Pastor Paul Brenner

Photo by Vince Donovan
Pastor Paul R. Brenner, M.Div., M. Mu., is a graduate of Northwestern University, Evanston, Il, Concordia Theological Seminary and Gestalt Therapy Institute of Miami, Fl. With 30 years of leadership in the hospice movement, serving programs in Jacksonville, Florida, West Palm Beach, Florida, Rockville, Md. and Jacob Perlow Hospice at Beth Israel Medical Center, New York City, Paul developed an innovative national program of All Inclusive Care for Children and Their Families; The the first Palliative Care program for Persons living with Alzheimer's Disease; the first hospice program for the Deaf; the first Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care in a Medical Center; and is widely published in the field of palliative and hospice care. Paul has also served ten years as pastor of a Lutheran inner city parish in Jacksonville, Florida, and also served as an interim pastor in that community.

Currently a member of St. Francis Lutheran Church in San Francisco, where he serves as a member of the church council and substitute organist, Paul has also served on the Worship Committee, the Board of the Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center, the St. Vincent de Paul Committee, facilitated the Adult Study Group for over two years, served as an interim pastor for a year and a half during St. Francis' vacancy, and sings in the choir. A motet he composed was sung by the Men and Boys choir of St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Leipzig, Germany. Presently he volunteers in the Creative Healing Project, a program with his son, Matthew, which provides art experiences for children and teens diagnosed with potentially life threatening medical conditions. Paul is our first member of the ELM roster from the LCMS tradition. ELM now officially rosters members of the ELCA, ELCIC and LCMS.