The Rev. Ann Svennungsen

Denomination: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Organization: Texas Lutheran University

The Rev. Ann M. Svennungsen served as president of Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX. from 2007-2010.

For four years prior to that, she was the president of the Fund for Theological Education in Atlanta, the first woman to lead that organization in its 50-year history. She has a lifetime of commitment to pastoral ministry, having earlier served as senior pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, a 3,700-member congregation in Moorhead, Minnesota. During Rev. Svennungen’s seven years at Trinity, it was the largest ELCA congregation to be led by a woman senior pastor. She has also served pastorates in Iowa City, Iowa, and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Often invited to speak and write, she has given commencement addresses at Concordia College and Luther Seminary, preached at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, presented a 2004 Earl Lecture at Pacific School of Religion and published several articles and Bible studies.

Rev. Svennungsen was a member of the first Pastors Working Group of the Louisville Institute and currently serves on the Alban Institute Board of Trustees.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Concordia College in Minnesota, graduating summa cum laude. In 1981, she received her Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary, where she was a recipient of the Seminary Preaching Award.

Rev. Svennungsen is married to Dr. William Russell and is the mother of three children.

 

Day1 Weekly Programs by The Rev. Ann Svennungsen

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The Gift of Community

Sunday October 02, 2005
The Rev. Ann M. Svennungsen is the president of The Fund for Theological Education, headquartered in Atlanta, GA, and a Lutheran minister.

Sermon for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday July 18, 2004
The Rev. Ann Svennungsen, Lutheran pastor and president of The Fund for Theological Education in Atlanta, Georgia, takes a fresh look at the story of Mary and Martha in Luke's gospel.

Sermon for Trinity Sunday

Sunday June 06, 2004
The Rev. Ann Svennungsen, a Lutheran minister and president of The Fund for Theological Education in Atlanta, Georgia, explores the concept of the Trinity--and what it means for our relationship with God.

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

Sunday May 02, 2004
The Rev. Ann Svennungsen, the president of the Fund for Theological Education in Atlanta, GA, discusses our need for security and how to put our trust in God's love.

Video by The Rev. Ann Svennungsen

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The Place God Calls You - The Rev. Ann Svennungsen on 30 Good Minutes

Wednesday March 31, 2010
The Rev. Ann Svennungsen, President of Texas Lutheran University, explores what it means to have a vocation. It is more than a job; it is a call from God.

The Rev. Ann Svennungsen - A 30 Good Minutes Interview

Wednesday March 31, 2010
Hosts Lillian Daniel and Lydia Talbot in conversation with Ann Svennungsen, who says "We need to see vocation in the most broad terms. It's about God putting us on Earth for good reasons and us having a particular way to serve."