Seated in the front pew, the First Couple seemed to marvel in the august moment. Next to him, his wife Mary, a district judge for Dakota County, looked at her husband as the service began, gave a him a can-you-believe-this smile and squeezed his hand.

Senior pastor Leith Anderson said in his welcome, “Today is the inauguration of the Honorable Timothy James Pawlenty, an inauguration that not only is an acknowledgment of our leaders but also an acknowledgement of our God.”

While recent headlines predict a “formidable forecast” for the new governor, Pawlenty, along with the congregation, confidently sang the words of a hymn, Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed thy hand has provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, and Psalm 121, Where does my help come from? My help comes from the maker of heaven and earth. One can’t help but wonder if Pawlenty will claim these words during his governorship as he faces the state’s $4.56 billion projected deficit and his vow to not raise taxes. Terry Francis, Program Director for boys and men at Minnesota Teen Challenge, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program in Minneapolis, directed his send-off to Pawlenty with sincerity. “We want to stand in prayer every day for you, Governor-elect.”

Albert Quie, governor of the state from 1979-1983 reminded him of the words Pawlenty looked at every day during the ten years he was in the House of Representatives and then as House Majority Leader: Vox Populi…Vox Dei. Voice of People, Voice of God. “In these words I feel both tension and unity, tension because in a republic, the supreme authority lies with the people…but Jesus said, ‘All authority in heaven and earth lies in me,’” Quie said. “In a pluralistic society these two words must co-exist together: Justice and love. Government cannot love, only people can love.” He cited justice, tax and revenue, and educating people as government’s role but compelled the audience to participate in their roles as well. “Love brings unity,” Quie said, who like Pawlenty, ran as a Republican. “Love causes people who are at odds with each other to come together for the good of the state.” He finished his remarks with this prayer, “We pray [Pawlenty] will be a man after Your own heart. May Governor Pawlenty await Your grace with confidence. May justice and love meet together just as our fingers are now doing.”

Pastor Leith Anderson brought up the notion that government is “God’s idea.” Attributing his remarks to Romans 13:1 The authorities that exist have been established by God, Anderson stated that, “those in government are the agents of God doing the work of God.” He went on to say that God wants His people to live peaceably and that if a government is run well, it allows “people to live out their lives with the blessings of God.”

Anderson caused a chuckle from the congregation with his reference to the New Testament. “Last night I read through two books and felt like they were supposed to be part of today’s message. There’s so much about St. Paul and his friend, Timothy,” Anderson said. “There are two New Testament books to Timothy…and then I thought perhaps that’s because there will be two terms?”

Anderson finished the rite-of-passage service for his famous parishioner with words found in St. Paul’s letters to Timothy. “Fight the good fight.” Anderson, who married the Pawlentys and has known Mary Pawlenty since she was a teenager, encouraged the young governor, age 42, not to, “let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example,” and finished with Paul’s words to Timothy, “The Lord be with your spirit.” He then presented the Governor and First Lady with two Inauguration Day Bibles, directing the parting benediction to God. “May Your hand be on our government to pursue Your wisdom and fulfill Your will.”

—Julie Saffrin is a freelance writer in Excelsior, Minnesota. She can be reached at julie@juliesaffrin.com.

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