the community and his commitment to the whole Church was seen in his attendance at the assembly on Friday evening even though he had had three funerals in his parish that day. In fact, he had asked to be excused from attending the Friday sessions. But, when asked by a bishop’s associate to come Friday evening even though she could not tell him why, he agreed.

Prior to coming to Zion in 1992, Pastor Crawford served Christ Lutheran Church, Mahanoy City, for nineteen years. Preceding that, he was assistant pastor at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Allentown from 1970-73.

The Muhlenberg Award was created in 1992 on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the ministry on North American shores of Lutheran Patriarch Henry Melchior Muhlenberg. Muhlenberg's 45-year ministry of founding congregations, consulting, preaching and teaching serve as a model for recipients of the award medal.