Professor of Practical Theology, Practical Theology
Dean of Faculty, Dean of Faculty
Alumni Relations Adviser, Alumni Relations
Dr. David Peter is professor of Practical Theology and dean of faculty at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
Peter has been a faculty member since 1998. He served as chairman of the Department of Practical Theology from 2010 to 2018. He formerly served as the director of the Doctor of Ministry program (1998-2013).
His areas of interest include the dynamics of pastoral leadership in different sizes of congregations. He also works to support pastors and lay leaders of mid-sized congregations to engage in the challenges and opportunities distinctive of that congregational size. He also specializes in good preaching, especially that which demonstrates the characteristics of biblical exposition.
Peter teaches courses in homiletics, pastoral ministry, pastoral leadership, parish administration and Old Testament survey at the pre-seminary, Master of Divinity, distance certification and doctoral levels.
Before joining the Seminary, Peter served as a visiting instructor of theology at Concordia University in Nebraska, Seward (1987-88). He also served as associate pastor at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Peoria, Ill., from 1988-95 and then as senior pastor from 1995-98.
Peter received his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Concordia Seminary (1987). He also has a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb. (1982) and a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill. (1999).
Peter recently published Maximizing the Midsize Church: Effective Leadership for Fruitful Mission and Ministry (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2018).
He has also published Bible study resources for congregations through The Lutheran Church−Missouri Synod, and several sermons and devotional resources through Creative Communications for the Parish and Concordia Seminary. Peter has published Christ Our Passover Lenten Sermon Series for Concordia Publishing House (CPH, 1994) and contributed a collection of essays in Preaching Is Worship (CPH, 2011). He has published articles in Concordia Journal, Concordia Pulpit Resources, The Servant and Issues in Christian Education, and has led seminars on the book of Revelation.
Peter and his wife, Tonya, have two sons. His personal interests include home and yard improvement, running, playing piano, hiking and camping.
Dynamics of pastoral leadership in different sizes of congregations
Supporting pastors and lay leaders of mid-sized congregations