Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Practical Theology
Director, Student Life, Practical Theology
Dr. Peter Nafzger is assistant professor of Practical Theology and director of Student Life at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He has been a faculty member since 2016.
He previously served as a guest instructor for Concordia Seminary through the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program, teaching courses on creedal themes, Lutheran Confessions, Lutheran distinctions. He also taught on the Lutheran Confessions as an adjunct professor at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn. (2010–11).
From 2007 to 2016, he was the sole pastor of New Life Church—Lutheran in Hugo, Minn. During his time in Minnesota, he served the Minnesota South District of the LCMS as the chair of its Continuing Education Committee. He has been deeply involved in the LCMS Youth Gathering as Bible Study director (2007–19), Executive Team member (since 2010), and Theological Advisor (since 2019).
His areas of interest include the theology of the Word of God, which includes the theology of preaching and the nature and function of the Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions, and the purpose and practice of confirmation and youth ministry.
He is the author of These Are Written: Toward a Cruciform Theology of Scripture (Wipf and Stock/Pickwick Publications, 2013), the Lenten sermon series The Gospel in Seven Words (Concordia Seminary Press, 2018) and “The Preacher as Worldmaker: Reflections on the Nature and Purpose of Christian Preaching” in Concordia Journal (2019). He has authored numerous Bible studies for the LCMS Office of the President and LCMS Youth Ministry, and writes a regular homiletical reflection for an online preaching resource called “Craft of Preaching.”
Nafzger holds a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from Concordia Seminary (2004, 2009). He also participated in an international study program at Lutherische Theologische Hochschule in Oberursel, Germany (2001–02). He holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in behavioral science from Concordia University, Nebraska, Seward (1999).
Nafzger serves as the head coach for the Preachers basketball team at Concordia Seminary. With his family, he enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, playing German board games, and watching World Cup soccer and March Madness. He is married to Katie, who serves as women’s coordinator for Families in Transition at Concordia Seminary. They have four children, Olivia, Johann, August and Louisa.
Theology of the Word of God
Theology of preaching
Nature and function of the Scriptures
Lutheran Confessions
Purpose and practice of confirmation and youth ministry