ELCA's Largest Seminary Appoints New President
Luther Seminary (LS), the largest of eight Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)-affiliated seminaries, found its eighth president on May 2, 2005.
Luther Seminary (LS), the largest of eight seminaries affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), found its eighth president on May 2, 2005.
The Luther Seminary Board of Directors and Foundation Board of Trustees voted unanimously for the election of Dr. Richard H. Bliese, who currently serves as the seminary's dean of academic affiars.
"The Search Committee was impressed with Dr. Bliese’s experience and credentials,” said Dr. Susan Jenkins, chair of Luther Seminary’s Board of Directors. “He has served in parish ministry in Germany, Zaire, and the United States.”
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Speaking of Bliese during his service as academic dean at Luther, Jenkin said, “Dr. Bliese showed himself to be an energetic and dedicated worker, committed to Luther Seminary's mission to prepare leaders for the church."
"He understands the importance of the connection between Luther Seminary and the ELCA, and that the Seminary’s mission with the ELCA is to serve Christ’s church in the world. We are excited that Dr. Bliese will be able to further the mission, work, and growth of the Seminary.”
Bliese, age 49, learned of his new appointment on Monday morning - following the daily chapel service.
“I feel both excited and honored to be at Luther Seminary at this time in its history,” Bliese had said. "The Seminary is healthy, rich in human resources and postured for growth.
"The ELCA needs more and better-prepared leaders for an apostolic age of mission in a world of many cultures and religions. This is key to Lutheran congregational renewal in North America. We are ready to move into this promising future.”
Bliese will assume presidency over the St. Paul, Minn. campus on July 1, 2005, according to a press release by the seminary. When in office, Bliese will succeed the incumbent president Rev. David L. Tiede.
Bleise was first drawn to the seminary in July 2003 by its world-mission-oriented strategic plan, and joined the faculty as academic dean and associate professor of mission.
As academic dean he has worked with the faculty to “strengthen key initiatives including biblical preaching and worship; children, youth and family ministry; congregational mission and leadership; and the Center for Lifelong Learning.”
According to Dr. Paul Dovre, chair of the search committee and member of the Seminary’s Board of Directors, Bliese "best fits the expectations and competencies document that was approved by our Boards.
“He possesses gifts as a pastoral leader and as an educational, theological, public and administrative leader. He is passionate about the mission of Luther Seminary and will lead with vision, intelligence and understanding,” Dovr said.
Bliese’s gifts and expertise fits with the Seminary’s calling to serve the church in mission across the street and around the world
He is an experienced pastor, missionary, teacher, administrator and scholar and has particular experience in the areas of church development and redevelopment.
“Dr. Bliese engages audiences and small groups with his clear excitement about and commitment to the mission of the Seminary,” said Janet Anderson, chair of Luther Seminary’s Foundation Board of Trustees. “I appreciate his zeal for the Seminary’s role in mission while holding fast to the Lutheran confessions.
“I look forward to partnering with him to tell the story of this special place to donors, alumni/ae, lay people and the wider church. He understands the importance of the Foundation to the financial health of Luther Seminary. His enthusiasm is contagious.”
After completing his undergrad studies in Wright State University, he earned his M. Div. degree from Christ Seminary-Seminex, St. Louis, Mo., in 1981. Interestingly, his first call to pastoral ministry led him to Germany, where he served at a Lutheran church for four years. Then he accepted a position with the United Evangelists Missions in Germany as director of the continuing education program for pastors and evangelists in Zaire and Rwanda.
His overseas mission continued as he ministered to a small urban congregation in Bukavu, Zaire from 1986-90 as he focused on directing educational programs in School for Evangelists in Zaire and Rwanda.
When he returned to the U.S. after his ten-year mission abroad, he earned a master of theology in 19th and 20th century theology (1992) and a Ph.D. in confessional theology (1995) from LSTC.
In addition to his distinguished teaching and pastoral career, Bliese has led mission and evangelism seminars and workshops as an independent consultant, administrated the Hein-Fry Lecture Series, and served as president of the Center for World Christian Interaction.
Prior to joining Luther Seminary, Bliese served as the director of graduate studies and as the Augustana Heritage associate professor of global mission and evangelism at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). He simultaneously served as a part-time pastor at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Glenwood, Ill.
He has published articles throughout the world and co-edited The Dictionary of Mission: Theology, History, Perspectives (1997). He is also the co-editor of The Evangelizing Church: A Lutheran Contribution (2005).
Bliese and his wife, Nina Bliese, are parents of two children, Aaron and Stephanie - both whom are now college students.
