Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), one of two seminaries of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), initiated a search last fall for a new president to succeed Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr., who will be retiring from the presidency at the end of the 2023–2024 academic year after serving thirteen years in the office. CTSFW’s seventeenth president will serve as the spiritual, academic, and administrative head of the Seminary and in that role will be instrumental in advancing the seminary’s mission to teach the faithful, reach the lost, and care for all.
FORT WAYNE, Ind., May 18, 2024 — The Board of Regents of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), has called Dr. Jon S. Bruss, associate professor of systematic theology, to serve as the Seminary’s seventeenth president after his unanimous election by the designated electors.
Dr. Scott Murray, chairman of the CTSFW Board of Regents, announced the call shortly after the election in a livestreamed prayer service in Kramer Chapel the morning of May 18.
“As the board chair, I can say that we have elected a faithful candidate who will lead the seminary into the future that God has mapped out for it,” said Murray. “Dr. Bruss comes with superb gifts and experience for this leadership challenge. The electors found that the men on the slate of candidates were unparalleled in their quality, capacity and gifts, making the choice of the electors exciting and inspiring. The board pledges its full support to Dr. Bruss, and we ask for the prayers of the church that Concordia Theological Seminary would continue to be your Christ-centered seminary that teaches the faithful, reaches the lost, and cares for all.”
Dr. Bruss will be making the transition to his new role over the summer and will be installed Sunday, September 8 at the opening service of 2024–2025 academic year. As he assumes the duties of the presidency, please keep Dr. Bruss, his family, and the Seminary in your prayers.
For previous news about the election, see “Presidential Search News” on this page.
Update April 16, 2024: The following individuals, all faculty members at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), have been named to the final slate of candidates to be considered for election as the seventeenth president of CTSFW.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology
Professor of Exegetical Theology
Provost
Associate Editor of Concordia Theological Quarterly
Professor of Systematic Theology
Director of DMin Program
Assistant Provost
Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions
Director of Vicarage and Internship
Director of Residential Pastoral Formation Programs
These four candidates were selected from the list of nineteen nominees who allowed their names to stand for consideration, with input from the Presidential Search Committee, which has now concluded its work. The final slate was established at a meeting of the electors: the CTSFW Board of Regents (each voting individually), Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola (the district president representing the LCMS Council of Presidents on the CTSFW Board), Mr. Christian Preus (chairman of the LCMS Board of Directors), and Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison (president of the Synod).
The election of the president, which requires three of the four elector votes (with the Board of Regents casting one vote as a group), is scheduled for May 18, 2024. A public announcement of the election results and the issuance of a call will be made promptly following the election.
Anyone wishing to offer comments about any of the candidates (according to Synod Bylaw 3.10.5.6.2 [c]) is asked to contact Board Secretary Rev. William Cwirla at presidentialsearch@ctsfw.edu by May 10, 2024.
The new president will succeed Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr., who will retire from the presidency at the end of the 2023–2024 academic year and return full-time to his role as CTSFW professor of historical theology.
For previous news about the election, see “Presidential Search News” on this page.
Nominations for president of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), closed December 31, 2023. Forty-two individuals were nominated for the office by congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), the CTSFW Board of Regents, and the CTSFW faculty, per Synod bylaws. The following nineteen nominees have allowed their names to stand for consideration:
In the next phase of the search, the Presidential Search Committee will evaluate each of the nominees and recommend at least five candidates from the list to the electors for consideration prior to the presidential election, which will take place May 18, 2024. Anyone wishing to offer comments about any of the nominees or ask questions about the search may do so by contacting the search committee secretary, Rev. William Cwirla, at presidentialsearch@ctsfw.edu.
With thanks for their diligence in carrying out their duties.
Six voting members and one alternate
Three voting members and one alternate
Founded in 1846, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, forms servants of Jesus Christ in a vibrant, Christ-centered theological community known for its long history of distinctively Lutheran teaching, practice, and worship. Guided by an unwavering commitment to scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, CTSFW engages and resources the church and world, domestically and internationally, as a seminary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Founded in 1846, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, forms servants of Jesus Christ in a vibrant, Christ-centered theological community known for its long history of distinctively Lutheran teaching, practice, and worship. Guided by an unwavering commitment to scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, CTSFW engages and resources the church and world, domestically and internationally, as a seminary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), one of two seminaries of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), initiated a search last fall for a new president to succeed Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr., who will be retiring from the presidency at the end of the 2023–2024 academic year after serving thirteen years in the office. CTSFW’s seventeenth president will serve as the spiritual, academic, and administrative head of the Seminary and in that role will be instrumental in advancing the seminary’s mission to teach the faithful, reach the lost, and care for all.
FORT WAYNE, Ind., May 18, 2024 — The Board of Regents of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), has called Dr. Jon S. Bruss, associate professor of systematic theology, to serve as the Seminary’s seventeenth president after his unanimous election by the designated electors.
Dr. Scott Murray, chairman of the CTSFW Board of Regents, announced the call shortly after the election in a livestreamed prayer service in Kramer Chapel the morning of May 18.
“As the board chair, I can say that we have elected a faithful candidate who will lead the seminary into the future that God has mapped out for it,” said Murray. “Dr. Bruss comes with superb gifts and experience for this leadership challenge. The electors found that the men on the slate of candidates were unparalleled in their quality, capacity and gifts, making the choice of the electors exciting and inspiring. The board pledges its full support to Dr. Bruss, and we ask for the prayers of the church that Concordia Theological Seminary would continue to be your Christ-centered seminary that teaches the faithful, reaches the lost, and cares for all.”
Dr. Bruss will be making the transition to his new role over the summer and will be installed Sunday, September 8 at the opening service of 2024–2025 academic year. As he assumes the duties of the presidency, please keep Dr. Bruss, his family, and the Seminary in your prayers.
For previous news about the election, see “Presidential Search News” on this page.
Update April 16, 2024: The following individuals, all faculty members at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), have been named to the final slate of candidates to be considered for election as the seventeenth president of CTSFW.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology
Professor of Systematic Theology
Director of DMin Program
Assistant Provost
Professor of Exegetical Theology
Provost
Associate Editor of Concordia Theological Quarterly
Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions
Director of Vicarage and Internship
Director of Residential Pastoral Formation Programs
These four candidates were selected from the list of nineteen nominees who allowed their names to stand for consideration, with input from the Presidential Search Committee, which has now concluded its work. The final slate was established at a meeting of the electors: the CTSFW Board of Regents (each voting individually), Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola (the district president representing the LCMS Council of Presidents on the CTSFW Board), Mr. Christian Preus (chairman of the LCMS Board of Directors), and Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison (president of the Synod).
The election of the president, which requires three of the four elector votes (with the Board of Regents casting one vote as a group), is scheduled for May 18, 2024. A public announcement of the election results and the issuance of a call will be made promptly following the election.
Anyone wishing to offer comments about any of the candidates (according to Synod Bylaw 3.10.5.6.2c) is asked to contact Board Secretary Rev. William Cwirla at presidentialsearch@ctsfw.edu by May 10, 2024.
The new president will succeed Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr., who will retire from the presidency at the end of the 2023–2024 academic year and return full-time to his role as CTSFW professor of historical theology.
For previous news about the election, see “Presidential Search News” on this page.
With thanks for their diligence in carrying out their duties.
Six voting members and one alternate
Three voting members and one alternate
Founded in 1846, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, forms servants of Jesus Christ in a vibrant, Christ-centered theological community known for its long history of distinctively Lutheran teaching, practice, and worship. Guided by an unwavering commitment to scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, CTSFW engages and resources the church and world, domestically and internationally, as a seminary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.