Saint James Episcopal Church in Pentwater has welcomed the Rev. David Blank as pastor on a part-time basis.
Blank began life as a “PK,” or preacher’s kid. “They are rumored to be ‘the worst,’ and I’m afraid I didn’t prove the rumor wrong.” His father was a Lutheran pastor in western Pennsylvania, and despite the trials of being a PK, David felt called to the ministry. He has been in ministry for 42 years, starting with two small Scandinavian Lutheran churches in Northwestern Pennsylvania. He continued with a Slovak Lutheran Church in upstate New York for 10 years, followed by six years as chaplain in a nursing home with 400 residents. He also supported several small churches by training student pastors.
His last pastorate in Warren, Pennsylvania, was with a large Lutheran church, after which he moved to Michigan. He served St. Luke Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids and St. David Episcopal Church in Lansing. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church have an agreement that clergy and members can move freely between the denominations. Blank said, “I felt very comfortable in both settings. Since 2021 I have served only in the Episcopal Church. During a recent two-year interim ministry at St. Mark Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, I explored formal accreditation in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan, now the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes. I filed the necessary paperwork and was formally received two years ago.”
Although he qualifies age-wise for retirement, he is not ready to retire. “I think there is still ‘more tread on the tire,’ and I love the ministry. My position at St. James is part-time but is not an interim position.” Blank and his wife, Judy, have a home in Rockford, where they typically spend most weekdays, coming to Pentwater some time on Friday and returning to Rockford some time on Monday. The schedule does not preclude occasional day trips for special events. St. James Church provides the Blanks a home near the church and is creating a space in the church for him to have a small office there. He has been serving the church for four weeks.
Blank has found the community warm and hospitable and the members of the congregation eager to serve and ready for challenges. He affirms, “God’s love is for everyone, and my challenge is to find the best way to share that love with the community. I am ecumenically minded and wish to work cooperatively with the other local churches.” He and his wife enjoy walking and purchased e-bikes to get around town and meet residents. Blank reports she is an RN by trade but also a very talented artist who oil paints and works with glass ornaments. In addition to Judy’s creativity, he is grateful for her support – “I couldn’t be a pastor without her support. When I was discouraged during COVID and ready to consider leaving the ministry, she gave me the courage I needed to continue.”
News one might find unusual for a pastor includes that he and his wife met on eHarmony in 2007. Add to that he has a certificate in enology (the art of making wine) and has won multiple gold and silver awards in many state/national wine competitions for his uniquely flavored wines. His second surprising hobby is repairing Lionel trains, a skill he markets on an Etsy website. “I love taking train engines up to 100 years old and getting them to run again.”
It doesn’t take much time to discover that Blank is a wonderful listener. The support he looks for, in addition to prayer, is help in making connections. “I like listening to people’s stories to connect with them. If you meet me, tell me how you got to be here in Pentwater.”
