May 21, 2005 Print This Article

Dr. Dale A. Meyer Accepts Seminary Presidential Call

Dr. Dale A. Meyer, interim president, professor of practical theology and occupant of the Gregg H. Benidt Memorial Chair of Homiletics and Literature, has accepted the call to serve as the 10th president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Meyer announced his acceptance of the call on May 20 during the Seminary’s Commencement exercises.

“Our service at Concordia Seminary reflects the mind of Christ. We move forward with eyes fixed on the One who says ‘Follow Me,’” stated Meyer. “Mindful of my weaknesses, I accept your call to be the 10th president of Concordia Seminary. ‘Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.’” His announcement was met with a standing ovation from the graduates and hundreds of guests who filled the Seminary’s main quadrangle for the 2005 Commencement exercises.

Meyer has served as interim president of Concordia Seminary since November 2004. He received the bachelor of arts degree from Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1969. He also received the master of divinity degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (1973), the doctor of philosophy degree from Washington University, St. Louis (1986), and an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. (1993). He served as pastor of congregations in Illinois from 1974 to 1988. He served as speaker of the Lutheran Hour radio program from 1989-2001. He joined the Seminary faculty in from 1981 to 1984 and again in 2001. He also has served the church-at-large as in various administrative positions, including service as third vice president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod from 1995 to 1998. He has hosted the television program “On Main Street” since 1994. He and his wife, Diane, have two daughters.

The call was extended on May 11 following a day of interviews and deliberation on the Seminary campus by designated electors. According to the Bylaws of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, each candidate was asked “to pledge, if called, to render a decision within 15 days upon receipt of the call.”

For more information, contact Seminary Relations, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; (314) 505-7370; semrelations@csl.edu. A full collection of news releases related to the presidential election is available at www.csl.edu/NewPresident.htm.