Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (Missoula, Mont.)

From its initial meeting in 1955, Prince of Peace (fondly called POP) has been a small but active congregation, which seems to have as a part of its ministry the call to be innovative in its participation in religious as well as social events. POP seems to take seriously the call to spread the Gospel of Peace; whether it be to members of its own community in order to hang together during times of conflict within; whether it be continuing to meet on Sundays where there is no Pastor to guide them; or whether it be the installation of a woman as Pastor.

POP has a reputation of being “the first to…” : share facilities with a Roman Catholic parish, sponsor Vietnamese refugees, pass peace resolutions, call a woman, and so on. POP has accepted and met the challenge to spread the Good News in a changing world without compromising that Good News.

There are many challenges ahead for POP, but there is always time for a kind and loving word to visitors and long-time members alike. There is a sense of a growing family at POP where people smile and love through disagreements, and celebrate the active living of a Church dedicated to doing things Christ’s way.