Concordia Seminary’s 162nd academic year began with the addition of two new full-time faculty members and a guest instructor from Germany. Dr. David L. Adams will serve as director of educational technology and associate professor of exegetical theology, and Rev. Kent J. Burreson will serve as instructor of systematic theology. For the fall quarter only, Dr. Werner Klän, professor fur Kirchengeschichte at the Lutherische Theologische Hochschule in Oberursel, will serve as guest professor of historical theology.

Adams will lead the Seminary’s efforts to make greater use of modern technological advancements in the formation of future pastors, missionaries and chaplains. He also will serve as a resource for the entire Seminary faculty and others in the Seminary community. Adams currently serves as the executive director of the Office of Government Information of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) in Washington, D.C. and assistant to the president of the LCMS for government affairs.

“This call to the Seminary gives me the opportunity to serve the church by doing two things that I love: teaching the Gospel in the Old Testament and helping others to learn to use technology to communicate that Gospel to the world,” said Dr. Adams. “As much as I enjoy both Hebrew and technology for themselves, the greatest joy in any gift comes when its fullest meaning is revealed in the service of Christ. I am excited about joining the Seminary community and working with members of the faculty to help use technology to enhance the theological education and pastoral formation of our students.”

Adams’ previous service in the LCMS includes five years of teaching experience as a member of the Concordia College, Ann Arbor, faculty where he also served as director of pre-seminary studies. He taught courses in philosophy, Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, as well as a variety of other theology courses. Prior to this, he served as manager of microcomputer services for the LCMS office of information systems and was pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Caseyville, Ill. Adams received his master of divinity and master of sacred theology degrees from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1981 and 1982 respectively. In 1985, he received a doctor of philosophy degree from Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, with an emphasis in Old Testament studies.

Rev. Burreson received his bachelor of arts degree from Valparaiso University in 1988, his master of divinity (1992) and master of sacred theology degrees (1994) from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and his master of arts degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame in 1997. He will complete his doctor of philosophy degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame in October. Rev. Burreson’s areas of academic interest include liturgical studies, history of Christianity and sacramental theology. His dissertation topic is “The Saving Flood – The Origins and Development of the Sixteenth Century Lutheran Baptismal Rites.” He has served as assistant pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Mishawaka, Ind., since 1999. He also has served as assistant to the pastor at St. Peter from 1996-1999.

“Concordia Seminary is blessed with a strong faculty—professors who are outstanding scholars, dedicated teachers and committed to formation for pastoral ministry,” said Dr. John F. Johnson, president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. “Pastor Burreson shares those characteristics, and we are delighted that the Lord of the church has led him to join us.”

Dr. Werner Klän, a professor at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Germany’s church body which is in fellowship with The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church (Selbständige Evangelisch – Lutherische Kirche (SELK)), is teaching church history at Concordia Seminary during the fall quarter. Dr. Klän received his doctoral degree and an advanced degree of higher standing than a doctoral degree from the Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität in Muenster, Germany. He served as an instructor at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Oberursel from 1982-85, a pastor in Muenster from 1985-87, and an assistant professor at Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität in Muenster from 1987-91. In 1993, he renewed his service at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Oberursel as occupant of its chair in systematic theology and since 1996, he has served as professor of church history there.

Concordia Seminary’s faculty now numbers 38 full-time members. More than 75% have received doctoral degrees in their areas of teaching responsibility and an additional 5% are engaged in doctoral programs at this time. In addition, they average nine years of experience as pastors, missionaries and chaplains in The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

For more information, contact Rev. Glen Thomas, vice president for seminary relations, Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, Mo., 63105; 314-505-7371; thomasg@csl.edu.