The electors charged with calling the next president of Concordia Seminary will resume the search at a virtual meeting set for 1 p.m. CDT Tuesday, June 2.
A call [1] was extended May 16 but was declined [2] earlier this week. Thus, in accordance with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Bylaws, the Seminary’s Board of Regents has called this meeting of the electors and, as prescribed in the Bylaws, will either reissue that call, elect another person from the remaining five finalists [3], create a new slate from the original assembly of nominees [4] or issue a new call for candidates.
The electors, who will make the determination on how to proceed, are:
- The Seminary’s Board of Regents (voting collectively as one)
- Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, president of the LCMS
- Dr. John Wille, president of the LCMS South Wisconsin District and who serves as the LCMS district president elected to the Seminary’s Board of Regents
- Dr. Michael Kumm, chairman of the LCMS Board of Directors
“In many respects, this is exactly like what congregations go through all the time. We do our best work as we are able, call the man we believe is the right fit, and then wait and see what the Lord’s will is. Sometimes it is what we expect, and sometimes not. We are all learning that lesson right now,” said Rev. Todd A. Peperkorn, chairman of the Seminary’s Board of Regents. “So the electors will meet next week, pray, consider our options according to the Bylaws, and agree on the best course forward for Concordia Seminary. We continue to ask for your prayers and counsel as we continue this process, and pray that God will continue to give us light and wisdom.”
The new president will succeed Dr. Dale A. Meyer [5], who will retire June 30.
Updates related to the presidential election are available at csl.edu/president-search [6].
About Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) [7]. To learn more, visit csl.edu [8].