Dr. David Peter (’87) will serve as the faculty adviser to Alumni Relations with a two-year term beginning Sept. 1, 2017, and running through Aug. 31, 2019. His role will be an active one that involves the process of representing the Seminary’s interests relative to the functions of the Alumni Relations unit and the volunteer Alumni Council.

We are so happy to have him in this role. Peter is associate professor of Practical Theology and chairman of the Department of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary. He teaches courses in homiletics (preaching), pastoral leadership, parish administration and pastoral ministry. He also directs the dissertation process for students in the Doctor of Ministry Program.

Before joining the Seminary faculty in 1998, Peter served as pastor for more than a decade at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Peoria, Ill. At different times since 1998, he has served as the vacancy pastor of three Lutheran congregations (currently at St. John Lutheran Church in St. James, Mo.). Peter is married to Tonya (nee Kirst). They have two sons: Ethan and Benjamin.

Peter’s interest is in the dynamics of pastoral leadership in different sizes of congregations. He has a special interest in helping pastors and lay leaders of medium congregations to engage in the challenges and opportunities distinctive to that size. His book, Maximizing the Midsize Church, will be published in 2018. He is interested in helping the organizational structures of congregations and their strategic direction become more missional while remaining faithful to God’s Word. He also is concerned about good preaching, especially that which demonstrates the characteristics of solid biblical exposition.

Peter has published preaching and worship resources through Concordia Publishing House, Creative Communications for the Parish and Concordia Seminary Press.

He has published articles in Concordia Journal, Concordia Pulpit Resources, The Servant and Issues in Christian Education.