Pastor O’Brien continuing to be a spiritual leader for others.
In today’s world, the call into ministry could be a hard choice to make for some people. The call could come as a teenager or when one already has a full-time career. For Interim Pastor Tom O’Brien of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Burlington Township, his call came at a young age.
“I felt the spirit calling me into ministry when I was 10 years old, but I honestly had other ideas,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien was born in Trenton and moved to Willingboro in 1984. After working 31 years at PSE&G, O’Brien was ordained in 2005 at the Lutheran Theological Center in Philadelphia. His family remains in Willingboro, while O’Brien stays in Burlington Township.
After serving at Grace Lutheran Church in Freehold, O’Brien took over as an interim pastor at Holy Trinity on Sept 11, 2016.
“I have been involved with the church since a young age, including my years as a Catholic school student as a kid,” O’Brien said. “After many conversations with my pastor and bishop, I decided to go to the seminary in 2000.”
Other than his daily duties as a spiritual leader at Holy Trinity, O’Brien is an adviser for Shina Inc. based out of Washington, D.C. The non-profit organization’s mission is to promote, encourage and foster better understanding between the United States and abroad. He also enjoys singing, reading, listening to music and playing golf when he isn’t helping others.
One big issue churches worldwide have today is decreasing attendance, due to members taking part in other activities. O’Brien feels the church has changed since his younger years.
“The biggest change is that people don’t look at going to church as a need anymore. I feel they need to give back to God,” O’Brien said.
Past generations may have attended church services as an entire family each week, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. Today, churches have closed due to financial problems and low attendance, something O’Brien feels could change with a shift in focus.
“In today’s world, we need to communicate to all generations. I remember years ago we had to try and bring the young people into church, but now we may lose some seniors due to the changing communication and technology,” O’Brien said. “We need a way to bring everyone together as one combined church to worship God.”
The 69-year-old O’Brien praises his church however for its “great social ministry.”
“Our youth group is continuing to improve, with sometimes close to 50 teenagers getting together for events,” O’Brien said. “I hope we all can work together regardless of denomination to make a difference in others’ lives.”
For more information regarding Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, its worship services or O’Brien, visit www.holytrinityelc.org/index.php or call (609) 387–1202.
