Official notice: Candidates for seminary president

On April 16, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), announced the final slate of candidates to be considered for the upcoming election of the 17th CTSFW president:

Rev. Dr. Jon S. Bruss, CTSFW associate professor of Systematic Theology;

Rev. Dr. Charles A. Gieschen, CTSFW provost, professor of Exegetical Theology and associate editor of Concordia Theological Quarterly;

Rev. Dr. Gifford A. Grobien, CTSFW assistant provost, professor of Systematic Theology and director of the CTSFW Doctor of Ministry program; and

Rev. Dr. Todd A. Peperkorn, assistant professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions, director of Vicarage and Internship and director of Residential Pastoral Formation.

These candidates were selected from the list of 19 nominees who allowed their names to stand for consideration. The final slate was established by the electors: the CTSFW Board of Regents (each voting individually), the Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola (the district president representing the LCMS Council of Presidents on the CTSFW board), Christian Preus (chairman of the LCMS Board of Directors), and the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison (president of the Synod).

“I would like to thank the CTSFW Presidential Search Committee for their work,” commented CTSFW Board Chairman Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray. “I ask you to keep the candidates, the electors and your seminary in prayer as we complete the final steps in the presidential search process.”

Anyone wishing to offer comments about any of the candidates (according to Synod Bylaw 3.10.5.6.2 [c]) is asked to contact CTSFW Board Secretary Rev. William Cwirla at presidentialsearch@ctsfw.edu by May 10, 2024.

The election of the president, which requires three of the four elector votes (with the Board of Regents voting as a group), is scheduled for May 18. A public announcement of the election results and the issuance of a call will be made promptly following the election.

The new president will succeed the Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr., who will retire from the presidency at the end of the 2023–2024 academic year and return full time to his role as CTSFW professor of Historical Theology.

For updates on the presidential search, visit ctsfw.edu/presidential-search.

Posted May 1, 2024