May 3, 2005

CHICAGO – The Rev. Richard H. Bliese will become president of Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., on July 1. The seminary's board of directors and Foundation board of trustees elected Bliese, 49, on May 2 to succeed the Rev. David L. Tiede. Luther is one of eight seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

"I feel both excited and honored to be at Luther Seminary at this time in its history," said Bliese. "The seminary is healthy, rich in human resources and postured for growth. The ELCA needs more and better prepared leaders for an apostolic age of mission in a world of many cultures and religions. This is key to Lutheran congregational renewal in North America. We are ready to move into this promising future."

Bliese "understands the importance of the connection between Luther Seminary and the ELCA, and that the seminary's mission with the ELCA is to serve Christ's Church in the world. We are excited that Dr. Bliese will be able to further the mission, work and growth of the seminary," said Dr. Susan C. Jenkins, chair of Luther Seminary's board of directors.

"The search committee was impressed with Dr. Bliese's experience and credentials," Jenkins said. "He has served in parish ministry in Germany, Zaire and the United States."

Bliese currently serves as the seminary's dean of academic affairs and associate professor of missions.

"During his time as academic dean at Luther Seminary, Dr. Bliese has shown himself to be an energetic and dedicated worker, committed to Luther Seminary's mission to prepare leaders for the church," Jenkins said.

"We were blessed to have many leading Lutheran theological leaders and scholars emerge as candidates," said Dr. Paul J. Dovre, chair of the search committee and member of the seminary's board of directors.

Bliese "possesses gifts as a pastoral leader and as an educational, theological, public and administrative leader. He is passionate about the mission of Luther Seminary and will lead with vision, intelligence and understanding," Dovre said.

"Dr. Bliese engages audiences and small groups with his clear excitement about and commitment to the mission of the seminary," said Janet Anderson, chair of Luther Seminary Foundation board of trustees. "I appreciate his zeal for the seminary's role in mission while holding fast to the Lutheran confessions.

In July 2003 Bliese joined the seminary faculty as academic dean and associate professor of mission. As academic dean he has worked with the faculty to strengthen key initiatives, including biblical preaching and worship; children, youth and family ministry; congregational mission and leadership; and the Center for Lifelong Learning.

Prior to joining Luther Seminary, Bliese served as the director of graduate studies and as the Augustana Heritage associate professor of global mission and evangelism at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). While at LSTC, he served as a part-time pastor at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Glenwood, Ill.

A graduate of Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, Bliese earned his master of divinity degree from Christ Seminary Seminex, St. Louis, in 1981. His first call as an ordained pastor was to St. Stephanus Lutheran Church in Herne, Germany. After serving four years he accepted a position with the United Evangelists Missions in Germany as director of the continuing education program for pastors and evangelists in Zaire and Rwanda. From 1986 to 1990 he ministered to a small urban congregation in Bukavu, Zaire, and focused on directing continuing education programs at the Centre D'Accueil Protestante (C.A.P.) Ecumenical Center, School for Evangelists in Zaire and Rwanda. He established C.A.P. schools of music, evangelism and language, and co-founded a regional development office for research and technical assistance.

After 10 years overseas he returned to the United States and earned a master of theology in 19th and 20th century theology in 1992, and a doctorate in confessional theology from LSTC in 1995.

In addition to his teaching and pastoral career, Bliese has led mission and evangelism seminars and workshops as an independent consultant, administered the Hein-Fry Lecture Series, and served as president of the Center for World Christian Interaction. He has published articles throughout the world and co-edited The Dictionary of Mission: Theology, History, Perspectives (1997). He is also co-editor of The Evangelizing Church: A Lutheran Contribution (2005).

Bliese is married to Nina Bliese. They are the parents of two children, presently attending colleges.

Tiede announced Oct. 25 that he plans to retire June 30 as president of Luther Seminary. He will complete 18 years as president and 34 years as a professor of New Testament at the seminary. Tiede is the longest-serving president of an ELCA seminary.

ELCA News Service
Maria L. Thompson is director of communication, Luther Seminary, St Paul, Minn.