Pastor Nominating Committee recommendation

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St. Luke welcomes Rev. Dr. Kristin Riegel and her family

The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) unanimously and enthusiastically recommends Kristin Riegel as our new pastor/head of staff. Kristin is:

  • a thought-provoking and energizing preacher;

  • committed to inspiring social justice action in the context of a Christian community;

  • a collaborative and motivational leader for both staff and volunteers;

  • comfortable to be around, easily approachable, and an attentive listener; and

  • excited to move to the Twin Cities and be at St. Luke.

Kristin’s résumé

2006–2010  Bachelor of Arts at Macalester College

2010–2013  Master of Divinity at McCormick Theological Seminary

2013–2015  Resident Minister at First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, MI (college town with more than 1,500 members)

2015–2025  Associate Pastor at Second Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, MO (urban, 401–650 members). Called to be Interim Head of Staff for six months during a transition.

2018–2022  Doctor of Educational Ministry at Columbia Theological Seminary

More about Kristin

Kristin’s husband, Mark, an attorney, and her 2-year-old son, Philip, will also be moving to the Twin Cities.

In their free time, the family enjoys hiking, exploring local parks and playgrounds, cooking, and traveling, especially to the North Shore.

Kristin is familiar with the area. She attended Macalester as an undergraduate and spent memorable summers at her grandparents’ cabin on Lake Superior.

She is excited about the opportunity to move closer to her brother, extended family, and college friends who live in the area.

Join us to meet Kristin on Sunday, April 27

  • 9:15 a.m.    Meet Kristin at a pre-service coffee hour.

  • 10:30 a.m.  Kristin will preach at the worship service.

  • 11:30 a.m.  We will hold a congregational meeting to vote on the PNC’s unanimous recommendation to call Rev. Dr. Kristin Riegel as pastor/head of staff of St. Luke Presbyterian Church.

Is Kristin committed to social activism?

“In my sermons and teaching, I intentionally center the voices of women, LGBTQIA+ folx, and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities as a means of amplifying their voices and decentering whiteness. I also regularly partner with people and organizations of color on programs, workshops, and justice initiatives. As a pastor, I have also helped Second Presbyterian to engage in anti-racism work as a predominantly white congregation . . . led workshops on LGBTQIA+ issues and inclusion and led environmental stewardship initiatives for children, families, and adults.”

How does Kristin describe her faith?

“In Jesus Christ, God showed us radical love. Jesus preached hope and practiced abundance. He responded to criticism with compassion and countered fear with fearless love. Jesus threw open his arms to embrace the world and invite people—disabled and abled, rich and poor, male and female, young and old—to follow him on the path of justice and joy, reminding them that God’s love was deep and wide and meant for them. In his death and resurrection, Jesus showed the power and hope of God’s love. The Bible is a source of holy wisdom. We read scripture to learn about God, ourselves, and the world, both as it is and as it could be. The Bible’s stories invite us to ask questions, to think critically, and to remain open to the ways God continues to speak.”

What does the St. Luke staff think about Kristin?

“I think that Kristin is just the kind of leader that St. Luke needs. I’m delighted with her selection.” —David Lohman, Minister of Music and Worship

“I found her personable and thoughtful, with a warm presence, and I liked hearing her thoughts on how staff and clergy work together to support the church. I’m excited for this new chapter for St. Luke!” —Doug Freeman, Administration & Communications Manager

How does Kristin feel about St. Luke?

“My pastoral call is one of loving people, seeking justice, and building transformative communities. I am excited to partner with a congregation that feels called to do the same. I am enthused when St. Luke describes the congregation as being theologically oriented toward a ‘liberation of the oppressed’ and committed to engaging in justice for and with marginalized communities. St. Luke’s recognition that we are interconnected with one another and creation was particularly moving as it spoke to my own deeply held belief that our liberation is intertwined. I am also enthused by St. Luke’s expansive language for God and emphasis on spiritual journey. I am attracted to St. Luke’s emphasis on intergenerational relationships, building community, and outreach, as these are priorities that I also have in my ministry. Like St. Luke, I believe that now is a time for the church to engage in risk-taking and bold action.”