Who We Are
Village Lutheran Church is a collection of sinners who have been made saints, holy and pure, by the working of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, Holy Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. As we receive Christ’s gifts, we are strengthened in faith toward Him and in love for one another.
Village is located in Ladue, but our members come from all over metropolitan St. Louis and from all walks of life. We invite you to get to know the members of Village. You can begin that process by meeting Village’s staff.
Village is located in Ladue, but our members come from all over metropolitan St. Louis and from all walks of life. We invite you to get to know the members of Village. You can begin that process by meeting Village’s staff.
Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison was installed as Village Lutheran Church’s assistant pastor in January 2011. He was elected as president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in July 2010, and in June 2023 he was elected to serve a fifth term as LCMS president through the summer of 2026.
He has served parishes in rural Iowa and inner-city Fort Wayne, Ind. He has also served as Director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care. He is a prolific author, translator, and speaker.
Pastor Harrison and his wife, Kathy, have been blessed with two sons, two daughters-in-law, and a granddaughter. A longer biography of Pastor Harrison is available on lcms.org.
He has served parishes in rural Iowa and inner-city Fort Wayne, Ind. He has also served as Director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care. He is a prolific author, translator, and speaker.
Pastor Harrison and his wife, Kathy, have been blessed with two sons, two daughters-in-law, and a granddaughter. A longer biography of Pastor Harrison is available on lcms.org.
Dr. Joel D. Biermann is the Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Outside of his Seminary responsibilities, Biermann serves as the vacancy pastor for Village Lutheran Church.
He has helped produce material for congregational small group Bible studies (Help for the Hurried Life, Questions About). He also has worked on similar study material through Lutheran Hour Ministries (Who Am I, What Am I Doing Here?, Fatherhood, We the People, A Man Named Martin) and provided discussion questions and answers for a series of men’s Bible study books through Concordia Publishing House (Blessed is the Man).
He has authored four books: “Day 7: for Work, Rest, or Play” (CPH, 2024), “Wholly Citizens” (Fortress, 2017); “A Case for Character” (Fortress, 2014); and “Courageous Fathers of the Bible” (Concordia Publishing House (CPH), 2011).
Biermann is a frequent speaker at LCMS District and congregational gatherings and conferences, where he covers a variety of topics, especially those relating to issues of discipleship, Christian formation, vocation, work and leisure (“rest”), as well as church and state issues.
Biermann and his wife, Jeannalee, have three adult children who are all graduates of Concordia Seminary. Jasmine and Justine are both Master of Arts (M.A.) graduates and Jess is a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) graduate and is currently working on his Ph.D. at the Seminary. They also have 11 grandchildren. A longer biography of Pastor Biermann is available on csl.edu.
He has helped produce material for congregational small group Bible studies (Help for the Hurried Life, Questions About). He also has worked on similar study material through Lutheran Hour Ministries (Who Am I, What Am I Doing Here?, Fatherhood, We the People, A Man Named Martin) and provided discussion questions and answers for a series of men’s Bible study books through Concordia Publishing House (Blessed is the Man).
He has authored four books: “Day 7: for Work, Rest, or Play” (CPH, 2024), “Wholly Citizens” (Fortress, 2017); “A Case for Character” (Fortress, 2014); and “Courageous Fathers of the Bible” (Concordia Publishing House (CPH), 2011).
Biermann is a frequent speaker at LCMS District and congregational gatherings and conferences, where he covers a variety of topics, especially those relating to issues of discipleship, Christian formation, vocation, work and leisure (“rest”), as well as church and state issues.
Biermann and his wife, Jeannalee, have three adult children who are all graduates of Concordia Seminary. Jasmine and Justine are both Master of Arts (M.A.) graduates and Jess is a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) graduate and is currently working on his Ph.D. at the Seminary. They also have 11 grandchildren. A longer biography of Pastor Biermann is available on csl.edu.
Dr. Samuel Eatherton is Kantor and Assistant Professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary, where he holds the Kreft Chair for Music Arts. He most recently served parishes in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and Dallas, Texas as Kantor and teacher. Sam and his wife Lois, also a commissioned church worker, have five children. A longer biography of Dr. Eatherton is available on csl.edu.
Patti Miller was installed as Village's Deaconess in February 2023. Deaconess Miller graduated from Auburn University with a B.A. degree in Visual Art. In May 2022 Patti graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne with an M.A. in Deaconess Studies. She has worked as a director in childcare and senior care settings. She has also worked in the communications field for LCMS congregations and Lutheran Women in Mission. As an artist, Patti creates acrylic paintings on wood as well as digital designs that tell of God's great love for all people in Christ. She and her husband, George, who were high school sweethearts, have been married 37 years and are originally from Fairhope, Alabama. They have three married adult children and seven grandchildren. Playing and singing with her grandchildren, reading, painting, and all outdoor activities are some of her favorite things to do.
