Rev. Dr. Mark D. Rockenbach

Dr. Mark Rockenbach is professor of Practical Theology, director of personal growth and leadership development, director of the institutional review board and director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

He has been a faculty member since 2014. His areas of expertise include pastoral care, Christian counseling, gender dysphoria, forgiveness and reconciliation, congregational conflict and congregational field research.

Before joining the Seminary, Rockenbach served as pastor of First Trinity Lutheran Church in Beatrice, Neb. (1998-2006). He also has served as a vacancy pastor at other congregations in Kansas and Nebraska. From 2005 to 2014, he served as an adjunct professor at Concordia University, Nebraska in Seward and at Concordia University, Wisconsin in Mequon.

He received his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Concordia Seminary (1998). He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Concordia University, Nebraska (1994); a Master of Arts (M.A.) from Doane College (2005); and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minn. (2014).

In addition to his Seminary work, he has served The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) as a hearing facilitator since 2005. He also served as a conflict intervention team member for Ambassadors of Reconciliation in Billings, Mont., and worked as an executive for the LCMS Nebraska District for church worker health and reconciliation (2006-14).

He is a regular speaker at conferences presenting on a variety of topics, including conflict reconciliation, “The Practical Theological Framework,” “Care for Souls as a Seelsorge,” “Unforgivable? How God’s Forgiveness Transforms our Lives” and “Godly Response to Gender Dysphoria.” He and his wife, Darlene, have three children; Joshua, Rachel and Andrew.

Interests:

Practical Theology
Pastoral care
Christian counseling
Forgiveness and reconciliation
Congregational conflict