Concordia University, Nebraska awarded Dr. Dale A. Meyer, president emeritus at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at the university’s honors dinner Friday, May 8. This honorary degree is awarded to individuals who have provided prolonged superior service in their field of endeavor.

“Through this honorary doctorate, we give thanks to God at work in the faith and life of Dr. Dale Meyer, a partner in the Gospel who joyfully proclaims God’s love in Christ, and who invested years helping to form the next generation of workers for the harvest,” said Concordia University, Nebraska President Dr. Bernard Bull.

Meyer served Concordia Seminary for 15 years as Seminary president. He retired in 2020. He first joined the Seminary faculty as a guest instructor, serving from 1979-81. He then served as an assistant professor from 1981-84. In 2001, he rejoined the faculty and served as professor of Practical Thelogy. He was elected president in 2005.

After graduating from Concordia Seminary with his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in 1973, Meyer served his first call as pastor of St. Salvator Lutheran Church, Venedy, Ill., and St. Peter Lutheran Church, New Memphis, Ill., 1974-81. After his initial teaching stints at the Seminary, Meyer was called to serve as senior pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Collinsville, Ill., where he served from 1984-88.

Meyer then served at Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) as Speaker of “The Lutheran Hour”radio program from 1989-2001. He also hosted LHM’s national television show “On Main Street” through 2003. In 2001, LHM received Emmy awards from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences St. Louis/Mid-America chapter for two “On Main Street” episodes.

In addition, Meyer has served The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in many other capacities, including serving as third vice-president of the LCMS from 1995-98, as a charter board member of the Association of Lutheran Older Adults (ALOA), as a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Bible Society from 2001-13, as an honorary director of God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society and as a member of the LCMS’ Standing Committee on Pastoral Ministry.

Meyer also has made many literary contributions, including writing numerous sermons and columns for LHM, authoring preaching and devotional resources for Concordia Publishing House, contributing to theological publications including the Seminary’s Concordia Journal, and publishing two books – his devotional “Timely Reflections: A Minute a Day” in 2014 and a volume of his sermons, “Word Alive!,” in 2018 – and more.

His academic accomplishments include earning a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in classical languages from Washington University in St. Louis (1973, 1986). He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind.,  in 1993 and an honorary Doctor of Laws from Concordia Seminary in 2021.

“This honor surprised me,” said Meyer. “I can only hope that my preaching and teaching has pointed to our Lord Jesus, imperfectly to be sure. He is the Lord of the church. The church is not its own lord. My purpose now is the future, that coming generations will be heart and soul for Jesus.”

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). To learn more, visit csl.edu.