wfn.org | Menking Named Director of Lutheran Seminary Program in Austin

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 1, 2001

MENKING NAMED DIRECTOR OF LUTHERAN SEMINARY PROGRAM IN AUSTIN
01-210-MM*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Wayne L. Menking, Arlington, Texas, was
appointed director of the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest
(LSPS), Austin, Texas.  Menking's appointment was announced by the Rev.
Duane H. Larson, president, Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque,
Iowa, and the Rev. James Kenneth Echols, president, the Lutheran School
of Theology at Chicago (LSTC).  Wartburg and LSTC, both seminaries of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), co-sponsor LSPS, a
program focusing on preparing leaders for mission and the convergence of
cultures.
     Born in Sinton, Texas, Menking comes to LSPS from the Ministry
Development Center of the Southwest, where he has served as executive
director since 1996.  He succeeds the Rev. August E. Wenzel, Austin, who
served as director of the program for 13 years.
     "As a pastor, theologian and clinician, Menking brings many gifts
to the director's position at LSPS," said Larson in a news release.
"From his work with theological students and pastors, he is known as a
thoughtful, insightful and passionate person.  These gifts will serve
him well and we are profoundly grateful that Menking will be leading
LSPS."
     "Dr. Menking brings an impressive background and a wealth of
experiences to LSPS.  I look forward to working with him closely as
director of the program," Echols said in the release.
     Menking earned a bachelor's degree in 1971 from the Capitol
University, Columbus, Ohio.  In 1976 he earned a master of divinity
degree from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.  Capitol is one of 28 ELCA
colleges, Luther is one of eight seminaries of the ELCA.  He earned a
doctor of sacred theology degree from the San Francisco Theological
Seminary in 1990.
     After his ordination in 1975, Menking served the Nome-Fingal
Lutheran parish, Nome and Fingal, N.D.; Central Lutheran Church,
Menominee, Mich. ; and Trinity Lutheran Church, Forth Worth, Texas.
Menking and his wife Nancy have four children.
     LSPS was established in 1974.  It is located on the campus of the
Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest and next to the Austin
Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
-- -- --
*Michelle T. Mills is a senior at Bradley University, Peoria, Ill.  This
summer she is an intern with ELCA News & Information.

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