Five faculty members were installed as occupants of three new endowed chairs during the Seminary’s Opening Service in September in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus.

Dr. James W. Voelz, graduate professor of exegetical theology, was installed as the
first occupant of the Dr. Jack Dean Kingsbury Chair of New Testament Theology.

Dr. Jack Dean Kingsbury (’59), a prominent New Testament scholar who lives in Wilmore, Ky., established the chair to ensure “biblical, Christ-centered theology of the Lutheran church to continue in its pastors through academic excellence at the Seminary,” according to endowment documents.

Seminary President Dr. Dale A. Meyer, top left, and Provost Jeffrey Kloha, bottom right, stand
with the five new endowed chairs, two faculty and one new staff member after the Opening Service. They include, bottom row from left: Rev. Laokouxang (Kou) Seying, the Lutheran Foundation Professor of Urban and Cross-Cultural Ministry; Dr. David R. Maxwell, Louis A. Fincke and Anna B. Shine Professor of Systematic Theology; and James F. Marriott, director of musical arts. Top row from left: Dr. James W. Voelz, the Dr. Jack Dean Kingsbury Professor of New Testament Theology; Dr. Mark Seifrid, professor of exegetical theology; Dr. Kent J. Burreson, the Louis A. Fincke and Anna B. Shine Professor of Systematic Theology; Dr. Charles P. Arand, the Eugene E. and Nell S. Fincke Graduate Professor of Theology; and Dr. Robert Rosin, the Eugene E. and Nell S. Fincke Graduate Professor of Theology.

Professor emeritus of biblical theology at Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, Va., Kingsbury is considered an expert on Matthew and the other Synoptic Gospels. His work was among the earliest in the modern period to promote a literary approach to Gospel studies, rather than a source-critical approach. He was Concordia Seminary’s first outside scholar to be invited to teach its regularly presented “Major Figures” Ph.D. seminar. His books include The Christology of Mark’s Gospel, Matthew as Story, Conflict in Mark, Conflict in Luke, and Matthew (Proclamation Commentary).

“Jack Dean Kingsbury is among the few true giants in the field of New Testament studies, and he has been an inspiration to me personally for more than three decades,” Voelz said. “Words fail adequately to express what a pleasure and an honor it is to be the first occupant of the Dr. Jack Dean Kingsbury Chair of New Testament Theology and thus to be associated both with him and with his outstanding scholarship.”

Voelz delivered the first Dr. Jack Dean Kingsbury Lecture in New Testament Theology, “Return to the Text: Literary Criticism and Beyond,” Sept. 22 at the Seminary.

Dr. Charles P. Arand, professor of systematic theology, dean of theological research and publications, and director of the Center for the Care of Creation, and Dr. Robert Rosin, professor of historical theology, were installed as Eugene E. and Nell S. Fincke Graduate Professors of Theology.

Dr. Kent J. Burreson, associate professor of systematic theology and dean of the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus, and Dr. David R. Maxwell, director of the graduate school and an associate professor of systematic theology, were installed as Louis A. Fincke and Anna B. Shine Professors of Systematic Theology.

Eugene E. Fincke, who faithfully served the Seminary as a member of the Board of Control, 1959-77, and his wife, Nell. S. Fincke, established the Eugene E. and Nell S. Fincke Graduate Chair of Theology and the Louis A. Fincke and Anna B. Shine Chair of Systematic Theology to “advance the cause of orthodox
biblical and confessional Lutheranism,” according to endowment documents.

Dr. Dale A. Meyer, pictured in his office on campus, became Concordia Seminary’s 10th president in 2005.

Dr. Dale A. Meyer said: “Two things especially impress me about the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Fincke. First is their commitment to a strong future for solid biblical and Lutheran teaching. Second is their foresight for the future. Anticipating the day they would be called to heaven, they provided for Gospel ministry for generations to come. Those who follow us need to know Jesus!

“How humbled and motivated we are by their gift for our Savior’s mission.”

The Board of Regents of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis voted to extend President Dale A. Meyer’s service through 2020 during its regular meeting held Aug. 14 at Concordia Publishing House.

The vote took place after the Board received a review of Meyer’s performance from Rev. Hal Senkbeil, review committee chair, per the Handbook of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The Handbook requires a review of seminary presidents every five years.

The Board appointed Meyer interim president beginning in November 2004 and, with three other electors,
chose him as 10th president in May 2005.

“The input we received through our review process from within and outside of the Seminary community has confirmed what our Board has learned firsthand: Dr. Meyer is a great president,’’ said Senkbeil and Board Chair Rev. Ralph Blomenberg in a joint comment. “He is a respected scholar, preacher, leader, teacher and churchman.

“The full range of responses we received all provide helpful insights leading toward even greater effectiveness in the years ahead. Dr. Meyer and his wife, Diane, have contributed greatly to the vibrancy of our Seminary community. We are delighted that he will continue to lead the Seminary, helping form pastors and servants with a passion for the mission our Lord Jesus has given to His Church in these difficult times, giving hope and life in Christ.”

Highlights of Meyer’s tenure include the elimination of the Seminary’s long-term debt and the expansion of the endowment from $43 million to $113 million.

Except for the recession year of 2008-09, the Seminary has shown surpluses every fiscal year.

The Seminary earned high marks from its 2014 accreditation visits and received several civic awards, most recently being named one of the top 100 work places in metropolitan St. Louis.

The Generations Campaign, with the goal of renovating the library and further building endowment, launched in September. (See related story on Page 15.) With a conscious focus on the future, the faculty is involved in the first thorough revision of the Master of Divinity curriculum in decades.

“I am thankful to the Board of Regents,” Meyer said. “This job is humbling. It’s humbling because it’s hard, often worrisome work, but it’s also humbling to labor with people who have a passion for the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Our faculty and staff are the ones who make things happen under God’s grace, and the Seminary’s faithful supporters are a constant encouragement. Thank you! To me it’s all about Ps. 115:1.

I believe nothing is more important for our Seminary and Church than to live in the fear and love of God. For the rest of my formal ministry and until I see my Savior face-to-face, I have no stronger desire than to serve Him through His mission at Concordia Seminary.”