Double duty

Sunday, October 25, 2009
The Rev. David E. Schaffner maintains a double life. He works part time as a road salesman for Fisher Auto Parts and has served the St. John's United Church of Christ as its pastor for 18 years. Before his sales gig, he worked full time for the Jim Wilson Co. in Cape Girardeau. Before he became the full-time pastor, he substituted for St. John's pastor. Schaffner calls it "part of my training."

He loves gardening and yard work and "could spend days puttering around the yard." Pastor Dave put aside his rake to answer a few questions from the Southeast Missourian.

What drew you to serve the church in a leadership role?

After teaching Sunday school classes for many years and holding various offices within the church itself, I always had a feeling God was wanting more from me. While attending the Evangelical United Church of Christ in Cape Girardeau, a pastor -- now retired -- would ask me to fill in for him occasionally. This whet my appetite, and I knew what God's calling was for me.

What education/background/studies did you go through to become a pastor?

While in college I had enough hours to qualify for a minor in religion. (Even back in those years I had a faith that God had a special calling for me in life.) The pastor of the Cape Girardeau Evangelical United Church of Christ at that time was Ernest Jordan. Rev. Jordan and I discussed my future at some length, and he in turn made contact with our Missouri Conference. It was through this arrangement I was assigned to the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer at Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson.

The course work came through the denomination under the leadership of Pastor Sam. At the time he seemed like a taskmaster with the amount of studies assigned. Of course, it didn't take me long to realize how thankful I was for his diligence in seeing me through the licensed ministry program. Studies for a pastor never cease. There is always some book, course or study to keep oneself fresh with the good news of Jesus Christ.

Something I discovered many years ago is that a pastor serves more than one congregation. Our ministry actually goes out into the whole world through all those we come in contact with.

Where are you from and when/why did you move to Cape Girardeau?

My home was Bay, Mo., which is 14 miles south of Hermann, Mo. Barbara, my wife, was a native of Cape Girardeau, and we were college sweethearts. After college, we married and I went to work for International Shoe Co. in their management training program. The first factory in which I was manager was Richland, Mo. This factory closed after I was there but six months (and another child later). At that time I changed to Brown Shoe Co. and eventually became the plant manager in the McKenzie, Tenn., factory. Neither Barbara nor myself like the moving required of plant managers, so we came back to Cape Girardeau for a permanent lifestyle for our family.

What do you think makes this church special?

There are many reasons, but it all begins with the people. For the most part, St. John's is a rural congregation with agriculture in its background.

The people have close ties and are always willing to help one another when needed. St. John's is a throwback to an early era in this country when people came to church in wagons pulled by a team of horses. Through all the remodeling, a place can still be seen in the ceiling where the stovepipe went through. Someone would come early to start the fire to warm the church for the worshippers. Perhaps the biggest and best blessing of St. John's is that it has served the community since 1877. In those years, many families have found a church they could call home.

What's your favorite verse and why?

This is a difficult question, for there are many. Perhaps Romans 8:28. I have given this as a confirmation verse in the past. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

What program have you done with St. John's that you are proud of and why?

Establishing a ministerial alliance in which our area churches work together. Through this alliance a "good neighbors" program was started with each church welcoming newcomers into the Fruitland Community and helping them to find a church home.

What events or occasions does your church have coming up?

Today at 4 p.m. will be our Halloween Party. Of course, this is an event for the children, but the adults enjoy it just as much. Oct. 31 will be a chili stew supper from 4 to 7 p.m. in the evening, sponsored by the Ladies Fellowship. The ladies use the funds for church improvements and bereavement dinners and other needs as they arise.

What's your favorite day of the week and why?

That would have to be Sunday. I get to report for a job that I love!

What's your favorite part of being a pastor?

Being with the people, watching families grow, and helping families work through time of joy and sorrow.

Do you have a prayer, psalm or verse you would like to give our readers for the day?

In 1953, the year I was a junior in high school, my grandmother gave me a Bible for Christmas. Out of her seven children and 13 grandchildren, she finally had her minister. She wrote two verses. The first, John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life." The second: Matthew 28:20: "Lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."