Jon V. Anderson, who is concluding his term as bishop of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA, has been named director of rural ministry at Luther Seminary beginning September 20. In this role, Anderson will be responsible for deepening and widening the seminary’s rural ministry efforts both in its academic programs and in the resources the seminary offers to pastoral and lay leaders through its Faith+Lead platform. He will report jointly to Vice President for Academic Affairs Joy J. Moore and Vice President of Innovation Dwight Zscheile.
Anderson earned his Master of Divinity degree at Luther in 1985. He brings years of rural ministry experience and connections to this new role, having grown up on a dairy farm and served as bishop of a primarily rural synod since 2003.
President Robin Steinke said, “We are thrilled that Pastor Jon will join the mission and educational ministry of Luther Seminary in this new way. Jon brings deep and broad experience which will help shape our institutional learning from and support of rural contexts and leaders.”