Rev. David W. Wollenburg has accepted the divine call issued him to serve as associate professor of practical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Wollenburg will teach courses in the areas of pastoral theology, education and preaching for those who are preparing to serve as pastors in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He began his Seminary responsibilities on June 1.

Wollenburg brings an extensive record of pastoral experience to his faculty position at Concordia Seminary. A graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, he received his master of divinity degree in 1971 and a master of sacred theology degree in 1984, with a major in Christian education and counseling. He has served as pastor of Hope Lutheran Church, Grayling, Mich., St. James Lutheran Church, Quincy, Ill., Timothy Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Mo., and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Crossville, Tenn.

His chaplaincy experience includes active duty with the United States Air Force at Norton Air Force Base, Cal., (1977-79), at McChord Air Force Base with the 25th Air Force Division of NORAD (1979-80) and at the Air National Guard Professional Military Education Center, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Tenn. (1987-96). He also has served in a reservist capacity with the Missouri Air National Guard at Jefferson Barracks and Lambert Field, both in St. Louis, Mo. He retired in September 1999 with the rank of colonel after serving in a reservist capacity for three years at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.

"Pastor Wollenburg possesses a breadth of pastoral experience spanning both parish ministry and military chaplaincy in addition to his advanced studies in Christian education, counseling and homiletics," commented Dr. Andrew Bartelt, vice president for academic affairs at Concordia Seminary. "As a retired colonel in the Air Force Reserves, he will be a valuable resource for our students who have an interest in military chaplaincy. His profound understanding of confessional Lutheran theology relates not only to the needs of parish ministry, but also to many of the larger questions that are confronting our church today. I am confident that he will have a very positive impact on the formation of pastoral candidates entrusted to us, especially as we seek to expand our service to our church."

Wollenburg brings the Concordia Seminary faculty to 40 full-time professors. More than 80% of the faculty members have earned terminal academic degrees in their areas of instruction and the faculty members average more than 10 years of pastoral ministry experience prior to their teaching responsibilities at Concordia Seminary. The faculty is recognized throughout the world for its combination of theological scholarship and inspiring classroom instruction. It's members have authored dozens of books and journal articles in recent years, addressing a wide array of subjects. In addition, they are in demand as speakers at conferences and conventions throughout the world. Additional information concerning the Concordia Seminary faculty is available on the Seminary's Web site at www.csl.edu/Faculty.htm. A "Speakers Directory" listing individual faculty members and subjects they regularly address as conference and convention speakers is available at www.csl.edu/speakers.htm.

For more information concerning Concordia Seminary, please contact the Communications Department at Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105; 314.505.7375; communications@csl.edu.