Goodrich – At 19, he was much like any other college freshman, except that the Rev. Karl Zeigler was pastoring two churches.
The last 40 years has flown by, says Zeigler.
‘When I received my first call, I had no idea where I’d wind up. I’m certainly delighted to be in Goodrich,? he told his congregation at a celebration dinner held last week in his honor.
A group of nearly 200 turned out to honor Zeigler, who has been a positive force in the Goodrich community since being called to pastor Goodrich United Methodist Church four years ago.
Zeigler felt an unmistakable pull toward the ministry’twice in the same morning’in October 1964 while sitting with the choir during a Sunday service.
‘I heard my call, and it was a definite call,? said Zeigler. ‘The words I heard during the first service were ‘Karl, I want you to be a pastor.? The choir trooped out and took our robes off…during the second service I heard the same thing.?
Zeigler’s career began unusually early while a student at Michigan State University.
‘It was not standard operational procedure,? he said, explaining a United Methodist district superintendent arranged for him to pastor two small country churches near Lansing, approximately 10 miles apart.
On Sundays, he left his dorm on campus to conduct a 9:30 a.m. service at one church, then headed out to conduct an 11 a.m. service at the other. Combined, the two churches had slightly less than 100 members.
Meanwhile, the young pastor completed a correspondence course to learn more about the structure of the United Methodist church.
Zeigler was ordained as a deacon in the United Methodist Church in 1968, and as an elder in 1970.
After attending seminary at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Zeigler went on to complete graduate studies in counseling at MSU, and served at several churches throughout Michigan, all at the appointment of the church bishop.
He also served as first executive director of the United Methodist Foundation of the Detroit Annual Conference from 1979 to 1988, and president of Bethany Methodist Foundation for Bethany Methodist Hospital and Homes in Chicago from 1988 to 1990.
Zeigler’s high-energy style has meant logging 60 to 80-hour work weeks, and overcoming challenges ranging from internal church political battles to meeting the need for barrier-free facilities.
Currently, he’s been involved with planning a nearly $2 million family life addition to Goodrich United Methodist Church.
The biggest challenge to ministry today, says Zeigler, is how to be able to deliver a message to people who have little connection with Christian faith ‘to find a way to both present an invitation to come to church, and express an invitation to the journey of Christian faith in clear, understandable English words and symbols.?
To a family man, Christian ministry is a career that involves more than onself.
‘It’s always a joyful and interesting and challenging thing to be in the ministry,’said his wife, Carmen Zeigler. ‘It’s a family job’not an occupation where you come home at five o’clock and the work is done.?
‘Goodrich is a wonderful assignment and we’re very happy here,? she said.?
‘It feels like I’m just starting,? Zeigler said. ‘It’s been a great journey. I look forward to the next decade of being able to do service.?