Tributes

Milton B. Engebretson

December 29, 1920 — December 10, 1996

When Milton Engebretson died, my pastor died. When life's journey led me into dark and stormy weather, I realized I needed a pastor. Who pastors a pastor? Milt pastored me.

Milt was elected to his first term as President of the Covenant Church while I was in seminary. I remember his broad smile and his obvious enthusiasm when he came to speak. Skeptical about people who seem too enthusiastic, I wondered if he was for real. Extolling good, hard work, he said we should be in our studies very early in the morning for study and prayer. We would be fresh and undistracted and members would be impressed by the study light in the morning darkness. I asked, "But President Engebretson, some of us are night people, would it be all right if we had a timer turn the study light on at six a.m.?" Milt smiled, then laughed. We all laughed.

He paid me a visit in Lindsborg, Kansas, my first parish. I was a little nervous, but he put me at ease immediately and by the time he left, I felt he was truly interested in me, Later, on my first Sunday in charge in Stambaugh, Michigan, I stood looking out the window at the people coming to church. Up the sidewalk came President Milton Engebretson. I shivered with panic, but like an answer to pray, the words: "Well, he puts on his pants one leg at a time just like me," flitted into my brain. After the service, he smiled that Milton smile, shot out his arm, and said: "It was really great to be here this morning."

Delightful times followed with Milt and Rhoda at their place at nearby Hagerman Lake. After I joined some men to organize a flying club, Milt would say: "Sometime I'll have to take you up in areal airplane." Finally, I said: "Milt, you've been saying that for two years, I think you're afraid I'll hijack the Covenant plane to Cuba" He smiled. "Just wait," he said.

A few weeks later, he called. He asked me to meet him at "Stambaugh International." As we flew, he told me his war stories. Then, smiling all the way, he made the hottest, steepest landing I had ever experienced. I thanked him for the ride and for helping me get things right between me and my maker.

Later as pastor in Northbrook Illinois, Milt and I would meet at "official" functions and he always engaged me personally. Then storm clouds began to gather — my marriage was in crisis. I needed some advice and asked Milt if we could have lunch.

It was a horribly hard appointment for me, He listened intently as I told him my wife was moving out. I was afraid I would lose my marriage and my job. In the midst of the chaos spinning around me, I knew I could trust Milt. No broad smile now, he said he would talk to some of the church leaders and to the superintendent. Divorce became imminent, At another lunch Milt said: "As a kid riding horses in North Dakota, when I came to a river, I dropped the reins and let the horse have control." In his gentle way, he helped me see what I could not control. He pastored me through this time.

President Engebretson made many trips and had many lunches with pastors who were in trouble. He was not afraid to help you face the truth and he did not minimize the issues. For others, as for me, he was an incarnation of grace — an agent of redemption.

When Milt was diagnosed with cancer, he and Rhoda were my parishioners at Edgebrook Covenant. I visited him in the hospital and, at times, sat with him while the chemicals dripped into his arm. He remained hopeful, positive, and helpful, Milt spent more time with Rhoda and kept working, loving his church, and loving people.

My guess is, that when he saw the Lord of all creation, Milt smiled broadly and said: "It's really great to see you!" Clearly, Milt loved the Lord and because of that love, he loved so many of us. He was a beloved pastor and more than a president, a bishop of souls.

- Phil Stenberg

I encountered Milton Engebretson many times during my tenure at North Park College and at Grace Covenant Church in Stambaugh, Michigan, His infectious smile and engaging manner were always warm and friendly. I was impressed with his navigational knowledge and mastery of flying. His zest for life, his love for Christ's Kingdom, and his interest in people were truly remarkable.

Our last meeting this past summer, outside the new West End Pasty Shop in Iron River is still fresh in my memory. I pulled into the parking lot just as Milton was approaching his car with a bag of hot pasties. We stood and talked briefly, and he seemed to be doing well, In the course of our conversation, Milton mentioned his great appreciation for Pietisten — he read and enjoyed every issue. I said we would like to have an article from him; he smiled, but made no promise. We'll have to wait for a posthumous word.

The following obituary by Walter Persson, former President of the Swedish Covenant Church, is translated from Sändaren, No. 4, January 23, 1997.

- Elder Lindahl

AMERICAN CHURCH LEADER DIES

Milton B. Engebretson passed away December 19 after a long illness. From 1967 to 1986 he was President of the Evangelical Covenant Church of America, the church which stands closest to the Swedish Covenant.

Engebretson was born in 1920 in North Dakota, where he grew up and was instructed in the Christian Faith in the Lutheran Church. After studies at the University of Washington and North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, he was ordained in 1956 as a Covenant Pastor. He served as pastor in several congregations and was elected denominational secretary in 1962. In 1967, he was elected its seventh president.

Engebretson was cheerful and spirited, had unbounded energy, a strong will, and the ability to create and sustain relationships. As a young boy, he earned a living trapping skunks, washing the nasty smelling hides, and selling them to a fur dealer. Later, when he was a student, he worked as a carpenter.

In 1974, he was awarded the Swedish Royal Order of the North Star. From 1971, he was the leader of the American Church Leaders Association. After his retirement in 1986, he became the coordinator for this group, which every year brought Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Evangelical church leaders together. He participated with the 10 church leaders who annually met at the Congress, and was very active, known and respected among the leaders of American Christendom. From 1978 to 86, Engebretson was president of the International Federation of Free Evangelical Churches. It was there that I worked together with him as the Federation's secretary and eventually succeeded him.

His optimism and wisdom meant much in leading this organization through economic and other crises. Many in Sweden came to know him through his recurring visits here. He spoke Norwegian, and understood Swedish well.

Engebretson had an immense appetite for life and fellowship with God. It was a joy to be one of his true friends. In his generosity, he invited me to meet American Church leaders. When his friend, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, himself seriously sick, heard that Engebrehon's cancer had returned, he wrote and reminded Milton that they had a chance to go home at the same time. That was a testimony to the Christian sibling love which he showed and attracted.

For many years, he flew his Bonanza airplane with joy and expertise. One time, when we gyrated about in a storm, Milton sat calmly at the controls and reminded us that the weather system was like God's grace and love. We came neither over nor under, but right through it, and landed safe and sound on the home airstrip.

With sadness, but before all else, with thankfulness to the Lord for a good friend and Christian servant, we, as his friends and fellow workers, radiate peace over Milton B. Engebretson's memory. Our thoughts and prayers embrace also his wife, Rhoda, and his two sons, Jon and Donn, and their families.

- Elder Lindahl, translator