Pastor Daren S. Dietmeier
Pastor Daren S. Dietmeier, a native of Ridott, Illinois and a graduate of Pecatonica High School,
Illinois, began service as pastor of Trinity Presbyterian of Aledo on November 1 st , 2001. Prior to
his arrival in Aledo, Pastor Dietmeier served as interim senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church
(PCA) of Prattville, Alabama, where he also served as Assistant Pastor of Administration from
August 1 st , 1999 until October 31 st , 2001.
Pastor Dietmeier is a graduate of Birmingham Theological Seminary, Birmingham, Alabama. He
also holds a Master's Degree in Human Resources Management from Troy State University of
Montgomery (Alabama) and a Bachelor's Degree in Education, Training and Development
(Magna Cum Laude) from Southern Illinois University. Before his ordination to the pastoral ministry
through Southeast Alabama Presbytery in July 1999, Pastor Dietmeier served as a ruling elder and
deacon in the Presbyterian Church of America. Pastor Dietmeier is a veteran of the United States
Air Force where he served for more than 20 years, having attained the highest enlisted rank of
Chief Master Sergeant. He retired from active duty on Aug. 1 st , 1999 with the rank of Senior
Master Sergeant.
Here is a personal welcome from Pastor Dietmeier:
Thank you for your interest in Trinity Presbyterian Church! I sincerely hope your contact with us
doesn't consist solely of a web site visit - we would hope you join us for worship this coming
Sunday at 10:30 AM. We are the only Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) congregation in the
Quad Cities area, located just 30 minutes south of Rock Island in Aledo, Illinois, the "City of Pride
and Progress" and the county seat of Mercer County.
Since you've made it to this page, you likely have a desire to worship and serve with a biblical
congregation that desires to exalt Jesus Christ. I pattern my philosophy of ministry after the Apostle
Paul, who determined to know Jesus Christ and Him crucified among the people to whom he
ministered in Corinth (I Corinthians 2:1-5). Further, the Scriptures teach that Almighty God has
gifted each member of the church of Jesus Christ for ministry through the church. In
Ephesians 4:11 & 12, we see that the church has been gifted with pastors to equip the membership
for the work of ministry and the building up of the body of Christ. I am absolutely convinced that
God has called me to do just that here at Trinity. Perhaps He's calling you to be a part of His work
here, too?
Won't you give serious consideration to joining a worshipping, serving body of believers in Jesus
Christ this coming Sunday? I'm certain you'll be refreshed to know that a congregation exists in this
area that believes in the sovereignty of God in the salvation of His people and that this sovereign
God speaks to His Church through His Word. We desire to exalt the King and Head of the
Church -- Jesus Christ -- in everything we do, think, and say. Please contact us via email, telephone,
or a personal visit if there's anything we might be able to do to assist you in your growth in grace.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Daren Dietmeier
Pastor's Ponderings
"And He (Jesus) said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to
God the things that are God's.” – The Gospel According to Matthew 22:21
With Election Day (November 4 th ) just over 2 months from now, I'm taking the opportunity to
ponder in the September, October, and November newsletters and share some exhortations about
voting as God's people.
As Christian Americans, it is our duty to vote. Even most non-Christians I know would agree with
me that our most basic duty as American citizens is to exercise our right to vote
for our public leaders.
Yet, for the Christian, not to vote is actually sin . Strong words? Yes, but they are Biblical truth.
When Jesus said the words above (in Matthew 22:21), He meant that we are to render unto the
state whatever it is our responsibility as citizens of the state to render. In our nation, that would
include, at the minimum that we should vote. In so doing we accomplish both our patriotic duty as
American citizens, and our biblical duty as heavenly citizens.
So, whom should we vote for? You won't find a chapter or verse in the Holy Bible, which says that
Christians should belong to a particular political party. Nor, are the names of the candidates this
year written in Holy Scripture. But some timeless principles are laid down in Scripture that we as
followers of Christ must keep in mind as we vote.
As citizens of the kingdom of heaven, we should consider who is best for the advancement of that
kingdom of heaven here on earth . That's how our Lord Jesus Christ would approach this.
Jesus was not a selfish person. He came to earth not to be served, but to serve. He would not
have voted for candidates promising the most benefit for self (lining my wallet). Not only would
Jesus not vote this way, neither would the "father of our nation", George Washington
vote that way. Did you know that for the 8 years George Washington served this nation as
president he never drew a paycheck for his public service?
Sir Alexander Fraser Tytler (1742-1813), a Scottish jurist, historian, and professor of Universal
History at Edinburgh University, in the late 18th century recorded this observation: "A democracy
cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that
they can vote themselves money from the Public Treasury. From that moment on the majority
always votes for candidates promising the most benefits from the Public Treasury with the result
that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy and is always followed by dictatorship."
For the sake of God, and our future as a nation, stop voting selfishly if that has been your habit,
and don't ever start if it hasn't been!
Before I get too far down the road, I should back up and say this. Christian friend, in order to cast
your vote, you must first be registered to vote . If you are at least 18 years of age, and a
professing believer in Jesus Christ, you are being irresponsible if you are not registered to vote.
To register yourself or your children to vote, see Mr. Bob Vickrey. He will ensure that you are
registered, but it must be done by October 7 th . Give him a call today. Get registered to vote,
and then go out and vote on Tuesday, November 4 th . Vote for the candidates who will do the
most to advance God's kingdom here on earth .
Next month, we'll explore that responsibility more deeply. We'll look at a couple of particular issues
that Scripture clearly addresses - life, environment, and war.
Meantime, see you Sunday! Pastor Daren
