James Nieman ’78

The Rev. Dr. James Nieman has been a professor for more than 20 years and has served as president of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago since 2012. He teaches about leadership in religious organizations, qualitative contextual research methods and various topics of practical theology, including homiletics.

His recent research focuses on how to discern and use local theological claims in congregations, and on the recovery of phronesis (practical judgment) within and for theological education.

Nieman has deep roots in the Pacific Northwest. After graduating from PLU, he earned his Master of Divinity degree from Wartburg Seminary and was ordained as a pastor in the American Lutheran Church in 1985. He earned his Ph.D. from Emory University.