The CPT Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Dr. Joel Lawrence has been named as the new President of the Center for Pastor Theologians, effective October 20, 2023. Dr. Todd Wilson, who has served as CPT President for the past five years, is stepping down to invest more energy in serving pastors through his coaching ministry Integrated Leaders, as well as serve as Special Advisor to the President of Southern Wesleyan University. Dr. Wilson will stay on as an advisor to the CPT through the end of 2023, and then plans to join the CPT board in 2024.
On this transition, Dr. Wilson said, “I could not be more excited about the CPT and its bright future under the able leadership of my friend and colleague, Dr. Joel Lawrence. Joel has the right combination of gifts and experience to lead the CPT in this next season; more importantly, he’s deeply committed to, and embodies, the vision of the CPT to equip pastors to be theologians for today’s complex world. The CPT’s best days are ahead!”
As President, Dr. Lawrence will provide vision and oversight for the next stage of the CPT’s expanded programming. CPT board member and Wheaton College New Testament Professor Amy Peeler said: “We see the Lord’s providence in preparing Joel to take this role at this moment. He is a consummate and caring pastor, a respected scholar, and an adept leader. His passion will fan the flame for the good work of the CPT, helping it to burn brightly in our next stage of development.”
Dr. Lawrence, a founding Fellow of the CPT, has served as the Executive Director of the organization for the past three years. Prior to this role, Dr. Lawrence served as Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Bethel Seminary, Arden Hills, MN. He also served in pastoral ministry as Teaching Pastor at Calvary Church, White Bear, MN, and as Senior Pastor of Central Baptist Church, St Paul, MN.
Dr. Lawrence earned a BA from Texas A&M University, a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary, and an MPhil and PhD from Cambridge University, where his work focused on the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Dr Lawrence is the author or editor of numerous books and articles, including Bonhoeffer: A Guide for the Perplexed (T&T Clark, 2012), Confronting Racial Injustice: Theory and Praxis for the Church, co-editor with Gerald Hiestand (Cascade, 2022), and Reconstructing Evangelicalism, co-editor with Gerald Hiestand (Cascade, forthcoming). In addition, Dr Lawrence has an active preaching and teaching ministry in churches, seminaries, and conference settings around the world, and serves on the board of multiple organizations.
CPT co-founder and Board Chairman Dr. Gerald Hiestand said, “There is a very short list of people I would want to be the next President of the CPT; Joel is at the very top of that list. I’m excited to see how the CPT vision and programming develops under his leadership.”
Dr. Lawrence is stepping into this role at an exciting time in the history of the CPT. As president, Dr. Lawrence will guide the CPT into its next season of ministry—a time of expanded programing for the sake of encouraging more pastors in their work as pastor theologians. CPT theological mentor and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Professor Kevin Vanhoozer said, "I'm grateful for Todd's years of leadership, and confident that Joel Lawrence is the right person to take up the torch. His years teaching theology in the academy and serving as a church pastor are a tangible and visible expression of the vision of CPT."
The CPT remains committed to helping pastors grow in their identity as theologians, an identity that is inherent to their office. Dr. Lawrence said, “I am honored to be called to serve as president of the CPT. Having been part of the CPT from the beginning, the organization is dear to my heart. I believe the CPT has been raised up to serve a mission that is vital for the renewal of the church in our time. It is humbling to take on the responsibility of shepherding this mission, and take the baton from Todd, who I have deeply respected as a friend and colleague of many years. I look forward to serving the CPT network of fellows as we work together to achieve our common purpose of championing the vision of the pastor as theologian. I covet your prayers for this next season of our ministry. May the Lord continue to bless his church and her pastors through the ministry of the CPT.”
