The Reverend Dr. Jonathan Paul Strandjord

Trustee

Jonathan Strandjord is director for theological education for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Division for Ministry in Chicago. In this role, he directs programs that strengthen the capacity of ELCA seminaries to support and prepare future church leaders. As project director for the ELCA’s “Stewards of Abundance” project, Strandjord guides and administers a Lilly Endowment grant that addresses the financial challenges of seminary students and the affordability of a seminary education.

Dr. Strandjord chairs the ELCA Fund for Leaders in Mission, which distributes more than $500,000 annually in endowed scholarships. The vision of the Fund for Leaders is to provide support to all qualified students preparing for ordained or rostered lay ministry through one of the ELCA’s eight seminaries. Since 2000, the Fund for Leaders has awarded approximately 700 scholarships totaling over $5.9 million in support. Strandjord is a former professor at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, where he taught ethics and theology, and he has also served two extended co-pastorates in Wisconsin. He is the author of numerous published works on theological education and preaching and is a frequent speaker at seminaries and other higher education institutions throughout the U.S.

Strandjord earned his bachelor’s degree from Luther College, a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University