Pastor & Leadership
Pastor – Pastor Kurt Christenson
The Rev. Kurt Robert Christenson holds a BA in Philosophy and English from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN 1983, and received his MDiv from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, CA 1988.
He was ordained into the ministry of the ELCA by Bishop J. Roger Anderson at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Los Angeles on August 13, 1989. He served two congregations in redevelopment, supported by the ELCA Division for Outreach, now Renewing Congregations: Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Ojai, CA 1989-1998 and Bethesda Lutheran Church, Springfield, MA 1999-2006. He served as the Interim at Lutheran Church of the Master, Lancaster, CA 2007-2008 and the Senior Pastor of Salem Lutheran Church and School 2008-2018.
Professional & Staff
Bill Engel
Director of Music
William Engel, Director of Music and the Arts at First Lutheran, is a long time faculty member at the New York School of Interior Design where he currently teaches online in the BFA and MFA Programs. He is a practicing Visual Artist and has a Studio in Hillcrest. Those who sing or play instruments are welcome at our program of music at First!
Brian Jensen
Worship Technician
Wayne Boss
Facility & Security Director
Erin Pfaff
Church Administrator
Erin joins our office ministry as a new member of FLC and a recent transplant to the greatest city in the US! In addition to her office role at FLC, she is a teacher educator, board game fanatic, and enjoys traveling, hiking, and flying trapeze.
2022 Church Council
Paul Engel
President
Paul is a retired nurse anesthetist, and currently sings in 3 choirs throughout the year, all based in San Diego. At Christmas time, that jumps to 4 choirs! I’ve never slept, ate, or exercised better in my life. Retirement is good!
Joe Slevcove
Vice President
Joe and Beth Slevcove have been attending First Lutheran Church since 2002, and have raised their two teenage kids here. Joe has worked as a high school drama teacher and director, and is currently back being a grad student in the SDSU Theatre Department. Beth is a Hospice Chaplain (and surfer).
Allison Emery
Secretary
Richard Phillips
Treasurer
Anke Hartung
Financial Secretary
Kara Oien
TACO Liaison
Mary Ann Horton
David Pohl