Professor of Practical Studies
Rev. Dr. Larson is the 5th Presiding Pastor of The American Association of Lutheran Churches, elected at the 28th General Convention on June 23, 2022. Previously, Dr. Larson served as the Assistant Presiding Pastor and the Assistant to the Presiding Pastor. Dr. Larson was the keynote speaker at the 2021 TAALC Pastor’s Conference, a presenter at The AALC Hold the Line Conferences, and the 2021 TAALC Youth Conference.
Dr. Larson served as the first called pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church of Waseca, Minnesota (2010 to present). Founded in 2009, Christ the King Lutheran had grown from 45 to 300 baptized members during his call. Previously, Dr. Larson was called to two rural congregations in southern Minnesota, Le Sueur River Lutheran, and Vista Lutheran, from 2006 to 2010. Dr. Larson was ordained into the Office of Word and Sacrament on June 18, 2006 by the Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Before ordained ministry, Dr. Larson served as a commissioned officer in the U. S. Navy and retired as a Commander (O-5). He worked in various fields of disciple and industry including an instructor for the University of Minnesota Extension Service specializing in youth development and volunteerism, an Information Technology manager for corporations such as The Toro Company, Wam!Net, Skyline Display and Jostens, and founded and owned his own IT business.
In 2020, Dr. Larson received a Doctor of Ministry with an emphasis on evangelism from The Institute of Lutheran Theology, Brookings, South Dakota. His doctoral thesis, “Keeping the Fort – The Reclamation of Boys and Men in the Church,” focused on understanding the current environment for evangelizing men while relying on the Lutheran Confessions as the means to call men back to the church.
Dr. Larson and his wife, Connie (Sommers), live near Waseca, Minnesota, on a 150-year-old Minnesota farmstead. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren. He enjoys a passion for rural living and agriculture.
Education
- D.D. – American Lutheran Theological Seminary, 2022
- D.M. – Institute of Lutheran Theology, 2020
- M.Div. – Luther Seminary, 2006
- B.S. – University of Minnesota, 1985