Pastor Benjamin Tomczak

Benjamin Joseph Tomczak, the son of Frank and Kristine Tomczak, was born on April 15, 1980, in Monroe, Michigan. God gave him new birth into the Holy Christian Church through the washing of Baptism on May 25, 1980, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (Monroe).

Pastor Tomczak attended Zion’s parish school and was confirmed in 1994. He enrolled at one of our Synod’s worker training schools and embarked upon the “normal” path to pastoral ministry in the Wisconsin Synod: prep high school, college, seminary, call day. On call day the Lord of the Church assigned Pastor Tomczak to a parish in the Dallas suburbs, and in 2013 he accepted a call to a parish in western Sioux Falls, South Dakota (see below for academic and ministry background).

Tomczak Family at Bethel

In 2006, Pastor Tomczak married Kristen (née Scharf), whom he met on the church softball team at Zion. Kristen taught for seven years at Zion along with Pastor Tomczak’s father. Kristen grew up in New Ulm, Minnesota, where she attended Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School and Martin Luther College. She also did graduate work at Eastern Michigan University, studying history. Pastor and Kristen have four children: Katherine, Samuel, Hannah, and Rachel. In their free time, the Tomczaks love watching and playing sports, playing cards, and talking about history, politics, and sports.

Pastor Tomczak enjoys reading and study. When he’s reading theology, he especially enjoys church history, focusing on Luther studies and American Lutheranism. He also enjoys reading about the history of the papacy. Overall, he enjoys reading theology, church history, history in general, politics, and historical fiction. He’ll also read regular fiction now and again. His favorite book is whatever he’s reading at the moment.

Writing also appeals to Pastor Tomczak. In high school, college, and seminary, he worked on student papers, magazines, or journals, also serving as a student editor. While at Martin Luther College he worked as a sports writer for the New Ulm Journal. As a parish pastor he has had the opportunity to present at various conferences and symposia.

Papers, Presentations, and Podcasts

Academic Background

  • 1994-1998 – Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, MI
  • 1998-2002 – Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN, B.A.
  • 2002-2006 – Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI, M.Div
  • 2009 – Hebrew Institute, MLC
  • 2011-2013 – STM courses, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
  • 2014 – “Liturgical Calendar,” Sioux Falls Seminary

Ministry Background

  • 2004-2005 – Living Savior Lutheran Church, Asheville, NC, vicar
  • 2006-2013 – St. Mark Lutheran Church, Duncanville, TX, pastor
  • 2013-present – Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church and School, Sioux Falls, SD, pastor

Other Church Service

  • 2007-11, LWMS Spiritual Growth Pastor, Red River Circuit
  • 2008-13, Essay Committee, South Central District
  • 2008-13, Secretary, South Central Pastors Conference
  • 2008-13, Member, Michigan Lutheran Seminary Governing Board
  • 2008-14, Book Reviewer, Northwestern Publishing House, non-proprietary books
  • 2009-13, Secretary, South Central District
  • 2011, 2013, 2014, 2022 – Contributing author, Meditations
  • 2012, Contributor, “Report of the 102,” for the Translation Evaluation Committee
  • 2012-present, Book Reviewer, Shepherd’s Study: Continuing Education Blog for Busy Pastors
  • 2013-present, member, Commission on Inter-Church Relations
  • 2013-2014, blogger, Bread for Beggars
  • 2014-2015, Member, Literature Committee, WELS Hymnal Project
  • 2014-2022, District Worship Committee, Dakota-Montana District
  • 2022-present, Secretary, Dakota-Montana District
  • 2022, Contributor, The Preachers Podcast