POCATELLO — After nearly 20 years of service, Grace Lutheran Senior Pastor Jonathan Dinger has announced he will retire from his position in June.

Dinger said his official retirement date is Tuesday, June 30. James Von Busch will be his replacement, but Dinger will still be involved with the church while Von Busch transitions into his new role.

“He’ll become the senior pastor right away, but we’ll still be working together,” Dinger said. “It’s like a relay race. You have that passing lane where you pass the baton.”

There will be a retirement celebration for Dinger and his wife in June, but he wants his congregation to know he’ll still be around if they need him.

“I’m not dying,” Dinger said. “I’m not leaving.”

Some of Dinger’s favorite parts about being the senior pastor are watching people grow in their faith. He also loves being part of events such as baptisms and weddings.

“Even funerals,” Dinger said. “You’re invited to some of the most challenging moments in people’s lives and you give them care and comfort.”

Under Dinger’s leadership, Grace Lutheran saw expansion in its school and church. The early childhood center and high school were built during his service.

“We expanded our sanctuary and added a chapel that allowed us to serve more people and families,” Dinger said. “The partnership with the school has been a joy.”

Before he became a pastor, Dinger was a high school teacher at a Lutheran high school in Seattle. While he was teaching, he found he was having a greater impact on the parents of his students. He would sit with them during games and talk and pray with them at parent-teacher conferences.

“My principal said to me ‘you need to go to seminary and become a pastor,’” Dinger said. “You need to minister to more than just the high school kids.”

Dinger ministered to families of all sizes during his time as a pastor. He said some families had only one member, and others had 10. His responsibility for all of them was to help them grow in their faith.

“I think we’ve tried to honor Our Lord,” Dinger said. “We’re not big on the church being a fake place. It needs to be honest and transparent. We’ve tried to do that too.”

Dinger said Von Busch will be a good replacement for him. He was Dinger’s associate for a few years before moving to Rupert for five years and then being called back for this new position.

“I’m really excited for him,” Dinger said.

The best advice Dinger can give Von Busch is to love people and help them understand the Bible. He said the work can be difficult but becomes simpler over time.

“My advice is to put Jesus Christ at the center of whatever you’re doing, whether it’s preaching, solving conflict, celebrating a marriage or standing at the cemetery,” Dinger said. “Don’t lift yourself up. Lift up Jesus.”