Respected lecturer retires after three decades of service

On 14 February, former colleagues, past students, family, friends and current work mates, gathered to farewell Rev Dr Andrew Pfeiffer, who has retired after 32 years of service. Also present at the gathering was Bishop Paul Smith, who presented Andrew with a certificate on behalf of the ALC Board, honouring his newly awarded status as emeritus lecturer.

Andrew’s association with the North Adelaide campus first began in 1975, when as a tertiary boarder, he came to live in Graebner Hall while studying a Bachelor of Arts (BA) at Adelaide Uni.

Three years later, having completed his undergraduate degree, Andrew entered his first year of study at Luther Seminary with the aim of becoming a pastor.

Following his ordination in December1983 Andrew served as pastor to the Holy Trinity, Hampstead congregation. It was during this time that the president of the church, who was a member of the congregation, recognized Andrew’s potential for further study and service, and as they say, the rest is history.

Having completed a Master of Sacred Theology through Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne USA in 1991, Andrew joined the faculty of Luther Seminary in 1992 aged 34.

His first two years were spent juggling part-time teaching with serving as pastor to the St Paul, Enfield congregation.

In 1997, Andrew took a year of study leave and headed back to America with his young family, where he enrolled as a student in the Doctor of Missiology program at Concordia Theological Seminary.

He completed his doctorate through Concordia in 2002 and in 2020, Concordia awarded Andrew an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his years of faithful service in the Lutheran Church of Australia.

In addition to teaching, Andrew served in a variety of roles over the years including: Director of Field Education, Head of the School of Pastoral Theology and Vicarage Coordinator.

His service to the wider church has included serving on:

• CTICR
• Board for support for pastoral ministry
• Lutheran Roman Catholic Dialogue
• SANT District Church Development Committee; and as
• Chair of General Pastors Conference.

From 2015-2021 he also served as the LCA Assistant Bishop, undertaking many hours of voluntary service on top of his regular duties at ALC.

Andrew is to be commended for his commitment and loyalty to ALC and the LCA, his contribution to the College’s pastoral program and for his efforts in preparing people both academically and vocationally for service in the church.

The ALC community wishes Andrew God’s continued blessings, as he embarks on this next chapter in his life.