Biography
Professor of Theology,
Director of Staff Ministry Program,
Director of Congregational Assistant Program,
Assistant Coach, Football
Graduate Faculty
Office: WCC 127
DMin Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena CA: Practical Theology
STM Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon WI: Exegetical Theology
MDiv Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon WI: Pastoral Ministry
BA Northwestern College, Watertown WI: Biblical and Theological Languages
Dr. Lawrence Olson served as a parish pastor in Illinois from 1983 to 1993. Since then he has been a professor at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, where he teaches a variety of undergraduate courses in practical theology, Christian doctrine, and biblical history and literature, and the graduate course Foundations of Ministry. He also serves as the Director of the Staff Ministry Program and of the Congregational Assistant Program.
He also serves as MLC Assistant Football Coach
Other service to the church has included membership on the National Board of Christian Life Resources, the Wisconsin Lutheran College Board of Regents, and the WELS Commission on Youth Discipleship. He was a member and chairman of the Western Wisconsin District Commission on Evangelism. In addition, he served as the chairman for several national conventions for the WELS, two dealing with evangelism and one dealing with Sunday School. From 1989 through 1991 he was called as a two-thirds time Parish Consultant for the WELS Board for Parish Services, a role that he continued to fill on a part-time basis, through 2009, while that board was in existence.
After graduating from seminary Olson went on to earn two additional graduate degrees, a Master of Sacred Theology degree in exegetical theology and a Doctor of Ministry degree in practical theology with an emphasis in evangelism. His doctoral dissertation dealt with understanding and responding to inactive members in our congregations.
Olson’ wife, Mary, is a graduate of Dr. Martin Luther College; she has taught in both Lutheran and public schools, and currently serves as an Autism Resource Specialist for a special education district that provides services to seven area school districts and three charter schools. The Olsons have six children.
Martin Luther College – MLC staff ministry program
Mission and Ministry – Congregational assimilation
Mission and Ministry – Member ministry
Mission and Ministry – Ministry to inactive members
Mission and Ministry – Mission of the church
Mission and Ministry – Staff ministry
World Missions – Hong Kong
World Missions – India
World Religions – Buddhism
World Religions – Caribbean, Religion in
World Religions – Hinduism
World Religions – Islam
World Religions – Judaism
World Travel – Jamaica
