Dr Andrew Pfeiffer

About

Andrew grew up on a farm but wanted to be a pastor from an early age and was encouraged to do so by his parents. After studying a Bachelor of Arts at Adelaide University he entered what was then Luther Seminary to study a Bachelor of Theology and prepare for pastoral ministry. Andrew was ordained in December 1983. He is married to Sue and has three adult children.

Andrew teaches mainly in the areas of pastoral theology, missiology and catechesis. To balance life he enjoys gardening, movies and watching sport. It gives him great joy to see people grow in their understanding and practice of the Christian faith.

Special interests

• Pastoral care of pastors
• The place of catechesis in a Lutheran approach to mission
• Understanding vocation in Christian discipleship
• Integrated curriculum for pastoral preparation
• Fostering leadership development in neighbouring Lutheran churches

Teaching areas

• Administration and Leadership in Ministry Context
• Formula of Concord
• Foundations of Evangelism
• Leading Worship and Pastoral Acts in Ministry Context
• Lutheran Distinctives in Missiology and Evangelism  
• Lutheran Perspectives in Missiology
• Pastoral Care and Visitation in Ministry Context
• Pastoral Theology 1
• Pastoral Theology 2
• Supervised Theological Field Education
• Teaching the Christian Faith in Ministry Context
• The Body of Christ: Foundations of Pastoral and Congregational Formation
• The One Who Serves: Foundations of Worship and Spirituality
• Writing and Preaching a Sermon in Ministry Context

Community engagement

• ALC consultant to LCA SA District Aboriginal Ministry Committee

Qualifications in detail

• Bachelor of Arts (University of Adelaide, 1977)
• Bachelor of Theology (Luther Seminary, North Adelaide, 1983)
• Master of Sacred Theology (Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne USA, 1991)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne USA, 2002)

• Ordained 18 December 1983, St Peters, Moorook, SA

Papers and publications

Articles

2022

'Encouragement, humour and dialogue', Lutheran Theological Journal 56 no.1 (May), 42–43

'Ministry in the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand: organised and authorised', Lutheran Theological Journal 
56 no.2 (August), 58–62

'The specific ministry pastor in the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand', Lutheran Theological Journal 56 no.2 (August), 63–64

'Guilt, shame, and life in Christ', Lutheran Theological Journal 56 no.3 (December), 132–142

2019

‘Faith into context: Luther’s Small Catechism as a cross-cultural mission resource’. In Luther@500 and beyond: Martin Luther’s theology past, present and future, edited by Stephen Hultgren, Stephen Pietsch and Jeffrey Silcock, 203–220. Hindmarsh, SA: ATF Theology.

2017

‘The truth will set you free.’ Reformation sermon based on John 8:31–36. Concordia Pulpit Resources 27, no. 4.

‘Language matters: speaking the words of faith into daily life.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 51, no. 2 (Aug): 72–82.

‘The impact of the Lutheran Reformation on worship.’ Journal of Lutheran Mission 4, no. 2 (Aug): 25–35.

2014

‘A pastoral reflection about congregational life in the LCA.’ Logia: A Journal of Lutheran Theology 23, no. 1 (Epiphany): 23–26.

‘Christian vocation and the mission of God: a missing link?’ Lutheran Theological Journal 48, no. 3 (Dec): 160–171.

2013

‘Luther and the pastor at prayer.’ In You, My People, shall be holy: a Festschrift in Honour of John W Kleinig, edited by John R. Stephenson and Thomas M. Winger, 205–216. St Catherines, Ontario: Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary.

2012

‘Strengthening the congregation for service in the community.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 46, no. 3 (Dec): 199–207.

2010

‘Finding joy in the pastoral ministry.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 44, no. 3 (Dec): 164–170.

2009

‘Preparing to give a defence for the Christian hope.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 43, no. 2 (Aug): 101–109.

2008

‘Confirmation: an opportunity for faith formation.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 42, no. 1 (May): 30–40.

2004

‘To the font and from the font: baptism and mission.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 38, no. 1 (May): 27–39.

2000

‘A comparative study of Ephesians, Colossians and First Peter: implications for the evangelisation of adults.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 34, no. 2 (Aug): 61–72.

‘Christ and the Catechumenate.’ In Mysteria Dei: essays in honor of Kurt Marquart, edited by P.T. McCain and J.R. Stephenson, 207–224. Fort Wayne, IN: CTS Press.

1996

‘The Place of “Tentatio” in the formation of church servants.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 30, no. 3 (Dec): 111–119.

1994

‘Facing up to myths about worship.’ The Lutheran 27, no. 12 (Sept): 5–7.

1993

‘Being small in a big world: theological tensions faced by the small church.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 27, no. 2 (Aug): 65–72.

Presentations

In addition to many LCA and District pastors’ conferences and synodical convention presentations, the following is a selected sample of other presentations at seminars and conferences.

2021      

Webinar for FELCMS Lutheran Study Centre (Sabah), ‘Rediscovery of the Work of the Spirit of God in the Church: Part 1 – Bible Study and Christian Witness; Part 2 – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.’ 

Webinar for FELCMS Lutheran Study Centre (Sabah), ‘Law and Gospel: Nature and Purpose’.

ALC Festival of Learning, ‘Introduction to Worship.’

2020      

Webinar for FELCMS Lutheran Study Centre (Sabah), ‘The Augsburg Confession and the Mission of the Church.’

‘Healthy Church and Healthy Ministry’,  Healthy Church & Healthy Ministry: a Conversation with Rev Dr Andrew Pfeiffer - YouTube

2019

Two presentations at WA Church Worker’s Conference, re-worked and re-presented at Northern Illinois District General Pastor’s Conference, ‘Sound teaching: healthy church, Healthy ministry’, and ‘Sound minded endurance’. 

Presentation at FRM Aboriginal Pastors and Evangelists workshop on ‘Family Life’

2018

Three presentations at Western Australian District Mission and Ministry Conference, ‘The Spirituality of Ordinary Life’, ‘Faith Formation’, ‘Joy in Christian Service’. 

2017

Four consultations for the Lutheran Church of Australia on the ordination of women.

2016

Attendance and participation in Doxology Clergy Care Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

Presentation of paper at ALITE conference, Luther@500 in Melbourne, Victoria. ‘Faith into context: Luther’s Small Catechism as a cross-cultural mission resource’.

Keynote address at ILC World Seminaries Conference, Wittenberg, Germany, ‘The impact of the Lutheran Reformation on worship’.

2015

ALC/LCA Mission trip to Singapore and Malaysia—workshop with pastors in Kuala Lumpur on marriage and divorce.

2012

Response to ‘The mission of Lutheranism: our mission yesterday, today and tomorrow.’ International Conference on Confessional Leadership in the 21st Century, Atlanta, Georgia.

2009

Elective on Christian witness offered at Come Holy Spirit Mission Retreat, Horsham, Victoria.

2008

‘Preaching workshop and workshop on Christian vocation.’ Finke River Mission, Aboriginal Pastors and Evangelists in-service training, Hermannsburg, NT.

2007

‘Theological challenges—preparing pastors to shepherd God’s people: putting the faith into practice.’ Response paper, ILC Seminaries Conference, Pretoria, South Africa.

2006

‘Scripture, catechism and the liturgy in the formation of Christian discipleship.’ Finke River Mission Church Workers’ Seminar, Alice Springs, NT.

2005

‘ALC serving Lutheran schools.’ LCA National School Pastors’ Conference, Indooroopilly, Queensland.

2004

‘Expectations, mental health and the parish nurse.’ LCA Parish Nurses Conference, Adelaide, SA.

2002

‘Maintaining our faith journey.’ Lutheran Secondary Schools Teachers’ Conference, Cornerstone College, SA.

2001

‘Interpersonal relationships for team ministry in the congregation.’ LCA Lay Workers Conference.

‘Incorporating new members into the body: adapting the catechumenate for our context.’ LCNZ.

2000

‘Pro-life issues as an aspect of catechesis in the mission of the LCA.’ Lutherans for Life presentation.

1999

‘The Gospel according to Mark.’ In-service training for Finke River Mission with aboriginal pastors and evangelists.

1998

‘Pastor of the flock in the contemporary church context.’ Deaf Ministry Pastors’ Conference.