Dr. John F. Johnson, president and professor of systematic theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, has received a call to serve as president of Concordia University, River Forest, Ill. According to agreed-upon procedures, his decision to accept or decline the call must be rendered within 14 days. He is the ninth president of Concordia Seminary and has served The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) for almost 30 years.

“The decision confronting Dr. Johnson is obviously one that has great significance for Concordia Seminary and Concordia University, River Forest,” commented Rev. Glen Thomas, the Seminary’s vice president for seminary relations. “I know I speak for Dr. Johnson in requesting prayers for guidance as he seeks to discern God’s will concerning his future service.”

Johnson was installed as the president and professor of systematic theology of Concordia Seminary in 1990. Prior to that, he served as president of Concordia College (now University), St. Paul, Minn. (1989-90) and as academic dean (1986-89), chairman of the systematic theology department (1981-86) and professor of systematic theology (1977-89) at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He also has served in pastoral positions for Lutheran congregations in Fort Worth, Texas, and Ellisville, Mo. He has been a member of the Division of Theological Studies of The Lutheran Council in the U.S.A., the LCMS Board for Mission Services, the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations and the LCMS Standing Committee on Pastoral Ministry for the Board for Higher Education.

Johnson received the doctor of philosophy degree from St. Louis University, the doctor of theology degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, the master of arts degree from Texas Christian University, the master of divinity degree from Vanderbilt University and the bachelor of science degree from Arkansas State University. He also has done graduate study at Princeton Theological Seminary and The Catholic University of America.

For more information, contact Communications, Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105; 314.505.7374; communications@csl.edu.