Dr. Dale Meyer has accepted the divine call issued him by Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, to serve as professor of practical theology and to occupy the Gregg H. Benidt Chair in Homiletics and Literature. This endowed faculty chair was established in 1997 by a generous family in order to provide preaching resources for pastors in The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) as it enhances Concordia's curriculum to form pastors for the church. Meyer began his new responsibilities at Concordia Seminary on May 1.

"I've loved my work with Lutheran Hour Ministries, where the goal is to help the local congregation," commented Meyer. "My new calling can bring me into a closer servant relationship with the local congregation and especially with its pastor. The greatest work of the kingdom is done in those congregations and so I'm thrilled and energized by my new challenge."

As the Gregg H. Benidt Memorial Professor, Meyer will teach courses in homiletics and provide resources and leadership for the wider church through seminars, lectures, and workshops on preaching and communication. "Established in 1997, the Gregg H. Benidt Memorial Chair in Homiletics and Literature has been a tremendous blessing to Concordia Seminary and the church at large," commented Dr. John F. Johnson, president of Concordia Seminary. "Dr. Meyer is uniquely suited to fulfill its primary objectives of preparing future pastors for the awesome task and privilege of preaching and to offer resources to further enhance the skills of those already in pastoral ministry."

"Rev. Dale Meyer brings a high level of respect, integrity and experience to his new responsibilities on our faculty," commented Dr. Andrew Bartelt, vice president for academic affairs at Concordia Seminary. "He is recognized throughout our synod and beyond as an outstanding preacher, churchman and scholar. At the same time, he clearly understands the importance of sound education in the formation of good preaching in our next generation of pastors. A grateful church will receive the blessings of his instruction and leadership for years to come."

Most recently, Meyer has served as speaker for the world-renowned "Lutheran Hour" radio program, a position he occupied since 1988. He will continue to serve as host of the national television show, "On Main Street," which he has hosted since 1994.

Prior to his service at Lutheran Hour Ministries, Meyer was senior pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Collinsville, Ill., from 1984 to 1988. He served on the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis faculty from 1981 to 1984. He also served as pastor of St. Salvator and St. Peter Lutheran Churches, Venedy and New Memphis, Ill., from 1974 to 1981.

Meyer served the church at large as secretary and vice president in the Southern Illinois District of the LCMS from 1977-1988; as a member on the LCMS Standing Committee on the Pastoral Ministry from 1987 to 1991; and as third vice president of the LCMS from 1995 to 1998.

Meyer received his M.Div. degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1973 and holds the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in classics from Washington University, St. Louis. He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. He is the author of numerous journal articles, essays and published sermons.

For more information, contact Seminary Relations, Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105; 314.505.7370; [email protected].